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

What the report says

A Mexican judge has sentenced three men to 158 years and nine months in prison each for the murders of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad, BBC World News reported. The case stemmed from a 2024 attack on the trio during a surfing trip in Baja California, where prosecutors said they were killed in what appeared to be a botched robbery of their truck on a secluded beach.

The BBC said the men were later found dumped in a well with gunshot wounds to the head. The killings drew international attention, especially in Australia, and also unsettled residents and tourists in Ensenada, a coastal area that is generally viewed as safer than parts of Mexico more affected by violence. According to the report, the court heard from the victims’ families during the proceedings, including a statement from the brothers’ mother, Debra Robinson.

The convicted men were identified in court only by first names because of legal restrictions. The BBC also noted that one woman linked to the case, described as the girlfriend of the alleged ringleader, received a separate 20-year sentence last November after admitting involvement in the robbery. Beyond the courtroom outcome, the case has renewed attention on security concerns in Baja California, where tourism is a major part of the regional economy.