Sentenced to 158 years in prison for murdering tourists to steal tires

The Ensenada city court, Baja California state, on October 16 sentenced Jesús Gerardo García, nicknamed “El Kekas”, and his two accomplices Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús to 158 years and 9 months in prison each for murder, robbery and carjacking by force.

The verdict came a week after the three defendants were found guilty, closing the trial for the murder of brothers Callum and Jake Robinson, Australian nationals, and their American friend Carter Redd Rhoad.

At the end of April 2024, three tourists went to Punta San José, about 80 km from Ensenada, to surf. This Pacific Ocean region is famous for its beaches and surfing spots, attracting outdoor enthusiasts.

On the evening of April 27, 2024, the group set up a camping tent on the beach and were approached by attackers with the intention of stealing the tires of their pickup truck. When one person resisted, the group pulled out a gun, shot the victim and then murdered the other two people. The bodies of three tourists were thrown into a well more than 15 meters deep. On May 3, 2024, authorities found the victims.

Baja California state prosecutor, María Elena Andrade, said the case stemmed from a plot to steal property but led to murder when the group of tourists fought back. García was identified as the direct suspect in the shooting and was arrested on May 5, 2024. This person had a history of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, domestic violence and car theft.

Ary Gisell Silva Raya, García’s ex-girlfriend, was also arrested after police discovered she kept a victim’s phone. In November 2025, Silva Raya received a 20-year prison sentence after accepting summary trial procedures on charges related to the robbery.

The murder of three tourists affected the tourism image of Baja California, an area with many beaches that attract international visitors, especially from the US and Australia. Antonio Otañez, President of the Baja California Surfing Association, welcomed the court’s decision, saying justice had been served. He said the case caused a sharp decline in the number of visitors to the area, especially among the surfing community.

The incident also raises concerns about crime at tourist destinations far from residential areas in Mexico, where tourists often drive, camp and participate in nature exploration activities.