Australian men with ties to Edmonton feared missing in Mexico

EDMONTON — Family and friends of two Australian men who had been living in Edmonton are worried for their safety as they have not been heard from in more than a week.

Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, who lived and worked in Edmonton during the summer construction season for the past few years, were last heard from on Friday, Nov. 20.

Lucas’ girlfriend, Josie Cox, said the last time she spoke to him he said they planned to take a Friday afternoon ferry from La Paz to Topolobampo, then drive to Guadalajara. They were on they way to visit Coleman’s girlfriend.

Cox said Lucas and Coleman, both 33, were supposed to arrive at a hotel in Guadalajara on Saturday, Nov. 21 but they never arrived.

“Me and Dean speak every day, pretty much,” said Cox. “Sometimes we do go a few days without speaking but I’m normally told about that.”

Cox said the men left Canada for Mexico in a blue and white caravan to go on a surfing trip. She said they are both experienced travellers.

“Since he was 17 he has been travelling non-stop,” Cox said of Lucas. “I don’t even know if he’s ever been back to Australia to live permanently since then.”

Cox said Lucas and Coleman are complete opposites, but they compliment each other very well.

“He (Dean) is shy. He likes to kind of take a step back and watch a scenario,” Cox said. “He’s a listener… He’s really calm and I’d say he’s very sensible.”

Cox describes Coleman as the life of the party.

“He makes everyone laugh, he’s got some good jokes. His stories are unbelievable,” she said. “He’s very caring, very thoughtful, as is Dean. But they’re so both opposites in their sensitivities that they really are a good match. This is why they’re good friends because they can balance each other out.

“They’re such good guys and such good people.”

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A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade emailed the following statement to Global News.

“The families and partners are aware the van in which they were travelling has been located by Mexican authorities and that a tragic event has occurred. The families hold deep fears for the safety of their sons but stress that they are still waiting for details to be confirmed.”

Cox said she has been in communication with the Australian Embassy in Mexico and they are working with her to find out more information. Cox said she and the men’s families are waiting to hear from the embassy on what their next steps should be before they head to Mexico.

Cox will keep people updated on her Facebook page. She’s also asking anyone with information to contact her or an Australian embassy.