A Mexican judge sentences three men for the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend on a Baja California surfing trip

A Mexican judge sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each on Friday in Ensenada. The defendants were convicted for the 2024 murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad. The three friends were on a surfing trip in Baja California.

The three defendants, Jesus Gerardo, known by the alias “El Kekas” and accused of leading the attack, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus, were convicted of homicide, robbery with violence, and vehicle theft with violence. Their full names were not given for legal reasons. The guilty verdict came one week before sentencing. The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office had sought an exemplary sentence of 210 years in prison for each defendant, far exceeding the term ultimately imposed by the court.

The three friends travelled to Mexico in late April 2024 to surf at a beach in Punta San Jose, near the popular tourist city of Ensenada on Baja California’s coast. They were attacked on or around 27 April 2024 while camping at the remote beachside area. The killings occurred barely 36 hours after they crossed into Mexico from the US. It was an apparent botched robbery of their truck. The area is usually safe from the violence seen in other parts of Mexico, and the murders sent shockwaves around the world, particularly in Australia. Locals and tourists in Ensenada were disturbed at the apparent ease and pointlessness of the killings, and authorities could only say the three friends had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. A multi-day search followed. Authorities launched it with help from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation after the men were reported missing for several days. The bodies were found on May 3 in a well more than 15 metres deep, all with gunshot wounds to their heads. Their bodies had not been found for another week after the killings, and families were able to identify them at that point.

The victims

Callum Robinson, the older of the two brothers, was aged 33 and had moved to the US as a professional lacrosse player. He was remembered for his loving nature and passion for the environment, having been involved in coastal cleanups. Jake Robinson, aged 30, was a doctor set to take up a position at Geelong hospital after returning to Australia. He was remembered for his academic success, his passion for sport, particularly cricket and surfing, and his compassion. Carter Rhoad was also 30. The families established the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation to “help people live bigger, shine brighter and love harder in their honour.”

Families and the trial

Martin and Debra Robinson travelled from Australia to the port city of Ensenada for the trial, which began on 7 September. The families of the victims followed the sentencing hearing via video link. Martin Robinson said the “guilty verdict is a significant moment in our long and painful journey to seek justice for our beautiful sons, Callum and Jake, and their friend Carter Rhoad, whose lives were so cruelly taken from them in 2024.” Debra Robinson told the courtroom that her sons’ murders had taken “the future we had imagined with them.” Prosecutors requested damages of more than $100,000, but the judge ruled against it, saying compensation must be pursued through civil proceedings. In November, the girlfriend of alleged ringleader Jesus Gerardo was sentenced to 20 years in a separate trial after admitting involvement in the robbery.

The case exposed risks to foreigners visiting Mexico and impacted the region’s tourism industry. Tourism is vital to the regional economy. Ensenada has a reputation as a welcoming spot for surfers, and the region is known for its beautiful beaches. Antonio Otanez, president of the Baja California surfers’ association, welcomed the outcome, saying “justice has been served.” He acknowledged the killings caused a “major drop” in tourist visits, particularly by surfers. Local surfers called for greater security for residents and visiting tourists, citing other recent examples of violence in the state. Two Australian surfers, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were killed in 2015 while travelling through Sinaloa, and their bodies were later burned.