Three men convicted of murdering Australian brothers in Mexico

Three men have been found guilty of murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their US friend Carter Rhoad, who were killed during a surfing trip in Mexico’s Baja California state in 2024. The verdict was delivered on Friday at the trial court in the coastal town of Ensenada.

What were the three men convicted of?

The court heard that the three tourists, all in their early 30s, were killed in an apparent botched robbery of their truck in a secluded beach area. Their bodies were later found dumped down a well, with gunshot wounds to their heads. The killings happened barely 36 hours after the men crossed into Mexico from the United States, and their bodies were not found for another week, when their families were able to identify them.

Cases involving foreign nationals accused or killed abroad have drawn similar attention elsewhere, including the arrest of a US marine in Japan on suspicion of a murder in Okinawa.

What sentence do the convicted men face?

The three defendants were identified only as Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús; their full names could not be given for legal reasons. They have not yet been sentenced, but are likely to spend the rest of their lives in prison. During the month-long trial, prosecutors sought 150 years in prison for each of the three men.

In a separate trial, the girlfriend of the alleged ringleader, Jesús Gerardo, alias “El Kekas”, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting involvement in the robbery.

What did the victims’ families say?

Debra Robinson, the mother of Jake and Callum, told the courtroom that the murders had taken “the future we had imagined with them”. Her husband, Martin Robinson, said: “It’s hard for a parent to lose a son, and we lost two sons.” Relatives of Carter Rhoad joined the trial by video link.

Speaking to media outside court a week before the verdict, Debra Robinson said the couple were “deeply grateful” to Australians for the outpouring of support they had received. The killings have been followed closely in Australia, where courts have also handled other prominent cases, including the jailing of former bishop Christopher Saunders for sex abuse.

How did Ensenada respond?

Surfers in Ensenada turned out in force to honour the men, paddling out at a popular surfing spot and throwing flowers into the sea. Local surfers also called for greater security for residents and visiting tourists, citing other recent examples of violence in the state.

Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila said: “Baja California is and will continue to be a state with safe tourism for the thousands of people who visit us from the rest of the country and the world.” She said she sent her condolences and solidarity to the families. Tourism is a key part of the regional economy in Baja California.

Frequently asked questions

Who were the three men convicted of the Mexico surfer murders?

They were identified in court only as Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús, because their full names could not be given for legal reasons. They have not yet been sentenced.

Where were Jake and Callum Robinson and Carter Rhoad killed?

The three tourists, all in their early 30s, were killed in Mexico’s Baja California state in 2024 during a surfing trip. Their bodies were found dumped down a well with gunshot wounds to their heads, about a week after the killings.

What sentence could the convicted men receive?

They have not yet been sentenced, but are likely to spend the rest of their lives in prison. Prosecutors had sought 150 years in prison for each of the three defendants.

Who else was sentenced in connection with the case?

The girlfriend of the alleged ringleader, Jesús Gerardo, alias “El Kekas”, was sentenced in a separate trial to 20 years in prison after admitting involvement in the robbery.

With reporting from BBC News.

Stock image, not from the events described. Globe World — Jo%E3o%20Silas / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)