Parents of murdered Australian brothers travel to Mexico for trial of accused

The parents of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson are travelling to Mexico for the trial of the men accused of murdering their sons, saying it is not about revenge, but hearing the truth and representing all those who loved them.

The brothers, whose family is from Perth, and their American friend, Carter Rhoad, were killed on a surfing trip in Baja California, along Mexico's Pacific coast, in April 2024.

Three men — who can be identified only by their given names, Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús — have been charged with aggravated homicide over the three deaths.

Jake and Callum's parents Debra and Martin Robinson posted on social media that they were heading to Ensenada for the trial which begins on Monday.

"After everything we have endured, being there feels both incredibly important and overwhelmingly difficult," they said.

"We are going because we need to be there, not only for ourselves, but to represent the immense love, heartbreak and unimaginable loss felt by their families, friends and everyone who loved these three extraordinary young men.

"This is not about revenge. It is about truth, justice and love."

'Never let them be forgotten': parents

Jake, a 31-year-old doctor from Perth, had travelled to California to meet up with his brother Callum, 32, who had been living in the US for 12 years after moving over to play lacrosse.

They then travelled south to Mexico to go camping and surfing.

Debra and Martin Robinson said in their post that being in the court room was one of the last things they could do for their sons.

"We carry their love with us every step of the way and we will remember them for who they were not simply for how they died," they wrote.

Western Australian government minister Reece Whitby said it was every parent's worst nightmare.

"It's very brave of them to be there for the trial, but obviously they need to be," he told reporters.

"So my thoughts are with them. It's going to be quite a harrowing experience for them to hear the evidence and to sit through that, but I think they want to be there for their boys and to see justice is done and we all hope that justice is done."

Plea deals rejected

A prosecutor has asked for 210-year jail sentences for each of the accused, and an additional 168-year sentence for Jesús Gerardo, who is also charged with forced disappearance.

All three defendants in the case rejected plea deals that would have seen them serve jail terms between 47 and 52 years.

They are also charged with aggravated robbery, violent robbery, and grand theft auto.