A Mexican court has sentenced a woman to 20 years in prison for her role in the April 2024 robbery and subsequent murder of two Australian brothers and an American citizen in Baja California, a case that drew international condemnation and spotlighted tourist safety risks. The Baja California State Prosecutor's Office confirmed on Thursday, November 20, 2025, that Ary Gisell Silva Raya, 23, was sentenced a day prior in Ensenada after pleading guilty to robbery with violence.

The victims were Australian siblings Callum Robinson, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, 30. The three men were on a surfing and camping trip in a remote coastal area near Ensenada, approximately 80 kilometers south of the U.S. border, when they were attacked. Investigators concluded the motive was to steal their pickup truck, particularly for its tires.

According to evidence presented by the prosecution, Silva Raya was the first to encounter the tourists and noted their valuable possessions, including their vehicle and phones. She then allegedly instigated the robbery, telling her boyfriend and two other accomplices, “They have good phones and good tires,” which led to the fatal confrontation. The surfers were reported missing on Saturday, April 27, 2024, after they failed to check into their pre-arranged accommodation.

An intensive search was launched, fueled by pleas from their families and international media attention. On Friday, May 3, 2024, authorities discovered the bodies of the three men in a 15-meter-deep well in a remote area, several kilometers from where they were last seen. All three had suffered gunshot wounds to the head. A fourth, unrelated body was also found in the well, having been there for a longer period.

Broader Context of Regional Violence

While this case has no direct ties to Kenya, it serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges present in some international travel destinations popular with global tourists, including Kenyans. The Baja California region, particularly areas around Tijuana and Ensenada, has been flagged by multiple governments for high rates of violent crime, including kidnapping and carjacking, often linked to organized crime and drug trafficking disputes. The U.S. State Department, for instance, advises travelers to reconsider visiting the state due to these risks.

The murders prompted outrage both within Mexico and internationally. Local surfers in Ensenada held protests, carrying signs that read "Ensenada is a mass grave" and demanding improved security for both residents and visitors. The incident echoed the 2015 murders of two other Australian surfers, Adam Coleman and Dean Lucas, in the western Mexican state of Sinaloa, who were also victims of highway bandits.

The Legal Aftermath

Silva Raya was the first of four suspects to be arrested, taken into custody on May 1, 2024, while in possession of methamphetamine and one of the victim's cell phones. Her then-boyfriend, Jesús Gerardo, and two other men, Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús, were subsequently arrested and face charges including aggravated homicide and forced disappearance. Their trials are being conducted separately and are still pending. Prosecutors have stated they will seek sentences of up to 210 years for the male suspects.

During her hearing, Silva Raya offered a tearful apology to the victims' families, who attended via video conference. The families delivered emotional impact statements, describing their profound loss. The case underscores the tragic outcomes of opportunistic, violent crime on unsuspecting travelers and the complex security landscape that persists in parts of Mexico, despite its popularity as a tourist destination.