Australian Parents Attend Trial in Mexico Over Surfing Sons' Killings

The parents of two Australian surfers who were killed alongside their American friend in Mexico have attended the opening day of the murder trial of three accused men.

Debra and Martin Robinson travelled to the port city of Ensenada in Baja California for the proceedings over the deaths of their sons, Callum and Jake Robinson, and American Jack Carter Rhoad.

Speaking to reporters as the couple arrived at court, Martin Robinson said: "It's about representing our sons, being here for them. I know they'd want us to be here; they would do the same for us."

The three friends were on a surfing trip along Mexico's Pacific coast when they were attacked in April 2024. They had been camping in a remote beachside area before they went missing. Their bodies were found several days later dumped in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads.

Authorities said the men were killed during an attempt to steal their pickup truck, which was later found burned near their bodies. Three men are now on trial over the killings. The girlfriend of one of the accused was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year after admitting she instigated the robbery to steal the pickup's tires.

The killings sparked outrage and sadness in Australia and the United States, where relatives and friends had mobilised a major search on social media after the three men disappeared.

Callum Robinson had played professional lacrosse in the United States, while his brother Jake was pursuing a career in medicine. Rhoad was killed a few months before he was due to marry.