Three men jailed for 158 years each for murdering Australian and US surfers in Mexico

Three men have been sentenced to a combined 158 years and nine months in prison for the murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, as well as their American friend Carter Rhoad. The brutal killings occurred in Baja California, Mexico, during a surfing trip in 2024. The trio were found murdered in a well, with gunshot wounds to their heads.

The victims' bodies were not discovered until a week after the murders, which sent shockwaves throughout the region, as Baja California is typically considered a safe area in Mexico. The convicted killers, identified only as Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús, have names withheld for legal reasons. Their girlfriend, who served as their alleged ringleader, received a 20-year sentence for her involvement in the robbery.

The murders occurred approximately 36 hours after the victims entered Mexico from the United States. The court attributed the killings to the surfers being in the wrong place at the wrong time, despite the beach town of Ensenada being known for its welcoming atmosphere among surfers. The incident has prompted locals and tourists to call for increased security measures, citing other recent instances of violence in the state. Tourism is a vital component of the regional economy.