Key facts
- Three men were found guilty of murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad in Baja California in April 2024.
- The convictions are for aggravated homicide and robbery.
- The victims were on a surfing trip and were attacked while camping.
- Their bodies were found in a clifftop shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads.
- The parents of the Australian brothers attended the trial in Ensenada.
- A fourth accomplice, Ari Gisell Garcia Cota, was previously sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Three men have been convicted of the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend in Mexico's Baja California state, a court source told Reuters. The verdict was delivered on Friday by a Mexican judge.
Jesus Gerardo, known as “El Kekas,” along with Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus, were found guilty of aggravated homicide and robbery. Prosecutors had sought sentences of up to 150 years for the defendants. The sentencing is expected in the coming days.
Australian brothers Jake Robinson, 30, and Callum Robinson, 33, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were on a surfing trip when they were attacked in April 2024. They had been camping in a remote beachside area. Their bodies were discovered several days later in a clifftop shaft, showing gunshot wounds to their heads.
The parents of the Australian brothers, Debra and Martin Robinson, traveled from Australia to attend the trial in Ensenada. Debra Robinson testified on the final day, stating, “They took our sons from our lives forever. What hurts us most is that, in their final hours, they were treated with such cruelty.” Martin Robinson described the murders as “hell.”
Rhoad’s mother and fiance also participated in the hearing via video call, with his fiance Natalie Weirtz stating, “The accused are guilty and must be punished so that no other family suffers the same pain.”
A fourth accomplice, Ari Gisell Garcia Cota, 23, was previously sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the killings. Baja California is known for its high levels of crime, though tourist-targeted attacks are less common.