A Mexican judge has sentenced three men to more than 158 years in prison each for the 2024 murders of two Australian brothers and their American friend, in a case that raised concerns about the safety of tourists in Mexico. The sentencing took place on Friday in Ensenada, Baja California, concluding a protracted legal process that followed the killings in April.

Jesús Gerardo García, known as “el Kekas,” along with Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N,” were found guilty of murder, robbery with violence, and vehicle theft with violence. Each was handed a sentence totaling 158 years and nine months behind bars.

The victims—Callum and Jake Robinson from Australia, and Carter Redd Rhoad from the United States—had traveled to the Punta San José beach area, roughly 50 miles from Ensenada, in late April 2024 to go surfing. On the night of April 27, the three friends camped on the beach, unaware of the dangers they would face. The attackers confronted them, fatally shot them during the early morning hours, and disposed of their bodies in a well over 50 feet deep. The victims' bodies were recovered on May 3 after an extensive search.

Following the discovery, local authorities arrested García on May 5, identifying him as the suspected gunman. García had a prior criminal record in Ensenada, including charges related to drug trafficking, unlawful entry, domestic violence, and vehicle theft. In addition to García, two accomplices—Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N”—and García’s former partner Ary Gisell Silva Raya were detained.

Silva Raya was found with one of the victim’s cellphones and accepted an abbreviated trial. In November, she received a 20-year sentence for aggravated robbery with violence and vehicle theft with violence.

According to state prosecutor María Elena Andrade, the motive behind the attack was the theft of the tires from the victims’ pickup truck. When the three resisted, the assailants opened fire, killing the first victim and then shooting the remaining two.

The case has drawn significant attention in Baja California, a region heavily dependent on tourism. Antonio Otañez, president of the Baja California surfers’ association, expressed relief at the verdict but noted the broader impact: “justice has been served,” he said, while acknowledging the incident led to a substantial decrease in tourist visits, particularly from the surfing community, to the area known for its scenic beaches.