ENSENADA, Mexico | Three men have each been sentenced to 158 years and nine months in prison for murdering two Australian brothers and their American friend during a surfing trip in Mexico in April 2024, concluding a high-profile criminal case that drew international attention and raised concerns about tourist safety.
A judge in Ensenada, in the northwestern state of Baja California, handed down the sentences on October 16, 2026, a week after the defendants were found guilty of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence, according to reports by Australian public broadcaster ABC News and British newspaper The Guardian.
The victims were Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad. The three were surfing and camping near Punta San José, south of Ensenada, when they were attacked on April 27, 2024. Investigators said the assailants targeted their pickup truck, reportedly intending to steal its tires. The victims were shot, and their bodies were later found in a deep well on May 3. Their vehicle was discovered burned nearby.
The convicted men were identified as Jesús Gerardo García, known as “El Kekas,” Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús. Prosecutors had sought sentences of up to 210 years for each defendant, according to Al Jazeera. The court imposed the lengthy prison terms following a trial that included testimony and evidence about the killings and the attempted robbery.
A woman linked to the case, Ary Gisell Silva Raya, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in November 2025 after pleading guilty to robbery-related offenses and vehicle theft. Her case was handled separately.
The killings prompted an extensive search involving Mexican authorities and assistance from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case also drew attention to security concerns in Baja California, a region known for its Pacific coastline and surfing destinations. The US State Department has warned travelers about crime and kidnapping risks in the state.
The families of the victims followed the sentencing proceedings, with the Robinson brothers’ parents traveling to Mexico for the legal process. The case has underscored the devastating consequences of violent crime and the challenges authorities face in protecting residents and visitors in popular tourist areas.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
