Death of surfer in Mexico: Accused man confessed to girlfriend, court said

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

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

The suspect, known as “El Kekas,” appeared in court on Wednesday on kidnapping charges, but officials say murder charges will soon be filed.

He has not yet entered a plea.

Officials in the state of Baja California said the three tourists – all in their early 30s – were likely killed as they tried to prevent the tires of their pickup truck from being stolen.

According to local authorities, their bodies were found six days after their disappearance in a cliffside well, each shot in the head. A fourth body was also found in the well, but had been lying there for a long time and was unrelated to the case, they added.

The suspect, who under Mexican law can only be described by his first name, Jesús Gerardo, was charged with “enforced disappearance,” and his girlfriend Ari Gisel and another man were arrested for their alleged involvement. Their last names were suppressed by the courts.

During Wednesday’s court appearance, prosecutors named Ari – who has not been charged in her disappearance – as one of their witnesses.

The court heard how the 23-year-old told investigators that Jesús showed up at her house on April 28 and told her he had done something to “three gringos.”

She asked what he meant, to which he replied: “I killed her,” the hearing was told.

He then showed her that he had fitted her car with new tires that were allegedly stolen from the slain surfers, prosecutors allege.

They also told the court they believed other people were involved in the murders.

Earlier this week, Jake and Callum Robinson’s parents traveled from Perth to Mexico to identify their bodies.

In an emotional tribute on Tuesday, Debra Robinson said: “Now it’s time to bring her home to family and friends and to the ocean waves of Australia.”

The killings have sparked fear and anger in Baja California.

It is one of the most violent states in Mexico, where local drug gangs fight for turf.

But the area around Ensenada, about 120 km (75 miles) south of the U.S.-Mexico border and known for its surfing conditions, is considered safer and has long attracted tourists from California.

Scores of demonstrators marched through the city on Sunday carrying surfboards emblazoned with slogans for safe beaches.

A group of surfers later performed a “paddle-out” ceremony, a vigil on the sea in honor of the trio.