Supporters hold signd during a rally at Orlando City Hall on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Supporters gathered there to demand additional investigation into the death of Yolna Lubrin, who was found dead Thursday hanging from a tree in Orlando. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
On Sept. 28, Orlando police discovered Yolna Lubrin hanging from a tree in a backyard. The Orange County medical examiner reportedly told WESH 2 this week that Yolna’s cause of death and autopsy report is still under review. However, law enforcement has suggested that their investigation thus far points to self-harm.
Editor’s Note: This story contains sensitive material. If you or someone you know may be struggling with their mental health or contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or local law enforcement at 911.
Yolna’s sister Naomi Lubrin and family advocate Miles Mulrain Jr. and Pastor Carl Soto spoke outside of Orlando PD’s headquarters on Wednesday, per the Orlando Sentinel. Speaking on behalf of the family, Pastor Carl requested that Orlando PD take back their suicide allegations and investigate further.
As mentioned, Yolna Lubrin was found deceased in the back of a house on West Livingston Street. While some local reports claim Yolna was discovered in her backyard, others say she did not reside in the attached home. Additionally, her family has said, per WESH, that Yolna had no connection to the neighborhood. Pastor Soto has called for police to investigate anyone connected to the home she was found at.
Meanwhile, Orlando PD appears adamant about their initial self-harm conclusion. In a press statement sent on Tuesday via email, a police spokesperson claimed the investigation’s findings “all point to suicide.” Those findings reportedly include witness statements, Yolna’s mental health history, cell communications, and physical evidence.
“While all death investigations are predicated upon the existence of trauma to the body in order to determine a criminal act, our investigation has thus far not revealed any physical injuries other than the ligature marks on the neck caused by the hanging,” Orlando PD stated.
However, according to Newsone, Pastor Soto alleged that Orlando PD overlooked vital evidence, including Yolna’s “severely vandalized” car “with all the doors open.” It’s unclear who discovered the 31-year-old’s car and which residence or area it was found in.
The department’s statement reportedly said detectives have “been in contact with the victim’s family throughout the investigation.” But her sister disagrees. Naomi claims Orlando PD has failed to be transparent with the family. Her statement comes after She cites their lack of communication about their findings in the days before they released a statement to the press.
“No one has been able to stand and say, ‘Hey let’s have a conversation with the family to get a different narrative.’ No one has been empathetic of our needs,” Naomi Lubrin said on Wednesday.
At Wednesday’s press conference and Tuesday’s rally outside of City Hall, Yolna’s family spoke highly of her. Her sister Naomi revealed that Yolna was a caretaker for her disabled mother.
“My sister was loved, and she cared for so many people,” Naomi said. “I want everyone to know that she was a comedian, and she would brighten up the scene, she would brighten up the room that she walks in, and that her life should not be so dark as it is today,” Naomi said.
Next Friday (Oct. 13) would’ve marked Yolna Lubrin’s 32nd birthday.
Community organizer Miles Mulrain Jr. says the family hopes for transparency and a new investigation into the case.
“We want to see the detectives be fully transparent about what steps have been taken to give this family justice and to not just treat it like a standard suicide case because there’s nothing standard about this case.” He added, “We’re not just asking for media awareness, we’re asking for a new investigation.”
There are no further updates on the investigation at this time.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with their mental health or contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or local law enforcement at 911.
