Mexico sentences three men to 158 years each for murders of Robinson brothers and American friend

ENSENADA, Mexico — A Mexican judge on Friday sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the killings of two Australian brothers and their American friend during a 2024 surf trip in Baja California, Reuters reported, citing a judicial source.

The defendants were declared guilty a week ago of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence, crimes committed against Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad.

The trial in the coastal city of Ensenada concluded on 9 October, when Judge Raul Hernandez found Jesus Gerardo Garcia, known as “El Kekas”, Irineo Francisco “N” and Angel Jesus “N” responsible for the murders, according to Al Jazeera. The three had been in custody for more than two years.

Callum and Jake Robinson, aged 30 and 33, travelled to Baja California in April 2024 to surf and camped near Ensenada. They were reported missing shortly after arriving in the town of Punta San Jose, about 80 kilometres away; their bodies were found on 3 May in a well, all with gunshot wounds to their heads.

Father Martin Robinson welcomed the guilty verdict a week ago, saying: “Today’s 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.”