A woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her involvement in the murders of three tourists in Baja California, Mexico, in April 2024. The victims were Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Carter Rhoad, who were on a surfing trip when they disappeared.
Ari Gisell, 23, pleaded guilty to instigating the assault that led to the deaths. Court proceedings revealed Gisell had expressed interest in the tires of the surfers' vehicle and had instructed her then-boyfriend, Jesús Gerardo, to "bring me a good phone and good tyres for my pickup truck."
Details of the Incident
The bodies of the three men were discovered in a deep well with gunshot wounds to the head. Jesús Gerardo, along with two other individuals identified as Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús, reportedly followed the victims' vehicle to their campsite. They proceeded to rob the individuals before fatally shooting them. The legal cases against Jesús Gerardo, Irineo Francisco, and Ángel Jesús are ongoing.
Suspected Connections
Mexican newspaper La Silla Rota has reported alleged connections between Jesús Gerardo and Irineo Francisco and the Sinaloa cartel, formerly led by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Both men are currently held in El Hongo, a maximum-security prison in Baja California, while Ángel Jesús is detained in Ensenada. However, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports that prosecutors do not suspect links between the murders and organized crime.
Victims and Court Proceedings
Callum Robinson, 33, was a member of Australia's national lacrosse team residing in San Diego. His younger brother, Jake Robinson, 30, was an Australian resident who had traveled to visit Callum and was scheduled to begin a new medical position upon his return. Carter Rhoad, 30, was a San Diego resident employed by a technology services company and was several months from his planned marriage.
During the hearing, family members of the victims provided impact statements. Ari Gisell delivered an apology in court, acknowledging that her words could not compensate or bring peace to the affected families. She stated her focus on personal improvement and expressed remorse for the losses sustained.