Father of killed Australian surfers testifies in Mexico trial: 'It's hell'

The trial opened in Ensenada, Baja California, for three men accused of killing two Australian brothers, Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad. The victims were on a surfing trip to Mexico's Pacific coast in April 2024. Martin Robinson, father of Jake and Callum, testified about the emotional toll of the loss and the ordeal of identifying his sons' bodies.

Martin Robinson told the court, "It's hell," and said he doubts he will ever "regain my balance" after losing two sons. He described identifying Callum by a tattoo on his forearm. Identifying Jake was harder and required reviewing photographs. Jack Rhoad's mother also gave testimony, comparing the killings to an execution and saying she misses her son every day. Rhoad's widow, Natalie, is scheduled to testify later in the proceedings.

Prosecutors' account of the killings Authorities say the three victims were killed during an attempted robbery. Their bodies were found in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds to the head. The victims' pickup truck was discovered burned near the scene. Prosecutors rely on a mixture of forensic evidence and witness testimony to make their case.

A protected witness testified that they accompanied one of the defendants to the crime scene, heard gunshots, and fled. That witness said they were later threatened into silence. This testimony supports prosecution claims about what happened at and immediately after the killings.

Family reaction and public response The disappearances and deaths prompted widespread outrage and grief in Australia and the United States, and a social media search for the missing men took place after they disappeared. At trial, family members expressed their pain and disbelief over how the killings happened, and repeatedly noted the victims' plans, travel, and relationships that were cut short.

The trial is expected to continue through the end of September. Additional witnesses are scheduled to give evidence, including Jack Rhoad's widow. The proceedings will hear eyewitness accounts, forensic findings, and legal arguments to determine whether the defendants are guilty of homicide charges.

The case has drawn attention because the victims were foreign nationals vacationing in a popular surf area, the brutality of the killings, and the cross-border public reaction. The trial will determine criminal responsibility based on the evidence and testimony presented in court.