Three men have been convicted of murdering Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad during a 2024 surfing trip in Mexico. The victims disappeared in Baja California before their bodies were found in a well near Ensenada. An Ensenada judge also found the defendants guilty of armed robbery and armed carjacking. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, with prosecutors seeking 210 years in prison for each man.
| 1) | Verdicts follow a month-long murder trial |
| 2) | Victims disappeared near a Baja California surf site |
| 3) | Prosecutors tied the killings to an attempted theft |
| 4) | Witness testimony described the attack and evidence |
| 5) | The convictions bring a measure of relief to the families |
Verdicts follow a month-long murder trial
An Ensenada judge found Jesús Gerardo García, known as “El Kekas,” and two men identified as Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N” guilty of murdering the three travelers. The verdict was delivered in Baja California after a month-long trial examining the deaths of Callum Robinson, Jake Robinson and Carter Rhoad.
The defendants were also convicted of armed robbery and armed carjacking. The judge is scheduled to announce their sentences on October 16. The Baja California State Attorney General’s Office is seeking 210 years in prison for each defendant, although the final penalties will be determined by the court.
Victims disappeared near a Baja California surf site
The three men had traveled to Baja California to surf and were reported missing after reaching Punta San Jose, approximately 50 miles from Ensenada. Callum and Jake Robinson were Australian brothers, while Rhoad was their American friend. Their disappearance prompted an international search in a popular Mexican tourist region.
Authorities found the victims’ bodies in a well on May 3, 2024. The discovery followed efforts to locate the group and determine what happened after they stopped communicating. Their deaths turned a recreational surfing trip into a homicide investigation involving Mexican authorities and the victims’ families in Australia and the United States.
Prosecutors tied the killings to an attempted theft
Investigators initially said the men were killed after confronting people who wanted the tires from their pickup truck. Chief state prosecutor María Elena Andrade Ramírez said authorities believed the suspected thieves noticed the truck and the surfers’ tents before encountering resistance during the attempted theft.
The prosecution’s case therefore connected the murders to a violent robbery rather than an unrelated dispute. The charges at trial reflected that theory, with the defendants facing counts for the killings as well as armed robbery and vehicle theft-related conduct.
Witness testimony described the attack and evidence
A central witness was Ary Gisell Silva Raya, the former partner of García. She testified that García told her he approached the surfers’ tent carrying a 9mm pistol. According to her account, the men threw belongings toward him in an effort to stop the attack, and one of the victims pleaded for his life.
“I killed them.”
The statement was attributed to García in testimony about what he allegedly told Silva Raya. She also said he showed her a vehicle fitted with tires believed to have been taken from the victims’ truck. Silva Raya was found with one victim’s cellphone and pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence. She received a 20-year prison sentence in November 2025.
The convictions bring a measure of relief to the families
The guilty verdicts offered the Robinson family a measure of relief more than two years after Callum and Jake were killed. Their father, Martin Robinson, described the decision as a significant moment in the family’s pursuit of justice, while acknowledging that the outcome could not reverse the loss.
Their mother, Debra Robinson, previously spoke about her sons’ love of surfing during a tribute on a San Diego beach. She said the brothers had been young men enjoying their shared passion and urged others to honor them by embracing life.
“Live bigger, shine brighter, and love harder in their memory.”
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Three men were convicted of three murders in Baja California. |
| 2 | The victims were Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and American Carter Rhoad. |
| 3 | Their bodies were found in a well on May 3, 2024. |
| 4 | The case included armed robbery and armed carjacking convictions. |
| 5 | Sentencing is scheduled for October 16. |
Summary
The convictions resolve the trial phase of a case that began with the disappearance of three surfers and ended with the discovery of their bodies in Baja California. Prosecutors argued that the men were killed during an attempted theft, while testimony supplied details about the alleged attack and evidence connected to the victims’ vehicle. The families now await sentencing as they continue to mourn Callum, Jake and Carter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was convicted in the case?
Jesús Gerardo García, Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N” were convicted of the murders, armed robbery and armed carjacking.
Who were the victims?
The victims were Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad.
When and where were the bodies found?
Authorities found the bodies in a well near Ensenada in Baja California on May 3, 2024.
What happens next?
The judge is scheduled to announce the defendants’ sentences on October 16. Prosecutors are seeking 210 years in prison for each defendant.
