Mexico trial begins over brutal killings of Australian surfer brothers

Three men are on trial in Ensenada for the alleged murders of two Australian surfers and an American friend, a case that gripped the surf town of Baja California last year.

The victims—Callum Robinson, his younger brother Jake, and California friend Carter Rhoad—were found at the bottom of a well with gunshot wounds, days after they went missing during a surf trip.

Prosecutors seek a total of more than 200 years in jail for each accused and an additional 168-year sentence for the supposed ringleader, while the defense argues insufficient evidence of the robbery theory.

Siblings’ parents testified that the proceedings were “incredibly important and overwhelmingly difficult,” and urged the court to witness the human impact of the tragedy.

The trial will span four weeks and involve dozens of witnesses; earlier investigations noted potential intimidation of witnesses connected to the defendants.

After the 2024 killings shocked international tourists and sparked renewed focus on safety in Baja California’s surf towns, the case marks a significant legal confrontation in a region known for cartel violence.