Father of slain Australian surfers testifies in Mexico trial

The father of two Australian surfers killed in Mexico testified on Tuesday that his life had been turned into hell. Martin Robinson spoke on the second day of the trial for three men charged with the April 2024 murders of his sons and their American friend.

Authorities say Australian brothers Jake Robinson, 30, and Callum Robinson, 33, and their 30-year-old American friend Jack Carter Rhoad were killed during an attempted robbery on Mexico's Pacific coast. Their bodies were found dumped in a cliff-top shaft with gunshot wounds to their heads.

Father's testimony in court

"It's hell," Martin Robinson told the court. "It's hard for a parent to lose a son, and we lost two sons." He said the loss included the potential, dreams, and love his sons had for others.

Robinson described the ordeal of identifying his sons' bodies. He identified Callum by a tattoo on his forearm. Identifying Jake was more difficult and required photographs.

Details of the crime and other testimony

A protected witness testified on Monday that they accompanied one of the defendants to the crime scene. The witness said they fled after hearing gunshots and were later threatened into silence. Authorities say the men were killed during an attempt to steal their pickup truck, which was later found burned near their bodies.

Rhoad's mother, Page, also testified, comparing the crime to an execution. "I miss my son every day, and I don't know if I will ever be able to regain my balance," she said. She noted her son loved Mexico, spoke fluent Spanish, and enjoyed its culture.

International reaction and trial schedule

The surfers' disappearances and deaths sparked widespread outrage and grief in Australia and the United States. The case prompted a major social media search for their bodies before they were found.

Martin Robinson told the court the family holds no resentment toward the perpetrators but cannot understand how they could have taken the lives of two beautiful people. Rhoad's widow, Natalie, is scheduled to testify on Wednesday. The trial is expected to run until the end of September.