A judge in Ensenada, Mexico, convicted three men of murdering Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16.
A judge in Ensenada, Mexico, has found three men guilty of murdering two Australian brothers and their American friend during a surfing trip in April 2024. The victims, identified as Callum Robinson, Jake Robinson, and Carter Rhoad, were killed in the state of Baja California. Their bodies were discovered in a well on May 3, 2024, sparking an international search and widespread grief.
Judge Raúl Hernández ruled on Friday that Jesús Gerardo García, known as "El Kekas," Irineo Francisco "N," and Ángel Jesús "N" were responsible for the murders. The defendants were also convicted of armed robbery and armed carjacking. They had been in custody for more than two years prior to the verdict.
The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office has requested an "exemplary sentence" of 210 years in prison for each defendant. However, The Guardian notes that the maximum sentence in Baja California is 60 years. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16.
The month-long trial included testimony from Ary Gisell Silva Raya, the former partner of García. According to the Associated Press, Silva Raya testified that García told her he approached the surfers’ tent carrying a 9mm pistol. She stated that the men threw their belongings toward him in an effort to stop the attack, and one begged to be spared, which García ignored.
Prosecutors reported that Silva Raya met the surfers on April 27, 2024, and "instigated one of her companions to rob them." She was found with one victim’s cellphone. In November 2025, Silva Raya pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Martin and Debra Robinson, the parents of the Australian brothers, attended the trial in Ensenada. Following the verdict, Martin Robinson described the decision as a significant moment in the family’s pursuit of justice. "No outcome can ever undo this tragedy, but we hope today marks an important step towards justice and allows us to continue honoring their lives and the extraordinary young men they were," Martin Robinson said, according to the Associated Press.
Debra Robinson spoke about the loss of her sons' future. "It's hard for a parent to lose a son, and we lost two sons," Martin Robinson said, as reported by the BBC. Debra Robinson stated that the murders had taken "the future we had imagined with them."
Carter Rhoad’s family participated in the hearing via video link. His fiancée, Natalie Weirtz, said, "The accused are guilty and must be punished so that no other family suffers the same pain."
The case drew significant attention due to the victims' nationalities and the location of the crime. Baja California is a popular tourist destination, and the violence shocked locals and visitors alike. State Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila stated at the time that "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." The conviction marks the conclusion of a high-profile trial that highlighted issues of safety for tourists in the region.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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