Visalia Man Convicted of Murdering Girlfriend

Today in Department 5 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, Judge Juliet Boccone presiding, a jury found Andres Ybarra, age 35, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his 26-year-old girlfriend.

On the morning of July 1, 2016, the victim was found by emergency personnel at the couple’s home in bed. Ybarra claimed that she had overdosed on prescription medication. An autopsy on July 5 revealed massive internal injuries including four broken ribs, lacerations to her liver, a ruptured kidney, and damage to the renal artery. Additionally, she had hemorrhaging in her neck and head, a broken bone in her neck indicating strangulation, a black eye, and a broken nose. The cause of death was attributed to strangulation and blunt force trauma. Ybarra was arrested the next day.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2019, in Superior Court where Ybarra faces 15 years-to-life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by deputy district attorney Kirk Davis of the Special Crimes Division and was investigated by Agent Mona Whaley of the Visalia Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494