Three Men Sentenced for Murders of Australian, US Surfers in Mexico

A judge in Ensenada, Mexico, has sentenced three men to over 158 years in prison each for the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend. The ruling marks the end of a legal process for the killings of Callum and Jake Robinson, and Carter Redd Rhoad, which occurred in the Baja California state.

Jesús Gerardo García, known as “el Kekas,” Irineo Francisco “N,” and Ángel Jesús “N” were found guilty of murder, robbery with violence, and vehicle theft with violence. Each will serve 158 years and nine months. The case had drawn attention to the risks faced by foreigners in Mexico, a country heavily reliant on tourism.

The Robinson brothers and their American friend traveled to Mexico in late April 2024 to surf near Punta San José, a beach approximately 50 miles from Ensenada. The three decided to camp on the beach on the night of April 27, 2024.

According to authorities, the attackers confronted the surfers early on April 28, 2024, shot them dead, and disposed of their bodies in a well over 15 meters deep. The bodies were discovered on May 3, 2024, following a search. Prosecutors stated that the motive for the killings was the theft of the victims' pickup truck tires. When the victims resisted, the attackers used a gun, killing one and then the other two.

García, identified as the suspected gunman, had a prior criminal history in Ensenada, including alleged drug dealing, unlawful entry, domestic violence, and vehicle theft. García’s former partner, Ary Gisell Silva Raya, was also arrested. She was found with a cellphone belonging to one of the victims and in November received a 20-year sentence for aggravated robbery and vehicle theft after agreeing to an abbreviated trial.

The sentencing has been welcomed by some in the local community, with Antonio Otañez, president of the Baja California surfers’ association, stating that “justice has been served.” However, he also noted that the killings had led to a significant decrease in tourist visits to the region, particularly among surfers.