158 years each: Men jailed for murdering Australian surfers and US friend in Mexico

Angel Jesus “N”— one of three alleged killers of two Australian tourists in 2024 in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

A Mexican judge on Friday sentenced three men to more than 158 years' imprisonment for the murder of two Australian surfers and their American friend in 2024, in a case that drew global condemnation.

Brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33 respectively, and their friend Carter Rhoad, 30, were on a surfing trip to Mexico's Pacific coast when they were shot dead in Baja California state during an attempted robbery.

They were camping in a remote beachside area near the city of Ensenada when they were attacked on April 27, 2024.

Their bodies were found days later, dumped in a cliff-top well, with gunshot wounds to their heads.

The callousness of their killings shocked Ensenada, a surfing mecca that attracts people from around the world.

Judge Raul Hernandez ruled last week that the three Mexican defendants, identified only by their first names -- Jesus Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Angel Jesus -- acted with premeditation.

Prosecutors had requested damages of more than $100,000, but the judge ruled against it and said any compensation would have to be pursued through civil proceedings.

"There can never be justice for the loss of a son, but we are grateful that these men will never hurt anyone else," Rhoad's mother Page said after learning the verdict.

The Robinsons' parents had traveled to Mexico from Australia for the month-long trial and left after the verdict.

"It's hard for a parent to lose a son, and we lost two sons," Martin Robinson said.

Debra Robinson said what hurt the most was that her sons "were treated with such cruelty" in their final hours.

The families of the victims followed the sentencing hearing via video link.

The former girlfriend of Jesus Gerardo, who is accused of leading the attack, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in November.