Mexican court hears details of search for bodies of Australians and an American
A court in Mexico’s Ensenada heard testimony from law enforcement officers about the search for the bodies of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend, American Carter Rhoad. The men disappeared in April 2024 during a surfing trip to the state of Baja California.
As ABC News Australia reports, the head of the state missing persons unit told the court that investigators received their first lead on May 1, 2024 — about four days after the men disappeared. The search was conducted near Punta San José, a remote surfing spot about 80 kilometres south of Ensenada, where they had been camping.
Findings near an abandoned house
According to the officer, investigators found an abandoned ranch-like house near the ocean. About 100–120 metres from it was a well that drew the searchers’ attention. As they approached, they noticed an unpleasant smell.
After burned human remains were found in the well, the case was transferred to the homicide investigation unit. A forensic specialist who testified on Thursday local time also reported clothing bearing traces of blood found in the nearby abandoned house.
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Charges and course of proceedings
Items seized at the scene included brown boots, a sweater, a .45-calibre bullet, bloodstains and a tooth. According to the forensic specialist, all of these items were heavily burned. The defence raised questions about whether certain items, including the bullet, could have been old, and also pointed to discrepancies in the timeline recorded by law enforcement. The expert said he could not determine when the items might have been burned because he did not have access to laboratory test results.
Three Mexican citizens — Jesús Gerardo, known as El Kekas, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús — are charged with aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, violent robbery and vehicle theft. El Kekas’s former girlfriend, Ari Gisel, was sentenced last year to 20 years in prison in a case connected to the murders; she is expected to testify next week.
Hearings will continue next week. The trial was expected to last about a month, but a last-minute replacement of the judge may affect this schedule. After the trial concludes, the judge will have 24 hours to make a decision and another week to announce the verdict.
