Three men convicted over fatal attack on Australian surfers in Mexico

During a trial in Ensenada, judicial authorities found three men guilty of murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 32 and 34, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, 29, who were on a surf vacation in Mexico in 2024.

The court heard the victims were shot in the head and left inside a drainage well after an attempt to rob their rented truck in a secluded beach area. Their bodies were discovered a week later, allowing families to identify them.

The deaths sent shockwaves through Australia and the surfing community, highlighting how residents and tourists can become unwitting targets in a country still coping with high levels of violence.

Parents Martin and Debra Robinson attended every session of the month‑long hearing and delivered emotional testimony, while relatives of Rhoad joined via video link. The families expressed gratitude for the international support that followed the tragedy.

The prosecution had sought 150 years in prison for each defendant, but the judge handed down separate sentences of a combined 45 years in total. A separate, related trial earlier last year saw Jesús "El Kekas" Gerardo’s girlfriend receive a 20‑year term for her involvement.

Local surfers in Ensenada gathered to memorialise the victims by paddling in the waves and floating flower garlands, demanding tighter security for both residents and visitors. The region’s economy depends heavily on tourism, and authorities have said the state will continue to protect visitors.

Baja California governor Marina del Pilar Ávila, speaking after the verdict, stated that the state would remain a safe destination for international travelers and offered condolences to the families of the victims.