ENSENADA — A court in northern Baja California state found three men guilty Friday in the 2024 murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their U.S. friend Carter Rhoad. The victims were killed in an apparent botched robbery of their truck during a surfing trip.
The court identified the convicted men as Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús. Their full names were withheld for legal reasons. The three surfers, all in their early 30s, were found dumped down a well with gunshot wounds to their heads.
The verdict followed a month-long trial. Prosecutors had sought 150 years in prison for each defendant. The men face life imprisonment pending sentencing.
Debra Robinson, mother of Jake and Callum, delivered emotional testimony during closing arguments. "It had taken the future we had imagined with them," she told the courtroom. Her husband, Martin Robinson, said, "It's hard for a parent to lose a son, and we lost two sons."
Family members of Carter Rhoad joined the proceedings by video link.
The killings occurred barely 36 hours after the three men crossed into Mexico from the U.S. Their bodies were not found until approximately one week later, when families were able to identify them.
In a related development, the girlfriend of Jesús Gerardo, identified by his alias "El Kekas," was sentenced to 20 years in prison in November 2025 in a separate trial. She had admitted to involvement in the robbery that led to the murders.
The coastal area of Ensenada is generally considered safe compared to other regions of Mexico and maintains a reputation as a welcoming destination for surfers.
Following the incident, the local surfer community in Ensenada organized a paddle-out at a popular surfing spot, throwing flowers into the sea to honor the men. They called for increased security for both residents and visiting tourists, citing other recent incidents of violence in the state.
