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Contested death (2000 to present)

Yolna Lubrin

Ruled suicide, disputedSep 28, 2023 · Age 30 · Orlando, FL

Who Yolna was

Yolna Ruth Lubrin, known to her family as "Yo-Yo," was a few weeks short of her birthday when she died in Orlando in September 2023. Her sister Naomi calls her brilliant, amazing and talented, a young woman with a big voice and a strong character who was full of laughter and always gave love.

Yolna was her mother's primary caregiver and a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews. Her family says she believed in unity above all else.

When she died she was getting ready to move closer to her sister and relatives in South Florida. She had a place to live and a job lined up, and she planned to pursue her goal of becoming an entrepreneur.

Portrait of Yolna Lubrin
Courtesy of Naomi Lubrin · where it was shared

In the words of those who knew them

  • “She was a brilliant, smart, intelligent, young lady.”Naomi Lubrin, her sister · source
  • “She had a heart of gold.”Naomi Lubrin, her sister · source
  • “This shouldn't have been her story.”Naomi Lubrin, her sister · source

What happened

Yolna Lubrin, who would have turned 31 on Oct. 13, 2023, was found around 7:40 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2023, in a tree in the backyard of a home on West Livingston Street in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood. Orlando police officers responding to an "unattended death" call found her, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Black News & Views reported texts from the night before in which she said she was with someone she called "creepy." Her sister Naomi said two men who lived behind the home recorded video of her and didn't notify police.

On Oct. 3, Orlando police released initial findings, saying witness statements, her phone communications and physical evidence all pointed to suicide. Police said the investigation remained open and that the Orange County Medical Examiner's Office would make the official determination. Capital B reported that the department released the findings without first telling the family. That evening more than 60 people rallied at Orlando City Hall.

"My sister, Yolna Ruth Lubrin, did not commit suicide," Naomi said at a news conference on Oct. 4. Family attorney Life Malcolm described police communication as "strangely cold and with no transparency." The family hired an independent pathologist for a second autopsy, buried Yolna on Oct. 28 and held nearly weekly protests demanding that police release their investigative records. As of Capital B's December 2023 update, the medical examiner hadn't issued a ruling, and no ruling or independent autopsy results have been made public in coverage found since.

The case

Where found
Tree in the backyard of a home in the Parramore neighborhood
Official finding
Suicide (Orlando Police finding, Oct 3, 2023). No Orange County Medical Examiner ruling had been made public as of Capital B's Dec. 1, 2023 update.
Time to finding
Police statement 5 days after she was found; no medical examiner ruling made public
Investigation
Orlando Police homicide detectives responded. Police cited witness statements, phone records, physical evidence and a documented mental health history. Capital B reported police closed the case as a suicide pending the medical examiner's determination.
Family position
Her family rejects the suicide conclusion and says police did not investigate thoroughly. They held near-weekly protests asking police to release investigative records. Family attorney Life Malcolm criticized police communication as lacking transparency.
Public evidence
The family hired an independent pathologist for a second autopsy; no results have been reported. More than 60 people rallied at Orlando City Hall in October 2023.
Federal review
None reported
Last verified
2026-11-14
Verification note: Age conflict: Capital B and NABJ Black News & Views say she was 30, about to turn 31 on Oct 13, 2023; Spectrum News 13 and others say 31. No final medical examiner ruling was found.

Sources

Record history

  1. Nov 14, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Record updated
    • Official finding: Suicide (Orlando Police finding, Oct 3, 2023). No Orange County Medical Examiner ruling had been made public as of Capital B's Dec. 1, 2023 update.
    • Time to finding: Police statement 5 days after she was found; no medical examiner ruling made public
  2. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Record updated
    • What happened updated
    • What happened sources updated
  3. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Record updated
    • Age: 30
    • Family position: Her family rejects the suicide conclusion and says police did not investigate thoroughly. They held near-weekly protests asking police to release investigative records. Family attorney Life Malcolm criticized police communication as lacking transparency.
    • Public evidence: The family hired an independent pathologist for a second autopsy; no results have been reported. More than 60 people rallied at Orlando City Hall in October 2023.
    • Verification note: Age conflict: Capital B and NABJ Black News & Views say she was 30, about to turn 31 on Oct 13, 2023; Spectrum News 13 and others say 31. No final medical examiner ruling was found.
  4. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Record updated
    • Life updated
    • Remembered updated
    • Life sources updated
  5. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Portrait added (Courtesy of Naomi Lubrin)
  6. Oct 18, 2026 · Reviewed update
    Case added
    • Name: Yolna Lubrin
    • Age: 31
    • Date found: 2023-09-28
    • City or county: Orlando
    • State: FL
    • Status: Ruled suicide, disputed
    • Where found: Tree in the backyard of a home in the Parramore neighborhood
    • Official finding: Suicide (Orlando Police finding, Oct 3, 2023). Orange County Medical Examiner ruling not located as of Capital B's Dec 1, 2023 update.
    • Time to finding: Police statement 5 days after she was found; medical examiner ruling not located
    • Investigation: Orlando Police homicide detectives responded. Police cited witness statements, phone records, physical evidence and a documented mental health history. Capital B reported police closed the case as a suicide pending the medical examiner's determination.
    • Family position: Her sister publicly rejects the suicide finding. The family hired an independent pathologist and held regular protests asking police to release investigation records. Their attorney criticized the police response as lacking transparency.
    • Public evidence: Family has pointed to her clothing, damage to her car and videos of the scene taken by people on the property. Police said they found no injuries inconsistent with their finding.
    • Federal review: None reported
    • Verification note: Outlets differ on status: Black Enterprise said police ruled the death a suicide; Spectrum News 13 (Oct 4, 2023) said the cause was still under investigation with the medical examiner to issue the final ruling; Capital B said police closed the case as suicide pending the medical examiner. If only a medical examiner ruling counts, status would be open.
    • Sources updated