There has been a major breakthrough in a case regarding three tourists who were found dead during a surfing trip in Mexico.
In late April 2024, Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, aged 30 and 33 respectively, and their American friend, Carter Rhoad, 30, were last seen surfing and camping along the coast near Ensenada, Baja California.
They had planned to stay in Rosarito but never arrived, prompting a missing persons alert from the brothers’ mother, Debra Robinson, per PEOPLE.
Authorities soon discovered three bodies at the bottom of a 15‑metre‑deep well near Santo Tomás.
Each victim suffered gunshot wounds, while a fourth unrelated body was also found in the same well.
Despite the remote area’s reputation for cartel-related violence, Mexican prosecutor Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez has ruled out any organized crime connection, per Perth Now.
Instead, he says investigators believe the killings stemmed from a botched tyre theft: “It appears the perpetrators identified an opportunity for robbery when they encountered the foreigners in a highly isolated location. These individuals exploited the circumstances to perpetrate the robbery, resulting in the fatal shooting of the three foreigners.”
Baja California’s chief state prosecutor María Elena Andrade Ramírez offered a similar scenario.
She suggested the men were targeted for their truck and its tyres and were likely shot when they resisted. “When (the surfers) came up and caught them, surely, they resisted.”
Four suspects now face charges related to the killings: Jesús Gerardo (nicknamed “El Kekas”), Ari Gisell (his then‑girlfriend), Ángel Jesús, and Irineo Francisco.
According to a court filing, Gerardo allegedly confessed to Ari Gisell: “I f***ed up three gringos,” presenting her with the tyres.
All four face charges of aggravated homicide (up to 60 years), robbery, and grand theft auto.
The three men also face additional charges of forced disappearance. Gaxiola Rodríguez said: “We have compelling evidence, including witness statements, and we have found the vehicle. The objective is to ensure that the accused are brought to trial and convicted of the homicide and robbery.”
Callum Robinson’s girlfriend, Emily Horwath of San Diego, shared a poignant voicemail message he left her just before the trip: “Happy Tuesday, good morning! It’s 11.11 and I’m just thinking about you.
"Just wanted to drop you a quick message and say, hello baby, hope you’re having a phenomenal start to your day... I’m sensing a big grin on your face for some reason today. I hope you’re full of positivity and smiles. Cheers baby, miss you.”
Emily captioned the message: “Will be playing this on repeat... That’s exactly who you were. Positivity and smiles.” She also posted that her heart had been “shattered into a million pieces” alongside a photo of them together.
Fundraisers have been set up in support of the victims' families: a GoFundMe for the Robinson family has raised over $350,000 of a $360,000 goal.
Another campaign in honor of Carter Rhoad’s fiancée aims to provide essentials and establish a scholarship in his memory. “No donation is too small, and every contribution is deeply appreciated,” organizers said.