Mexican court finds three men guilty of 2024 killing of Australian, US surfers

MEXICO CITY: A Mexican judge on Friday found three men guilty of the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend during a surf trip to the state of Baja California, a court source told Reuters.

Jesus Gerardo Garcia, known as "El Kekas", and the co-defendants identified simply as Irineo Francisco "N" and Angel Jesus "N", were found guilty of aggravated homicide, violent robbery and vehicle theft by a Baja California court.

The prosecution had sought sentences of up to 150 years for the suspects. According to the same source at the state court, the sentence will be announced on Oct 16.

Brothers Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, and American Jack Carter Rhoad, 30, were camping and surfing near Punta San Jose, about 80km south of Ensenada, when they were reported missing in late April 2024.

After a days-long search, aided by the FBI, their bodies were found on May 3 at the bottom of a well. The victims were each found with gunshot wounds to the head, authorities said.

Prosecutors said the accused had attempted to carjack the tourists, who were shot when they tried to resist. Their truck was later found burned nearby.

Martin and Debra Robinson, the Robinsons' parents, travelled from their hometown of Perth to attend the four-week trial. Rhoad's widowed fiancée, Natalie Weirtz, spoke via video call from the United States.

In November 2025, Gisell Silva, Garcia's then-girlfriend, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her involvement in the case. The woman, who was 23 at the time, was arrested a few days after the victims' bodies were found.

While the Ensenada area is considered relatively safe, Baja California ranks among Mexico's most violent states. Following the killings, the US State Department urged Americans to reconsider travel to the state because of crime and kidnapping risks.