Three men have been found guilty of murdering an American and two Australian brothers whose dream surfing vacation in Mexico ended in tragedy after they were robbed, shot and their bodies dumped down a remote well.
The verdict, delivered Friday, October 9, in the Mexican coastal city of Ensenada, brings a measure of justice to the families of Jake Robinson, 30, his older brother Callum Robinson, 33, and their American friend Carter Redd Rhoad, 30, more than two years after the three men disappeared while exploring the beaches of Baja California.
What was supposed to be an unforgettable adventure along Mexico’s Pacific Coast turned into an international murder investigation when the friends suddenly stopped communicating with their families in April 2024. Their bodies were eventually discovered at the bottom of a roughly 50-foot well, not far from where they had been camping.
Investigators determined that all three had been shot during what prosecutors described as a robbery that escalated into deadly violence.
Following a month-long trial, Judge Raúl Hernández found Jesús Gerardo García, known as “El Kekas,” Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús guilty of murder, armed robbery and armed carjacking.
The three men had been in custody since 2024 while prosecutors assembled evidence surrounding the killings, which shocked communities in Australia, the United States and Mexico.
For the Robinson family, who traveled from Australia to attend the proceedings, the guilty verdict marked the end of a painful legal battle but offered little relief from the heartbreak of losing two sons.
“They took our sons from our lives forever,” their mother, Debra Robinson, told reporters outside the courthouse.
Debra, who testified during the trial, said one of the most difficult parts of the ordeal was learning about the cruelty her sons and their friend endured during their final moments.
Her husband, Martin Robinson, welcomed the verdict as an important step toward accountability, thanking the investigators, legal teams and supporters who had helped the family throughout the process.
Yet the couple acknowledged that no punishment could restore the futures their sons had lost.
“I don’t feel any different today as I did yesterday or I will tomorrow,” Debra explained, reflecting on the reality that a guilty verdict could never bring Callum and Jake home.
The brothers, originally from Perth in Western Australia, had grown up sharing a love of sports, travel and adventure. Jake worked as a doctor, while Callum had established a life in San Diego, California, where he pursued a professional lacrosse career and developed close friendships within the local surfing community.
Their American friend, Carter Rhoad, also lived in San Diego and shared their enthusiasm for exploring the outdoors.
In late April 2024, the three headed south into Mexico for a surfing and camping trip along the rugged coastline of Baja California, a region known for its beautiful beaches and popular surf breaks.
Their destination included Punta San José, a remote stretch of coastline approximately 50 miles south of Ensenada.
The friends were last seen on April 27, and when they failed to return or contact their families, relatives became increasingly concerned.
Jake and Callum’s mother turned to social media, appealing for information about her missing sons and their friend. What began as a desperate search soon attracted international attention as Mexican authorities, volunteers and concerned residents joined efforts to locate the travelers.
Investigators eventually found the men’s abandoned campsite and a burned vehicle, leading them to suspect that the disappearance involved criminal activity.
On May 3, authorities discovered three bodies inside a deep well in a remote area near Santo Tomás.
The remains were later identified as those of Jake, Callum and Carter, confirming the families’ worst fears.
Authorities determined that the three men had suffered fatal gunshot wounds, while evidence gathered near their campsite helped investigators begin reconstructing the events surrounding their deaths.
Prosecutors eventually concluded that the friends had been targeted by criminals interested in stealing their pickup truck and other belongings.
According to the case presented in court, the suspects approached the campsite armed with a handgun, intending to rob the visitors. When the confrontation escalated, all three surfers were killed.
One of the most disturbing accounts emerged from testimony provided by Ary Gisell Silva Raya, the former girlfriend of García, who had already been convicted for her role in the crimes.
Silva Raya told the court that García admitted approaching the men’s tent with a 9mm pistol.
According to her testimony, the victims attempted to protect themselves by throwing their belongings toward the armed intruder. She also described how one of the men pleaded for his life during the confrontation.
The testimony provided a heartbreaking glimpse into the terror the three friends allegedly experienced during what should have been a peaceful night of camping.
Investigators also discovered that Silva Raya had possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the victims, evidence that helped connect her to the robbery.
In November 2025, she pleaded guilty to offenses involving violent robbery and vehicle theft and received a 20-year prison sentence.
Her conviction came nearly a year before the three men accused of carrying out the killings faced their own verdict.
Unlike Silva Raya, García and his two codefendants proceeded to trial, where prosecutors presented testimony and physical evidence intended to establish their roles in the murders.
Defense attorneys challenged aspects of the investigation and questioned the reliability of certain evidence, but Judge Hernández ultimately found the three defendants guilty.
The ruling represents a significant development in a case that drew attention not only because of the victims’ nationalities but also because it occurred in a coastal region frequently visited by American tourists.
Baja California shares a border with Southern California and attracts surfers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts who travel south seeking less crowded beaches and remote coastal scenery.
However, parts of the state have also struggled with organized crime, violent robberies and other security concerns.
The U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings for Baja California, advising Americans to reconsider travel because of crime and kidnapping risks. Travelers are also encouraged to exercise particular caution in remote areas, where emergency assistance may be difficult to obtain.
Authorities have not established that the three surfers were deliberately targeted because they were foreigners. Prosecutors maintained that the motive was robbery, with the deadly confrontation unfolding after the suspects attempted to steal their belongings and vehicle.
The case also demonstrated the cooperation required when crimes involve victims from multiple countries. Mexican investigators worked with international authorities, including Australian officials and the FBI, during the search and subsequent investigation.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade welcomed Friday’s verdict, describing it as an important step toward justice for the victims and their loved ones.
For the Robinson family, however, the experience has never been solely about the men responsible for the murders.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Debra and Martin have tried to keep attention focused on the lives of their sons and the happiness they brought to those around them.
Debra explained that she deliberately avoids dwelling on the identities of the convicted killers, unwilling to allow them to become the defining part of her family’s grief.
Instead, the Robinsons have established a foundation honoring Jake and Callum, hoping to encourage others to embrace life with the same enthusiasm, generosity and adventurous spirit that characterized the brothers.
The foundation aims to help people pursue meaningful experiences and opportunities while preserving the legacy of two young men whose lives ended far too soon.
That effort has provided the family with a way to celebrate their sons while continuing to navigate a loss that no court decision can repair.
The legal process is not yet finished. García, Francisco and Jesús are scheduled to return to court Friday, October 16, when Judge Hernández is expected to announce their prison sentences.
According to the Associated Press, Baja California prosecutors have requested sentences of 210 years for each defendant, reflecting the seriousness of the multiple convictions.
The judge has not yet determined the final punishment.
Although the guilty verdict brings the criminal proceedings closer to a conclusion, the families of all three victims must continue living with the absence of the men they loved.
Jake, Callum and Carter had traveled to Mexico looking for waves, adventure and time together as friends. Instead, their disappearance sparked a desperate search that ended with an unimaginable discovery.
More than two years later, three men have finally been held responsible for their deaths.
That country is so nasty, I don’t know why anyone would go there. Look at the spiks here in the US, most are criminals, now imagine an entire country of them.
Stay the hell out of Mexico.
THE FAMILIES NEED TO POOL THEIR MONEY AND PUT A HIT ON THESE ANIMALS WHILE THEY’RE IN THE MEXACIAN PRISON!!! THEN, YOU HAVE REAL JUSTICE!!!!