Law & Justice
Australian, US surfers' alleged killers on trial in Mexico
Three men accused of killing Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad went on trial Monday in Ensenada, Mexico.
Jake Robinson, 30, Callum Robinson, 33, and Rhoad, 30, were shot dead in Baja California state while on a surfing trip to Mexico's Pacific coast in April 2024.
They had been camping in a remote beachside area. Their bodies were found several days after they went missing, dumped in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads.
Authorities say the men were killed during an attempt to steal their pickup truck, which was found burned near their bodies.
The Robinsons' parents, Martin and Debra Robinson, travelled to Ensenada for the start of the trial. Martin Robinson told reporters that they wanted to represent their sons and find out what happened and why.
Ary Gisell Silva, the girlfriend of one of the accused men, was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year after admitting she had instigated the robbery to steal the pickup's tires. She told a court she had urged her boyfriend and two other men to rob the surfers because they had “good phones and good tires”.
The killings caused outrage and sadness in Australia and the United States. Callum Robinson had played professional lacrosse in the United States, Jake Robinson was pursuing a career in medicine, and Rhoad was killed a few months before he was due to marry.
Baja California is one of Mexico's most violent states and is affected by organised crime and drug trafficking, although cartel activity does not usually affect tourists.
Update
Authorities say the three victims were murdered during an attempt to steal their pickup truck, which was found burned near their bodies.
The bodies were found in a cliff-top shaft and had gunshot wounds to the head.
Ary Gisell Silva, the girlfriend of one accused man, was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year after admitting she instigated the robbery to steal the pickup's tires.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 17:37:52 UTC.
Update
The trial began in Ensenada, Mexico.
Three men are on trial for homicide.
The Robinsons' parents attended the start of the trial and spoke to reporters.
The victims had been camping in a remote beachside area when they were attacked, and their bodies were found hidden on a cliff.
The girlfriend of one accused was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year after admitting she instigated the robbery.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 16:47:12 UTC.
Update
The victims were Australian brothers Jake Robinson, 30, and Callum Robinson, 33, and their 30-year-old American friend Jack Carter Rhoad.
The three surfers were shot dead after being robbed in Baja California.
The trial opened in the border resort where the three were murdered.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 16:31:42 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The three defendants' guilt or innocence has not been determined by the trial.
The full circumstances of the killings remain subject to the court proceedings.
Source
AFP news report published on .