Man’s body recovered in Mexico

The body of a 32-year-old Edmonton man who died Thursday when he was swept into the ocean just outside Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, was found Sunday, a friend said.

Kelly Callin was standing on some rocks taking photographs Thursday at about 5 p.m. when a wave caught him and pulled him into the water, said Joel Johnson, who has played in a reggae and soul band with Callin for the past six years.

Authorities launched a search that included boats and aircraft. Callin was located Sunday morning on a beach, Johnson said.

“There’s a sense of relief to have some kind of closure to it,” Johnson said.

“The waiting for days to hear back from the coast guard and that has been a nightmare. … It’s been tough.”

Callin was on vacation with a musician friend at a surf camp when he died just one day after arriving in Mexico.

He planned to celebrate his first wedding anniversary on July 14 with his wife Tarah Callin, Johnson said.

“She’s incredibly strong. She’s the one who’s holding everybody together,” he said. “She’s amazing.”

Callin played lead guitar and sang backup for The Soulicitors.

He was one of the band’s founding members and booked the gigs and handled promotions.

He was athletic and loved a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer and cycling, Johnson said.

“Kelly was the most genuine, honest, sincere person I’ve ever met. He was just an awesome person,” Johnson explained.

“He just loved life and embraced every single moment of it.”

Many people are contacting the band as well as Callin’s family to express their condolences, Johnson said.

The family is now making arrangements to bring Callin’s body back from Mexico and organize a funeral. Callin’s younger brother is flying to Edmonton from his home in Thailand.

“You really don’t notice how big an impact someone has on your life until they’re gone,” Johnson said.