Family of Black Woman Found Hanging From Tree Raising Money for Second Autopsy

The family of Yolna Lubrin, who was found hanging from a tree last week, has launched a crowdfunding page to raise money for her funeral and a second medical evaluation.

Lubrin, 30, who went by the name Yo-Yo, was found hanging from a tree at an Orlando residence last Thursday. The Orlando Police Department (OPD) said some of its officers cut her down from the tree.

Even though the investigation is ongoing and the initial autopsy hasn’t been completed, police have already said all signs point to a “suicide” and no foul play.

Lubrin's family disagrees, saying it seems evident to them that there was foul play. They have now set up a GoFundMe page to not just help pay for her funeral expenses, but also for a second autopsy.

“No search was applied inside the home because the Orlando Police Department stated they did not have 'probable cause' to enter the home,” stated Yo-Yo’s sister, Naomi Lubrin, who created the fundraising page. “Orlando Police Department is not communicating with the family about the discovery of the case and ruled it out as a suicide.”

Naomi added that police overlooked details during their investigation, like the fact that her sister's car reportedly was “severely vandalized with all the doors open.” The family also alleges that she was sexually assaulted prior to her death.

The Messenger reached out to the Orlando Police Department for comment, and also reached out to Naomi Lubrin for any other information.

Early reports indicated Lubrin was found hanging at her home, but the family said the residence where she was found was not her house. It was not immediately clear who the property belonged to.

More than 60 protesters gathered Tuesday evening at Orlando City Hall to voice their displeasure on how the case is being handled.

“My sister is an African-American woman. Why is she getting swept under the rug?” Naomi Lubrin asked those at the rally. “She was brilliant, she was amazing, she was laughter, but most of all she was loud.”

Miles Mulrain, an advocate and operator of local nonprofit Let Your Voice Be Heard, wrote on Facebook the day after Lubrin’s death that police were extraordinarily quick to call it suicide.

“They are immediately ruling it as a suicide, but finding any Black person hanging from a tree in 2023 requires more investigation no matter what,” Mulrain wrote. “Especially in this case because there are too many unanswered questions and not enough proof.”

OPD sent an email to media outlets this week that stated their initial discovery points toward “suicide” as the cause of death.

“Although her cause of death is still being investigated and will ultimately be decided by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office, the deceased individual’s documented history of mental illness, witness statements, cellular communications from Ms. Lubrin, and the physical evidence observed during the autopsy all point to suicide,” the police stated.  

Police said there are no visible physical injuries to Lubrin, other than ligature marks on her neck.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone.