Three surfers murdered on a Baja California beach trip were shot execution-style from behind, a forensic expert testified Tuesday in an Ensenada courtroom where three men face charges in the killings that shocked surfing communities on both sides of the border.
The medical examiner told the court that Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad suffered bullet wounds consistent with shots fired from behind their heads. The clinical nature of the wounds raises questions about whether this was simply a robbery gone wrong or something more deliberate.
Parents Watch as Evidence Unfolds
Martin and Debra Robinson, parents of the two Australian victims, sat in the courtroom as the forensic witness asked permission to demonstrate the trajectory of the fatal shots with hand gestures. The judge gave them the choice to leave during the graphic testimony. They stayed. The three defendants—Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús—sat nearby with their heads down.
The men face charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, and grand theft auto. Martin Robinson declined to comment on the proceedings before Tuesday’s session.
Fourth Victim Found in Same Location
The forensic expert also described wounds on a fourth victim discovered in the makeshift well where the three surfers’ bodies were recovered. The defendants are not charged in that killing, though investigators have not explained why.
The judge ordered that names of testifying investigators remain confidential—a detail that may concern Americans watching how Mexican courts handle cases involving U.S. citizens. The trial continues through September 30.
The killings have cast a shadow over Baja’s reputation as a relatively safe destination for California surfers who have traveled there for decades. The precise nature of the gunshot wounds suggests the attackers knew what they were doing, raising uncomfortable questions about who these men really were and whether tourists can trust local authorities to tell the full story.
Key Points
- Australian brothers and American friend were shot from behind in what may have been more than a simple robbery
- Parents of two victims sat through graphic forensic testimony while defendants kept heads down
- A fourth victim was found in the same location but defendants face no charges in that death
https://www.courthousenews.com/forensic-scientist-details-gunshot-wounds-of-three-surfers-killed-during-baja-beach-trip/ – September 23, 2026
