Jake and Callum Robinson: Mexican authorities say Perth brothers killed near beach known for drug-running
Gerardo, also known as 'El Kekas', Angel Jesús and Ari Gisselle were all arrested soon after the alleged killings, while a fourth man – Irineo Francisco – was arrested some time later.
Gerardo, Jesús and Francisco were charged with aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery, grand theft auto and forced disappearance.
Gisselle was charged with the same offences, excluding forced disappearance.
Gerardo and Francisco both appeared via video link from the 'El Hongo' prison, while Gisselle and Jesús appeared in person in court on Thursday.
Gisselle and Jesús were manacled together at the ankles.
The ABC reported that court documents revealed Gerardo and Francisco's alleged links to the Sinaloa cartel were behind their transfer to a prison branded as being among the world's toughest.
Jesus Gerardo, known as El Kekas. Credit:
The men have different attorneys, but two failed to appear in court, leading to the rescheduling of the pre-trial hearing to later this month.
Gerardo's attorney requested to join all the charges together on the same indictment to streamline further court processes.
The outcome of the request will be determined at the pre-trial hearing on July 25.
It is understood there have been difficulties in determining and agreeing on the facts of the case, and that Gisselle, Jesús and Francisco could have their charges changed to exclude aggravated homicide. All four will remain in prison until the next hearing.
The Robinson family made no statement about the proceedings other than thanking followers on Instagram for their support.
A Mexican not-for-profit aimed at combating corruption said it was important to see justice where '99 per cent of murders never see the light'.
It said nearly two-thirds of Mexican people had lost trust in the local justice system, and 77 per cent of Mexicans believed crime was often only prioritised when it was subject to media or political pressure.
Human rights organisations have said previously that many victims of crime in Mexico are predominantly Mexicans, with cartels avoiding targeting tourists due to the potential of attracting attention.
A demonstrator's bodyboard reads in Spanish 'No more violence' during protests at the death of the Robinson brothers and their American friend in Ensenada, Mexico, last year. Credit: AP
The fourth body in the well where the bodies of the men were found was believed to be that of a farmer who recently lost control of the ranch to the Sinaloa cartel.
Authorities have previously said the men's deaths were not connected to cartel violence, and were instead petty theft gone wrong.
The Tijuana Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, and Sinaloa Cartel are warring at present for control of the region.
Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the sources of some information pertaining to the case.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Carolina Wilga: German backpacker discharged from Evangelical Hospital
Backpacker Carolina Wilga has been discharged from a German hospital, almost two weeks after she was found missing in WA's outback. Evangelical Hospital spokesperson Kathrin Simonis on Thursday confirmed Ms Wilga was 'no longer admitted in this hospital', according to News Corp. The hospital is located in her family's hometown, Castrop-Rauxe, about 70km north-east of Dusseldorf. German newspaper BILD reported Ms Wilga had touched down at Dusseldorf Airport on Sunday afternoon, where she was escorted in a private ambulance to Evangelical Hospital. The 26-year-old was met by a nurse who — with the assistance of bodyguards — helped her into a wheelchair. A spokesperson for Castrop-Rauxel City's mayoral office said Mayor Rajko Kravanja was 'really, really happy' Ms Wilga was found safe and well. 'He was extremely moved by the entire story with Carolina, but it wasn't of course just about the mayor, it was the whole population here, the people of our town were really moved and and really concerned,' a spokesperson told the masthead on Thursday. 'We are now all so happy that it has ended this way, and that Carolina is now back here in Castrop-Rauxel, and back with her family.' Ms Wilga miraculously survived 11 nights alone in the remote Wheatbelt bush after her crashing her car, hitting her head and wandering off in a state of confusion. She survived by drinking rainwater from puddles and sleeping in a cave before she was spotted by local farmer, Tania French. Ms Wilga spent four nights recovering in Fiona Stanley Hospital before being discharged last Wednesday afternoon. In a statement, Ms Wilga thanked the WA community for their 'outpouring of support'. 'Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community,' she said. 'The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments.' Ms Wilga farewelled Perth in a touching Instagram post at the weekend. 'Reunion with the ocean and a great goodbye to Perth with loooots of hugs ❤️ love you all,' she captioned the since deleted post. She shared several photos of her time in hospital, at Cottesloe Beach with friends, and a front page of The West Australian that featured her dramatic ordeal. Speculation is mounting Ms Wilga may have signed an exclusive deal to tell her story to a German television network.


Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Incredible update on German backpacker Carolina Wilga
Backpacker Carolina Wilga has been discharged from a German hospital, almost two weeks after she was found missing in WA's outback. Evangelical Hospital spokesperson Kathrin Simonis on Thursday confirmed Ms Wilga was 'no longer admitted in this hospital', according to News Corp. The hospital is located in her family's hometown, Castrop-Rauxe, about 70km north-east of Dusseldorf. German newspaper BILD reported Ms Wilga had touched down at Dusseldorf Airport on Sunday afternoon, where she was escorted in a private ambulance to Evangelical Hospital. The 26-year-old was met by a nurse who — with the assistance of bodyguards — helped her into a wheelchair. Carolina Wilga has returned to Germany. Credit: WA POLICE A spokesperson for Castrop-Rauxel City's mayoral office said Mayor Rajko Kravanja was 'really, really happy' Ms Wilga was found safe and well. 'He was extremely moved by the entire story with Carolina, but it wasn't of course just about the mayor, it was the whole population here, the people of our town were really moved and and really concerned,' a spokesperson told the masthead on Thursday. 'We are now all so happy that it has ended this way, and that Carolina is now back here in Castrop-Rauxel, and back with her family.' Ms Wilga miraculously survived 11 nights alone in the remote Wheatbelt bush after her crashing her car, hitting her head and wandering off in a state of confusion. She survived by drinking rainwater from puddles and sleeping in a cave before she was spotted by local farmer, Tania French. Ms Wilga spent four nights recovering in Fiona Stanley Hospital before being discharged last Wednesday afternoon. In a statement, Ms Wilga thanked the WA community for their 'outpouring of support'. 'Western Australia has taught me what it really means to be part of a true community,' she said. 'The thought of all the people who believed in me, searched for me, and kept hoping for me gave me the strength to carry on during my darkest moments.' Ms Wilga farewelled Perth in a touching Instagram post at the weekend. 'Reunion with the ocean and a great goodbye to Perth with loooots of hugs ❤️ love you all,' she captioned the since deleted post. She shared several photos of her time in hospital, at Cottesloe Beach with friends, and a front page of The West Australian that featured her dramatic ordeal. Speculation is mounting Ms Wilga may have signed an exclusive deal to tell her story to a German television network.

ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
No Return: Australia's Missing Billions
The ATO is one of the most powerful and secretive institutions in the country, but for years, it's operated without effective scrutiny. In this major Four Corners investigation, award-winning financial journalists Neil Chenoweth and Angus Grigg reveal how inaction and flawed systems have allowed more than $50 billion in tax to go uncollected. They unpick how a simple scam, supercharged on social media, saw tens of thousands of Australians fraudulently claim at least $2 billion in GST refunds. They also show how corporate operators extracted millions more through fake invoices and phantom construction projects, often without triggering even basic checks. And they expose how deep cuts, digital automation and a lack of independent oversight has left one of Australia's most powerful institutions wide open to exploitation. Born of years of forensic reporting by two of Australia's most respected financial journalists in collaboration with the ABC's investigations team, No Return exposes systemic failures inside one of the nation's most opaque institutions. It demonstrates why every taxpayer should demand accountability from the very agency entrusted to uphold it. No Return, reported by Angus Grigg and Neil Chenoweth, and produced by Kyle Taylor, goes to air on Monday 28 July at 8:30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.