Three men found guilty of killing two Australian brothers and an American friend on a surfing trip in Mexico

Updated 08:02 UTC: A Mexican judge has found three men guilty of killing two Australian brothers and their American friend during a surfing trip to Baja California in April 2024, closing a trial that turned the world's eyes on the remote coastline where the three were camping.

Judge Raúl Hernández delivered the verdict on Friday in the coastal city of Ensenada. He found Jesús Gerardo García, known as "El Kekas," and two co-defendants identified as Irineo Francisco "N" and Ángel Jesús "N" guilty of aggravated homicide, violent robbery, and vehicle theft, according to reporting by Reuters and CNN.

The victims were brothers Callum Robinson, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, from Perth, Australia, and their American friend, 30, whose name has been reported as Carter Redd Rhoad by CNN and Jack Carter Rhoad by Reuters.

Prosecutors told the court the three traveled to Baja California in April 2024 to surf and camp near Punta San Jose, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Ensenada. They were reported missing in late April. A days-long search assisted by the FBI ended on May 3, when their bodies were found at the bottom of a well. Authorities said each had been shot in the head.

According to prosecutors, the three were killed during an attempted carjacking. When they resisted, they were shot. Their pickup truck was later found burned nearby.

The trial heard testimony from García's then-girlfriend, Ary Gisell Silva Raya, who said García had confessed to her that he arrived at the tent where the three foreigners were staying carrying a 9mm pistol. She testified that the victims began throwing their belongings toward him in an attempt to stop the attack, and that one of them begged for his life.

The parents of the Robinson brothers, Martin and Debra Robinson, traveled from Perth to attend the four-week trial. The American victim's fiancee, Natalie Weirtz, testified via video call from the United States.

After the verdict, Martin Robinson called it "a significant moment in our long and painful journey to seek justice," and said the family hoped it represented an important step toward justice and accountability.

Prosecutors had sought sentences of up to 150 years for each defendant. The court is expected to announce the sentences on October 16.

In a separate proceeding, Silva Raya was sentenced to 20 years in prison in November 2025 for her role in the case. She was arrested days after the victims' bodies were found.

The killings drew condemnation in Australia and the United States and renewed attention on security in Baja California, one of Mexico's most violent states. After the deaths, the U.S. State Department urged Americans to reconsider travel to the state because of crime and kidnapping risks.

This is a developing story. Updates will follow as the sentencing hearing approaches.