Three men are on trial for the murder of two Australian brothers and an American at a Mexican surfing location. The trial began on Monday, two years after the incident that took place during an alleged robbery attempt.
In April 2024, Australians Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, aged 30, were on a surfing trip to Mexico’s Pacific coast. They were attacked and killed in Baja California state, reportedly during an attempt to steal their truck, which was later found burned.
The trio was camping at a remote beach site when the assault happened. Their bodies, found days later in a cliff-top shaft, revealed gunshot wounds to the head. The proceedings commenced in the port city of Ensenada, attended by the Robinsons’ parents, who traveled to Mexico to represent their sons.
“It’s about representing our sons, being here for them. I know they want us to be here,” said Martin Robinson, addressing the need for understanding their loss. “We want to find out what happened. We want to find out why.”
The disappearance was reported on April 27, 2024, as they camped in Ensenada. Prosecutors state that the attackers ambushed and shot the surfers on April 28. Their bodies were discovered on May 3. Three witnesses testified, including the stepson of a defendant who depicted his stepfather as violent.
From an adjoining room, with his identity shielded, the witness shared that he was near the crime scene and heard significant noise. After fleeing, he rejoined the group, who warned silence with threats of violence similar to what happened to the victims.
Ary Gisell Silva, the girlfriend of the witness’s stepfather, had already received a 20-year prison sentence for prompting the robbery, aiming to steal the truck’s tires. She acknowledged contacting the surfers and noting their valuables. Silva admitted urging her boyfriend and two others to execute the theft, mentioning the quality of their phones and tires.
The crime led to grief and anger in Australia and the U.S., motivating searches on social media. Callum Robinson, a professional lacrosse player in the U.S., and Jake Robinson, an aspiring doctor set to begin a new job in Australia, were remembered with sorrow. Rhoad, who was engaged, left a grieving fiancée who expressed her devastation in court.
Baja California, known for violence due to organized crime and drug trafficking, typically spares tourists, though exceptions have occurred. In 2015, Australians Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman suffered a similar fate in Sinaloa, emphasizing ongoing concerns for tourists in the region.