Three men in Mexico have received lengthy prison sentences after being convicted of killing two Australian brothers and their American friend at a well-known surfing destination.
Jake Robinson, 30, his brother Callum Robinson, 33, and their American companion Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were visiting Mexico’s Pacific coast for a surfing trip when they were fatally shot in Baja California.
The three friends were camping near a remote beach when they were attacked in April 2024.
Their bodies were discovered several days later in a shaft near a cliff, each bearing gunshot wounds to the head. Their vehicle was subsequently found burned out in the Santo Tomás area.
Jesus ‘El Kekas’ Gerardo, described in court as the alleged ringleader, was convicted last week alongside Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus.
A week after the guilty verdicts, a Mexican court sentenced each man to 158 years and nine months in prison.
According to ABC News, the defence has indicated that it plans to appeal the convictions and sentences.
Jake and Callum’s parents, Debra and Martin Robinson, held hands in court as the verdicts were delivered on October 9.
Australian brothers Jake Robinson, 30, and Callum Robinson, 33, pictured with their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were killed during a surfing trip to Mexico’s Pacific coast
Jesus ‘El Kekas’ Gerardo, described in court as the ringleader, was convicted last week along with co-defendants Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus
The three defendants were each sentenced to 158 years and nine months in prison, although their lawyers have indicated they may appeal. Angel Jesus is pictured
In a victim impact statement delivered on October 8, Debra Robinson urged the court to impose the maximum possible sentences.
“No sentence can bring Callum and Jake back; nothing can undo what has happened, but accountability matters,” she said.
The Robinsons attended every day of the trial and sat only metres from the defendants during six hours of closing arguments before the verdict was reached.
When the guilty verdicts were announced, Ms Robinson wept and embraced an Australian consular representative.
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Prosecutors told the court that the three tourists were killed during a robbery that spiralled out of control. Defence lawyers, however, argued that the evidence was not strong enough to establish the men’s guilt.
The judge rejected that argument, finding that multiple witnesses had delivered testimony that was both credible and consistent.
One of those witnesses was Ari Gisell, the former girlfriend of Jesús Gerardo, who had already been jailed for helping instigate the robbery connected to the murders.
Gisell told the court that Gerardo had described the victims begging for their lives before they were killed, and later mocked the men for crying.
Debra Robinson, the mother of Jake and Callum, called for maximum prison sentences during her victim impact statement on October 8
Police alleged the trio’s vehicle (pictured) was later found burnt-out in the Santo Tomás area
Debra and Martin Robinson (pictured with their sons) had attended every day of the trial and sat through six hours of closing arguments before the conviction
Jake Robinson, 30, was a doctor who was due to take up a position at a hospital in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, after returning to Australia.
His older brother Callum, 33, was a professional lacrosse player based in San Diego, in the US.
Mr Rhoad worked at a technology services company and was set to get married in August 2024.
Three wooden statues were installed overlooking the North Baja coast to commemorate the Perth brothers and their American friend.
The Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation said in 2025 that the ‘unveiling ceremony brought together surfers, representatives from the Australian embassy and the Baja California governor’s office’.
‘After a few words were shared, the community honoured the boys with a traditional paddle out,’ the statement said.
Although Baja California is a hotspot for cartel activity, authorities say the killings were not tied to organised crime.
More to come.