New person charged in suspected Mexico murder of Aussie brothers Jake and Callum Robinson

A fourth person has been charged and the lead prosecutor in the case on the suspected murders of Aussie surfers Jake and Callum Robinson has revealed what he believes is the motive.

The lead prosecutor in the case against the suspected murders of Australian surfers Jake and Callum Robinson in Mexico has revealed what he believes was the primary motivation for the slayings.

The Perth brothers, along with their friend Carter Rhoad were killed in a remote region of Mexico renowned for cartel activity while on a surfing trip in April last year.

But according to the ABC, the Mexican prosecutor leading the case maintains there is still no evidence of cartel involvement.

A week before the case will be heard in court, Miguel Ángel Gaxiola Rodríguez told the ABC the primary motive for the brutal slayings was to steal the tyres off the vehicle the trio was travelling in.

A fourth person charged with the murders of the men – Irineo Frncisco – will be tried alongside three others — Jesús Gerardo, known as “El Kekas”, his then-girlfriend Ari Gisell, and Ángel Jesús — who were arrested shortly after the killings. Their surnames cannot be published under local laws.

Martin and Debra Robinson with their sons, Callum and Jake. The Perth brothers were surfing in Mexico with their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad when they were killed.

Mr Gaxiola Rodríguez confirmed prosecutors would pursue the robbery-gone-wrong theory.

“It appears that the perpetrators identified an opportunity for robbery when they encountered the foreigners in a highly isolated location,” he said.

“These individuals exploited the circumstances to perpetrate the robbery, resulting in the fatal shooting of the three foreigners.”

Jesús Gerardo Garcia Cota was charged. Picture: 7 News

Ari Gisel García Cota, 23, is one of three charged.

Investigators had believed the murders had the “hallmarks of organised crime” because the men were killed with a single gunshot to the head, their bodies disposed of in a well and it had taken place in an area known for heavy cartel activity.

A body unrelated to the case was also discovered in the well.

The three men have been charged with aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto, and forced disappearance.

Ari Gisell faces the same charges, minus forced disappearance.

Three suspects were originally charged - including a woman.

Two separate court hearings are scheduled for July 17; one for the three men accused of forced disappearance, the other for all four defendants.

Jesús Gerardo was the first suspect to be arrested and charged after the men disappeared while surfing and camping in Mexico’s Baja California region.

A court heard his then-girlfriend told investigators Jesús Gerardo had told her: “I f****ed up three gringos.”

Three wooden statues—each standing nearly 6 feet tall—now overlook the waves at Punta San José, a beloved surf break in Northern Baja. They stand in memory of Callum and Jake Robinson, and Carter, honouring lives that continue to inspire. Source: Instagram

In May, a monument composed of wooden statues was installed in Punta San José to commemorate the brothers and their friend. Two of the statues are closer together, while one stands slightly apart.

The memorial was unveiled by members of the Baja California Surfers Association in the presence of Rachel Moseley, the Australian ambassador to Mexico.

Antonio Otañez, president of the association, said it was created to show support for his fellow surfers from Australia and the US. The same group also organised a protest against violence in the area a year earlier.

Originally published as New person charged in suspected Mexico murder of Aussie brothers Jake and Callum Robinson