Joshua Ybarra
Joshua Ybarra, 34, grew up with the Gomez family, and about 30 people attended a candlelight vigil in his memory, where his childhood best friend Mateo Gomez spoke. He died on September 30, 2026, in the back of a Colorado Springs Police Department patrol car parked in the sally port of the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center, before he had been booked. Police say he had an unknown medical event, and the police homicide unit is investigating while the coroner's office says the cause and manner of death are pending. A Fight Back! News account, citing family and advocacy groups, says officers were told he needed medical attention for problems from a brain injury and left him in the cruiser for over two hours before he was found unresponsive. Family and advocates are calling for an independent review and the release of the autopsy.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). Police say he had an unknown medical event in a patrol car before booking, while advocates say officers left him in the cruiser for over two hours after being told he needed medical attention, and family and advocates are calling for an independent investigation and release of the autopsy.
Reported by: Colorado Springs Police Department (the agency that held him); Family and advocacy groups COSAARPR and FRSO (advocates).
Sources (5)
- Colorado Springs police investigating after suspect’s in-custody death
- Colorado Springs Police investigating in-custody death
- Man’s death in Colorado Springs police vehicle prompts investigation
- Family and community gather for Josh Ybarra after wrongful death in police custody
- Man who died in police car on the way to jail identified by El Paso County Coroner