Josh Ybarra
Josh Ybarra grew up with the Gomez family, and his childhood best friend, Mateo Gomez, spoke at a candlelight vigil for him attended by more than 30 people. On September 30, 2026, Josh died in the back of a Colorado Springs Police Department patrol cruiser parked in the sallyport of the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center, before he was booked. The police department said a medical event began while he was in the cruiser, and its homicide unit is investigating; the coroner will determine the cause and manner of death. The family and the advocacy groups COSAARPR and FRSO say officers were told he needed medical attention for health problems from a brain injury, yet left him in the cruiser for more than two hours, and that he was found unresponsive too late to save. They are calling for an investigation, an independent review, and release of the autopsy.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). Colorado Springs police say he suffered an unknown medical event in a patrol cruiser, while family and advocacy groups say officers were told he needed medical attention for brain-injury health problems and left him in the cruiser for over two hours, and they call for an independent investigation and release of the autopsy.
Reported by: Colorado Springs Police Department (the agency that held him); Family of Josh Ybarra (family or their lawyers); COSAARPR and FRSO advocacy groups (advocates).