When talented American baseball player Cameron Robbins jumped off a sunset cruise ship in the Bahamas, it was in response to a late night dare that on the face of it appeared harmless.
But fast forward seven days and it has become clear that the 18-year-old star athlete’s split second decision had deadly consequences as he slipped into the dark waters never to be seen again.
Cameron, who had innocently been celebrating his high school graduation on the idyllic Caribbean island, has not been found since a fun-filled pirate-themed boat trip descended into chaos on May 24. His devastated parents, who travelled to the Bahamas but will now return to the family’s home in Louisiana, say they will ‘mourn his loss’.
The teenager, described as a ‘fierce competitor’ by his baseball coach, was last seen in a haunting 20-second video, splashing around in the pitch black waters just a few feet away from the boat after jumping overboard without a life jacket on, wearing only his trunks. Seconds later, he vanishes.
It is not clear what caused Cameron to drift away into the distance instead of moving towards the life ring thrown at him or trying to swim back towards the boat.
The US and beyond has been left desperate for answers over how this light-hearted dare so quickly turned into a mysterious tragedy.
Star athlete Cameron Robbins (pictured) was on a trip to the Bahamas with his classmates who were celebrating finishing high school in America
Cameron is a highly-rated high school baseball player. His family are still holding out hope for him
The teen (left) has not been seen since a harmless pirate-themed boat trip descended into chaos on May 24
In an Instagram photo taken just days before his disappearance, Cameron was seen smiling at his graduation – one of the biggest days of celebrations before adulthood in America.
He and his classmates had only arrived on the island hours before the boat excursion. They had been staying at the Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, the Bahama’s capital, according to one parent. The ship was near Athol Island, an uninhabited island located northeast of Nassau.
Cameron had been on board with several other friends who were on the trip celebrating their recent graduation from a high school in Louisiana’s capital Baton Rouge.
They were on top of the world, having just graduated from the University Laboratory School where Cameron was recognised as a star athlete by his friends and teachers.
His U-High baseball coach Justin Morgan said of him: ‘Cameron is a kid who is truly loved by his teammates, teachers, and fellow classmates.
‘He is a fierce competitor on the baseball field. He is a hard worker both on and off of the playing field.
‘Our school community is struggling right now but hoping for the very best.
‘Our thoughts and prayers have been and will remain with the Robbins family during this difficult time.’
The young students were celebrating on the Blackbeard’s Revenge sunset cruise ship which had been designed to look like a pirate ship.
Cameron (pictured left) was described as a ‘fierce competitor’ by his baseball coach in the US
The young students were celebrating on the Blackbeard’s Revenge sunset cruise ship which had been designed to look like a pirate ship
Pictured: Robbins who had just graduated from high school in the days leading up to the trip with mother and brother
Witnesses to the tragic chain of events have claimed that he was acting on a dare when he jumped overboard at 11.30pm – never to be seen again.
Today, speculation grew that the teenager was killed by a shark after a shadowy image was captured metres away from him, potentially triggering him to swim away. The Bahamas is home to highly aggressive sharks including tiger and bull sharks.
On Sunday, fears for Cameron’s life grew after his family were dealt a heart-breaking blow that the Coast Guard had called off the 325-square-mile search for the teenager.
For now, that short yet devastating video is what people are confronted with when they scour the internet to see if Cameron has been located.
What started out as an innocent dare with screams of ‘This kid f****** jumped off!’ soon turned into ‘Grab the buoy.. grab the buoy’.
In calling off a search for the young man on Sunday, Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas said: ‘U.S. Coast Guard District Seven deployed multiple search and rescue assets in response to an agency assistance request from our partners in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
Witnesses to the tragic chain of events have claimed that he was acting on a dare when he jumped overboard at 11.30pm – never to be seen again. The boat trip can be seen left, while Cameron’s last sighting is right
The latest theory to emerge is that Cameron was killed by a shark after this shadowy figure was spotted in the video
The 325-square-mile search for Cameron Robbins, 18, is plotted here. It was tragically called off on Sunday
‘Our Coast Guard command centre and aircrews based in Miami supported RBDF search and rescue efforts since the initial report Wednesday evening, and continued through Friday evening.
‘We were informed by the RBDF this evening that they were suspending the active search efforts pending further developments, and were not requesting further Coast Guard assistance after notifying the Robbins family.
‘We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends.’
After the search for the 18-year-old was called off, heart-breaking footage of students and parents praying in a circle outside the Louisiana school emerged.
In the aftermath of his disappearance, a GoFundMe was set up to support his family.
In it, they described his mother as a kind and devoted teacher – who is going through an ‘unimaginable situation.’
The fundraiser read: ‘Cameron’s mother, Shari is an indescribably amazing teacher and her kindness and devotion has helped countless children throughout her career.
‘Please donate as you can and share this fundraiser to support her and her family through this unimaginable situation.’
As time ticks on, his devastated family continue to hope: ‘Please continue to pray for Cameron, Cassie, Cole, Shari and Will. My heart is so heavy.’
University Lab School Director Kevin George said Cameron attended the school for all thirteen years of his education. They are ‘praying’ for his safe return.
Pictured: Robbins had been spending time with friends in Nassasu, Bahamas, and was staying at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island
An outpouring of emotion has followed in the days of his disappearance. Pictured: His school friends pray in a circle together following the tragedy
In a hopeful statement, Mr George said: ‘The University Lab School Community is praying for the best possible outcome of this situation.
‘I have been in touch with Cameron’s family and at this time, authorities are still searching for him in the Bahamas.
‘In times like these, we must come together and support each other. Words fall short of expressing the worry our entire school community is feeling.
‘Extra counsellors will be available on campus to speak with students and faculty who are struggling to process this news.
‘Our thoughts are with the Robbins family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts as well.’
The last statement by the devastated family, given to local media, reads: ‘The Bahamas government has called off the rescue for Cameron and we are returning to Baton Rouge.
‘We want to thank the Bahamas government, the US Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy, and Congressman Garrett Graves for everything they have done for us.
‘In this time of grief we thank our family, friends and well wishers for granting us the privacy we need to properly remember our son and mourn his loss.’
