Three Sentenced for Surfers’ Murders in Mexico

Three Mexican men have each been sentenced to 158 years and nine months in prison for the 2024 murders of Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend, Carter Rhoad. The victims were killed during a surfing trip in Baja California. A judge-only trial found Jesús Gerardo, known as “El Kekas”, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús guilty of aggravated homicide and related offences. Prosecutors said the men were murdered during a robbery that went wrong; the defence argued that the evidence was insufficient to prove the case. Judge Raul Hernandez Arellano said the attack was especially serious because the tourists were unarmed, were targeted at a remote location at night, and the perpetrators had time to consider their actions. The men were also ordered to pay compensation: 1,980,728 pesos for the murders of the Robinson brothers and 549,550 pesos for Rhoad’s murder. Rhoad’s mother, Page, thanked the judge, saying that although nothing could bring her son back, she was glad other families would not become victims of the men’s crimes. The defence has said it intends to appeal and has 10 days to do so. Jake, 31, had travelled to California to visit Callum, 32, before the pair went to Mexico. Jake was a doctor preparing to begin a new job at a Geelong hospital; Callum had moved to the United States to pursue lacrosse. Their family and friends reported them missing after they could not be contacted and failed to check into their accommodation. The bodies of all three men were later found in a well on a remote property. The case drew international attention and highlighted crimes against tourists in Mexico. Jake and Callum’s parents, Debra and Martin Robinson, attended the trial and said they were satisfied with the sentences. They acknowledged that no punishment could undo their loss, but said they took some comfort in knowing the men would be removed from society and hoped the outcome would help them take a small step forward.

A Mexican judge has sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad. The three victims, all in their early 30s, were on a surfing trip in Baja California in 2024 when they were killed in what prosecutors described as an apparent, botched attempt to rob their truck on a secluded beach. Their bodies were discovered a week later in a well, each with gunshot wounds to the head. The men were found guilty last week; their full names were withheld for legal reasons, and they were identified in court as Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús. The girlfriend of Jesús Gerardo, described as the alleged ringleader and known as “El Kekas,” was sentenced separately to 20 years in prison in November after admitting involvement in the robbery. The killings drew international attention and shocked people in Australia, as well as residents and visitors in Ensenada, a town known as a welcoming destination for surfers. The article says the murders highlighted the persistence of extreme violence in Mexico, even in places perceived as safer than other parts of the country. Authorities’ explanation was that the surfers were killed because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, barely 36 hours after crossing into Mexico from the United States. Their families identified them after the bodies were found. Local surfers called for stronger security for residents and tourists, citing other recent violence in the state. Tourism is an important part of Baja California’s regional economy.

Three Mexican men were sentenced to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the 2024 murders of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Redd Rhoad. A judge in Ensenada, Baja California, imposed the sentences for murder, robbery with violence, and vehicle theft with violence, one week after the men were found guilty. Antonio Otañez, head of the Baja California surfers’ association, said justice had been served, while noting that the killings had sharply reduced tourist visits, especially by surfers. The three friends traveled to Baja California in late April 2024 to surf near Punta San José. They camped on the beach on April 27. According to the article, attackers confronted them in the early morning, shot them, and left their bodies in a well more than 50 feet deep. Their bodies were found on May 3, after several days of searching. Authorities arrested Jesús Gerardo García, known as “el Kekas,” on May 5 and identified him as the suspected gunman. García’s former partner, Ary Gisell Silva Raya, and alleged accomplices Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N” were also arrested. Silva Raya, found with one victim’s cellphone, took an abbreviated trial and was sentenced in November to 20 years for aggravated robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence. State prosecutor María Elena Andrade said the attackers intended to steal the victims’ pickup-truck tires. She alleged the victims resisted and that the attackers shot the person who first resisted before killing the other two. The case drew attention to safety risks for foreign visitors and harmed the image of a country reliant on tourism.

A Mexican judge sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the 2024 killings of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend, Jack Rhoad. The men were convicted of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence. The court also ordered them to compensate the victims’ families. A fourth defendant, Gisell Silva, had previously received a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to robbery-related charges. The three friends were camping and surfing near Punta San Jose, south of Ensenada, when they went missing in late April 2024. After a search that included FBI assistance, their bodies were found on May 3 at the bottom of a well. Each had been shot in the head, and their burned pickup truck was discovered several kilometres away. The victims were Jake, 33, Callum, 30, and Rhoad, 30. Family members attended the sentencing remotely. Rhoad’s mother, Page, said that the loss of a child could never be answered by justice, but expressed relief that the convicted men would not hurt anyone else. Jake and Callum’s parents, Martin and Debra Robinson, had followed the trial remotely after returning to Australia. They described the deaths and the proceedings as “hell” and “incredibly difficult.” The article also notes that although the Ensenada area is considered relatively safe, Baja California is among Mexico’s most violent states. After the killings, the US State Department advised Americans to reconsider travel to the state because of crime and kidnapping risks.

A Mexican judge sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for killing Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during a surf trip in Baja California in April 2024. The men were found guilty a week before sentencing of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence. The three victims were camping in a remote beachside area near Ensenada when they were attacked in what authorities suspect was a robbery. Their bodies were discovered days later in a clifftop well, each with gunshot wounds to the head. One defendant, Jesus Gerardo, known as “El Kekas,” was accused of leading the attack; his surname has not been disclosed for legal reasons. The other convicted men were identified as Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus. The victims’ families attended the sentencing hearing by video link. Prosecutors sought more than $100,000 in damages, but the judge ruled that compensation would have to be pursued through civil proceedings. The Robinson brothers’ parents, Martin and Debra, travelled from Australia to Ensenada for the trial, which began on 7 September. They have established the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation to honor their sons. Callum, a professional lacrosse player who moved to the United States, was remembered for his loving nature and environmental concern, including participation in coastal cleanups. Jake was a doctor due to begin work at Geelong hospital after returning to Australia, and was remembered for his academic achievement, love of sport, cricket and surfing, and compassion. The article notes that Baja California is among Mexico’s most violent states, affected by organized crime and drug trafficking, though cartel activity does not usually affect tourists. It also recalls the 2015 killings of Australian surfers Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman in Sinaloa; their bodies were later burned.