Three Men Found Guilty of Murders of Australian Surfer Brothers and US Friend in Mexico
A Mexican judge has convicted three men for the 2024 killings of two Australian brothers, Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend Carter Rhoad. The victims were attacked during a surfing trip in Baja California state in what was suspected to be a robbery. Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus were found guilty following a trial held in Ensenada.
Key points
- Three men convicted of the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and an American friend in Mexico.
- The victims were Jake and Callum Robinson and Carter Rhoad.
- The attack occurred in Baja California state in April 2024 during a suspected robbery.
- Defendants Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus were found guilty.
What Happened
A Mexican judge convicted three men of the 2024 murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad. The three victims were on a surfing trip to Mexico's Pacific coast when they were shot in Baja California state during a suspected robbery.
Jesus Gerardo, also known as El Kekas, along with two other defendants, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus, were found guilty.
Context
The trial began in September in the port city of Ensenada, drawing family members including the Robinsons' parents, Martin and Debra Robinson, who traveled from Australia. Rhoad's mother Page and fiance Natalie Weirtz participated via video call from the United States.
Baja California is noted as one of Mexico's most violent states, plagued by organized crime and drug trafficking, though foreign visitors have previously been targeted in criminal attacks along the Pacific coast as well.
What's Next
With the conclusion of the trial and the guilty verdicts delivered by the Mexican judge, the case moves past the judicial proceedings initiated after the killings.
Why it matters
The case highlights safety concerns for foreign tourists traveling in parts of Mexico affected by violent crime and brought international attention and grief to Australia and the United States following the deaths of the three surfers.
What we know
- The Guardian reports that a Mexican judge convicted three men of the 2024 murders of two Australian surfers and their American friend.
- The Guardian reports that Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus were found guilty.
- The Guardian reports that Jake and Callum Robinson and Carter Rhoad were shot dead in Baja California state in a suspected robbery in April 2024.