By Benson Daniel
The father of two Australian surfers murdered during a trip to Mexico has described the ordeal of identifying his sons’ bodies as “hell” as the trial of three men accused of their killings entered its second day.
Martin Robinson told the court that the deaths of his sons, Jake and Callum Robinson, had left a permanent void in the family and robbed them of futures filled with plans, dreams and opportunities.
The brothers, aged 30 and 33, were killed alongside their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, during a surfing and camping trip along Mexico’s Pacific coast in April 2024.
Their bodies were later discovered in a remote shaft after the group disappeared, with authorities alleging that the men were killed during an attempted robbery.
Giving emotional evidence, Martin recalled the devastating moment he and his family travelled to Mexico after receiving news that three bodies had been found.
He said identifying Callum was possible through a distinctive tattoo on his forearm, while identifying Jake proved more difficult and required the use of photographs.
“It’s hell,” Martin told the court, describing the pain of losing two sons under such violent circumstances.
He said the tragedy was not only about their deaths but also about the lives they would never get to live, the places they planned to visit and the relationships they would have continued to build.
Jake was a doctor who had been preparing to take up a cardiology position in Australia after returning from the surfing trip.
Callum had lived in the United States for about 12 years and was a talented lacrosse player with a wide circle of friends and interests.
Martin said he still sometimes reaches for his phone intending to call his sons before being confronted by the reality that those conversations will never happen again.
Despite the circumstances surrounding their deaths, he told the court that the family did not harbour hatred towards those accused of killing the men.
Instead, he said the family struggled to understand how anyone could take the lives of two young men with so much ahead of them.
The court also heard emotional testimony from Page Rhoad, the mother of Carter Rhoad.
She described the pain of losing her son and said the circumstances surrounding his death had been particularly difficult for the family to comprehend.
Rhoad was found with multiple gunshot wounds, and his mother described the injuries as resembling an execution.
She said her son loved Mexico, spoke fluent Spanish and had developed a strong affection for the country, its people, food and culture.
The trial has heard that the three victims were allegedly targeted during their journey because of their vehicle and other belongings. Their pickup truck was later found burned near the area where their bodies were discovered.
A protected witness has also testified about being present around the time of the killings and fleeing after hearing gunshots. The witness later said threats were made to discourage them from speaking about what happened.
The disappearance of the three men triggered an international search and widespread concern in Australia and the United States before their deaths were confirmed.
Three men are currently facing charges over the killings. The trial is expected to continue through September, with dozens of witnesses scheduled to give evidence.
For the Robinson family, however, the proceedings remain intertwined with a loss they say will never fully heal.
Martin told the court that the grief from losing both sons is something the family will carry for the rest of their lives.
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