A Mexican court has sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for murdering two Australian brothers and their American friend during a surfing trip to the country’s Pacific coast in 2024.
The verdict brings a major development in a case that sparked international outrage and raised concerns over the safety of foreign tourists in parts of Mexico. The sentences were handed down by a judge in Ensenada, a coastal city in the state of Baja California, on Friday. The three men had been found guilty a week earlier of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence.
The victims were Australian brothers Jake Robinson, 30, and Callum Robinson, 33, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30. The three had travelled to Mexico to enjoy surfing along the Pacific coast when they were killed in an incident authorities believe was linked to an attempted robbery.
The accused have been identified as Jesus Gerardo, known by the nickname “El Kekas”, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus. Their surnames have not been fully disclosed in official reporting. Gerardo was accused of leading the attack, while the other two men were also convicted for their roles in the killings.
According to investigators, the victims were camping in a remote coastal area near Punta San Jose, close to Ensenada, when they were attacked on April 27, 2024. The attackers were believed to have targeted their pickup truck for its tyres and other parts. The situation turned violent when the surfers resisted, leading to the fatal shootings. The three men were reported missing after the incident, prompting a search that continued for several days.
Authorities, assisted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, joined efforts to trace their whereabouts. Their bodies were eventually discovered on May 3 in a well more than 15 metres deep. All three had suffered gunshot wounds to the head. The killings drew widespread condemnation in Australia and the United States, with the deaths of the two brothers particularly affecting their family and the Australian surfing community.
Their parents, Martin and Debra Robinson, travelled from Australia to Ensenada to attend the trial, which began on September 7. Following the guilty verdict, the family described the decision as an important moment in their prolonged search for justice, while acknowledging that no court ruling could reverse the loss of their sons and their friend.
The family has also established the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation to preserve the brothers’ legacy and support causes associated with their lives. The case has also drawn attention to the impact of violent crime on tourism in Baja California, a region known for its beaches and surfing destinations.
The killings reportedly affected visitor confidence, particularly among surfers who regularly travel to the area. Antonio Otañez, president of the Baja California surfers’ association, welcomed the sentencing and said the verdict marked an important step towards justice.
He also acknowledged the damage the incident had caused to the region’s reputation as a destination for international visitors. Baja California has faced persistent challenges involving organised crime and drug trafficking. Although such criminal activity does not generally target tourists, the murders highlighted the risks visitors can face when travelling through isolated areas.
The lengthy prison terms mark the latest stage in a case that has remained in the public eye since the three men disappeared during what was intended to be a recreational trip. The convictions and sentencing have provided a legal outcome in the killings, even as the tragedy continues to leave a lasting impact on the victims’ families and the wider surfing community.
