News

Mexican court convicts killers of Australian surfing brothers

The men also murdered American friend Carter Rhoad. Prosecutors seek 210 years each, but state law caps prison terms at 60 years.

Lawyers speaking to reporters and camera crews outside a courthouse in Ensenada, Mexico

Outside the courthouse in Ensenada, where three men were convicted of murdering Jake and Callum Robinson and Carter Rhoad. Digitally illustrated image.

By Bushletter Newsroom · 11 October 2026

TLDR

A Mexican judge convicted three men of murdering Western Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad, who were robbed and killed during a 2024 surf trip in Baja California. Sentencing is scheduled for 16 October 2026, with prosecutors seeking 210 years each, though state law caps terms at 60 years.

Verdict delivered in Ensenada

Judge Raúl Hernández in Ensenada delivered guilty verdicts on 9 October 2026 against three men charged with murdering Western Australian brothers Jake Robinson, 30, and Callum Robinson, 33, and their American companion Carter Rhoad, 30.^[1] Jesús Gerardo García Cota, known as "El Kekas", Irineo Francisco "N" and Ángel Jesús "N" were found guilty of aggravated homicide, violent robbery and vehicle theft with violence.

The court found the defendants acted with premeditation, and prosecutors asked for 210 years' imprisonment each, though Baja California law caps sentences at 60 years.^[2] Sentencing is set for 16 October 2026.

The 2024 attack at Punta San José

Jake and Callum Robinson travelled from Western Australia to Baja California in April 2024 to surf and camp at Punta San José near Ensenada, accompanied by Rhoad.^[3] The Baja California state prosecutor's investigation found García Cota and two accomplices intercepted the men while they camped on the night of 27 to 28 April 2024, seized their vehicle and then killed them.

Their bodies were found in a cliff-top shaft outside Ensenada, bearing gunshot wounds to the head.^[2] Mexican authorities and the US FBI had conducted the search after the three men failed to return from the trip.

Family response and earlier conviction

Martin Robinson, father of Jake and Callum, said "while no verdict can ever bring back our boys or ease the heartbreak of losing them".^[2] Debra Robinson, their mother, said "in their final hours they were treated with such cruelty".

Ary Gisell Silva Raya was sentenced to 20 years' prison on 20 November 2025 after admitting she set up the victims to be robbed.^[4] Silva Raya was convicted of violent robbery connected to the killings, making her the first person sentenced in the case, with the three men convicted on 9 October facing their formal sentence on 16 October 2026.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01Judge Raúl Hernández convicted all three defendants of aggravated homicide, violent robbery and vehicle theft on 9 October 2026.

02Convicted men are Jesús Gerardo García Cota alias 'El Kekas', Irineo Francisco 'N' and Ángel Jesús 'N'.

03Sentencing is scheduled for 16 October 2026, with Baja California's 60-year cap limiting any term imposed.

04Bodies of all three men were found in a cliff-top shaft outside Ensenada, each bearing gunshot wounds to the head.

05Ary Gisell Silva Raya was sentenced separately to 20 years in November 2025 for instigating the robbery.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who was convicted of murdering the Australian surfers in Mexico?

Judge Raúl Hernández in Ensenada convicted Jesús Gerardo García Cota alias 'El Kekas', Irineo Francisco 'N' and Ángel Jesús 'N' on 9 October 2026 of aggravated homicide, violent robbery and vehicle theft.

What sentence could the convicted men receive?

Prosecutors sought 210 years' imprisonment for each defendant, but Baja California law caps sentences at 60 years. Formal sentencing is scheduled for 16 October 2026.

What happened to Jake and Callum Robinson and Carter Rhoad?

The three men were intercepted while camping at Punta San José near Ensenada on the night of 27 to 28 April 2024, robbed, killed and their bodies dumped in a cliff-top shaft outside Ensenada, where they were later found with gunshot wounds to the head.