Family and friends of Cameron Robbins, the Louisiana teen believed to be dead after going overboard on a cruise in the Bahamas, said their final goodbyes to the recent high school graduate at a private service on Sunday.
The service was held at the Broadmoor United Methodist church in Baton Rouge, where family and friends dressed in black were seen entering the church and gathering outside in mourning.
Groups of teenagers, likely Robbins’ fellow high school classmates, were seen outside the church hugging, crying, and comforting one another in the wake of the tragedy that has rocked the community.
Spotted among the mourners were Robbins’ immediate family, including his mother Shari, father Will, brother Cole and sister Cassie. Robbins’ father, and his cousin Charlie Robbins, were listed on the funeral program as those delivering eulogies.
The Robbins family, including Cameron’s parents, grandmother and siblings arrive at his memorial on Sunday in Baton Rouge
Cassie Robbins (left) and Will Robbins arrive at Cameron Robbins’ final send off at the Broadmoor United Methodist Church
His parents described their eighteen-year-old as ‘intense and driven,’ in addition to being a ‘beloved grandson, son, brother and friend.’
‘Though he left this world far too soon, he lived a life full of good friends and family. He was funny and kind-hearted, but also intense and driven. He doted on his grandparents and he took pride in his work.
‘He will be missed desperately by his family and friends, who will carry their cherished memories of him to eternity.’
On Saturday, Robbins’ parents told the Post that they are still trying to comprehend the tragedy, which was caught on tape.
‘We are just mourning our son right now,’ said Shar. ‘We appreciate you calling. Maybe we will be able to talk more later,’ she told the outlet.
Robbins disappeared after jumping overboard while on a booze cruise with his classmates in the Bahamas. It is unclear what happened to him, but following a two-day search, he was ultimately designated ‘lost at sea,’ which is equivalent to a death certificate.Â
Prior to leaving for the Bahamas to join his classmates, Robbins had been on a weekend fishing trip on the Louisiana Gulf Coast with his father and brother celebrating his May 21st high school graduation.
Robbins, considered a standout baseball player, had been on the island for mere hours before he joined the party cruise – Blackbeard’s Revenge – alongside dozens of recent graduates.
Young mourners, some of them likely Cameron’s classmates, gather to comfort one another at the teen’s memorial service
Mourners line up to enter the Broadmoor United Methodist Church on Sunday for the funeral service of 18-year-old Cameron Robbins
Groups of mourners gather and comfort one another on Sunday as the community memorialized Cameron Robbins, who is presumed dead after going overboard on a booze cruise in the Bahamas
The front of the funeral program for Cameron Robbins, who was memorialized by his family and friends on Sunday
The program for Cameron Robbins’ memorial service, which took place at the Broadmoor United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 4
BATON ROUGE: The Robbins’ prepare to walk into the church for their son’s memorial
Cameron’s brother, Cole Robbins, at the service that served as the final farewell to his sibling
Members of the family walk together as they mourn the loss of Cameron
The situation turned dire when Robbins, toward the end of the cruise, was dared to jump off the ship, which was situated near the uninhabited Athol Island.
Terrifying footage captured the moment Robbins was flung a life preserver by one of his fellow graduates, only for him to swim away from help as a shadowy image circled beneath.
The ominous video has fueled speculation he may have been attacked by a shark, and with no trace of the youngster, the multi-agency search for him was ended after two days.
Experts, including a spokesperson for the United Cajun Navy, don’t believe ‘he came in contact with any type of shark or predatory marine life.’
‘And until we get better video or something more conclusive, that’s going to be our position,’ said Brian Trascher, vice president and spokesperson for the United Cajun Navy.
Other experts backed up Tracher’s position, noting that there was no sign of blood in the water where Cameron disappeared and that it is ultimately incredibly rare for a shark to consume a human.
‘The tendency more often is to take a bite, shake and decide this isn’t what they wanted,’ said Butch Hendrick, president and founder of public safety dive training company Lifeguard Systems.Â
Providing an update as the search was ended, Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) Commodore Raymond King confirmed that the area where Robbins went overboard is populated by a high number of sharks.
Before the operation was called off, the US Coast Guard deployed multiple search and rescue assets in response to obtaining assistance from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force.
The expansive search to find Robbins saw officials plot and scour a 325-square-mile area of the Caribbean Sea.
Robbins, who was a star baseball player at the University Lab School in Baton Rouge, had just graduated on May 21, just days before tragedy struck.
Cameron’s parents described their son as ‘intense and driven,’ in addition to being a committed and talented baseball playerÂ
Robbins was last seen jumping overboard near Athol Island, not far from where he had been staying on Paradise Island
The service was held at the Broadmoor United Methodist church in Baton Rouge, where family and friends dressed in black were seen entering the church and gathering outside in mourning
Mourners gather outside the church on Sunday for the private service
An obituary written by the family notes that Robbins was adopted shortly after his birth in November 2004, going on to participate ‘in any and every competitive activity that he could find, dominating numerous YMCA and church-league preschool team leagues.’
It says: ‘He eventually chose baseball as his first love. […] He was a tough player, battling back from multiple injuries, known to pitch through separated shoulders and broken hands. He hoped to continue his baseball career at the college level.’
‘He was also an avid LSU fan regularly attending football, basketball and baseball games. Finally, he loved all things edible, especially his mother’s red beans and his grandmother’s spaghetti and meatballs. He made frequent late-night trips to his family’s pantry, where he consumed large quantities of fruity pebbles and popcorn.’
The tribute adds: ‘Though he left this world far too soon, he lived a life full of good friends and family. He was funny and kind-hearted, but also intense and driven. He doted on his grandparents and he took pride in his work.
‘He will be missed desperately by his family and friends, who will carry their cherished memories of him to eternity.’
