Mexico surfer deaths: Man charged confessed to girlfriend, as court told

 

A man is charged over the disappearance of three tourists on a surfing trip in Mexico confessed to killing them, a court has heard.

Mexico surfer death

Two Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad were disappeared on 27 April near Ensenada.

Known as "El Kekas", the suspect appeared in court on Wednesday on the behalf of kidnapping charges, but officials say murder charges will soon be laid.

He is yet to enter a plea.

Baja California officials have said the three tourists  all in their early ages about 30s  were killed while trying to stop the tyres of their pickup truck being stolen.

After disappearing of six days, their bodies were found dumped in a cliffside, each with a head gunshot, according to local authorities. One more dead body was also found in the well but had been there longer and was not connected to the case, they added.

The suspect, Jesús Gerardo, has been charged with "forced disappearance" and his girlfriend Ari Gisel and another man, who have been detained for their suspected involvement. Their surnames have been repress by the courts.

During Wednesday's court hearings, prosecutors named Ari  who has not been charged over their disappearance  as one of their witnesses.

The court was informed that the 23 year old recounted to investigators that Jesús had visited her residence on April 28th, informing her that he had taken action against "three gringos." 

When she inquired about his statement, he allegedly confessed, stating "I killed them." Prosecutors asserted that he displayed later newly installed tires on her car, purportedly stolen from the deceased surfers. Furthermore, prosecutors indicated their belief that others were involved in the homicides. 

Recently, the parents of Jake and Callum Robinson journeyed from Perth to Mexico to identify their sons' bodies. In a heartfelt tribute, Debra Robinson expressed a desire to bring them back to their loved ones and the Australian coastline.

 The tragic incident has imbued fear and outrage in Baja California, a region known for its surfing spots but plagued by violence attributed to local drug factions. 

Despite of its reputation for relative safety, particularly in areas like Ensenada, located approximately 120 km south of the US Mexico border, the community has been shaken.

 In response, demonstrators took to the streets, brandishing surfboards adorned with calls for safer beaches. Subsequently, a group of surfers participated in a "paddle out" ceremony, an oceanic ritual aimed at honoring the memory of the three individuals.