3 Mexicans convicted of murdering Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American surfer friend Carter Rhoad

A judge on Friday sentenced three Mexicans to more than 158 years in prison each for the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend, a case that tarnished Mexico’s image by exposing the risks foreigners face when visiting the tourism-dependent country.

The sentencing, which came a week after the men were found guilty, marked the end of a long legal process over the murders of Australians Callum and Jake Robinson, and American Carter Redd Rhoad.

Their bodies were found in May 2024 and at least four people were arrested for their alleged involvement in the crime.

A judge in the coastal city of Ensenada, in the state of Baja California, ruled that Jesús Gerardo García, known as “el Kekas,” Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N” will each serve 158 years and nine months in prison for murder, robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence.

Antonio Otañez, president of the Baja California Surfers Association, welcomed the result, saying “justice has been done.”

But he acknowledged the killings had caused a “significant decline” in tourist visits, particularly surfers, to the area known for its beautiful beaches.

Here is an overview of the key facts and events in the case:

Surf trip ends in tragedy

The Robinson brothers — Callum and Jake — and their American friend decided to travel to Mexico at the end of April 2024 to pursue one of their passions, surfing, on a beach in Punta San José, about 80 km from the city of Ensenada, in the state of Baja California.

Unaware of the risks involved, the three friends decide to camp on the beach on the night of April 27, 2024.

Their attackers confronted them there, shot them dead early in the morning, then threw their bodies into a well more than 15 meters deep. The bodies were found on May 3 after several days of searching.

The Baja California prosecutor’s office announced on May 5, 2024 that it had arrested García, known as “el Kekas”, identifying him as the alleged perpetrator of the murder of the three foreigners.

State authorities said García had a criminal history in Ensenada involving alleged drug trafficking, unlawful entry into a home, domestic violence and vehicle theft.

García’s former partner, Ary Gisell Silva Raya, and two of his alleged accomplices, Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N”, were also arrested in the case.

Silva Raya, who authorities found in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of the victims, agreed to an abbreviated trial and was sentenced in November to 20 years in prison for aggravated robbery and vehicle theft with violence.

The prosecution’s story and evidence

Prosecutor María Elena Andrade said the attackers wanted to steal the tires from the foreigners’ pickup and that the victims resisted.

“The attackers took out a gun they were carrying and killed the person who initially resisted the robbery, then turned on the other two,” she added.