Mexico sentences killers of US, Australian surfers to 158 years each in prison
Three Mexican men were found guilty last week of murdering foreign surfers in 2024. The case had drawn global condemnation, particularly in Australia, where two of the victims were from.
Mexico has sentenced three men to more than 158 years each in prison for the 2024 murders of two Australian surfers and their American friend. The court also ordered the defendants to compensate the victims' families. The trio, Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Angel Jesus, were found guilty of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence, and vehicle theft with violence.
The victims, Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia and their friend Carter Rhoad from America, were on a surfing trip in Baja California when they were killed. The trio was camping near Ensenada when they were attacked in April 2024. Their bodies were found in a cliff-top well, with gunshot wounds to their heads. Despite Mexico's ongoing security issues, the area where the murders took place was generally considered safe for tourists.
The victims' families expressed their grief and relief at the sentencing, stating that the perpetrators would never harm anyone again. The Robinsons' parents traveled from Australia for the trial and grieved the loss of two sons.
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