Visalia man arrested accused of killing girlfriend

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- In the South Valley, Visalia police arrested a man they say killed his girlfriend. Andres Ybarra, 32, is accused of killing 26-year-old Ruby Lopez.

Police responded to a Visalia home last Friday for a medical aid call. There they found Lopez dead.

Police said they could see she had minor injuries, but said her cause of death was not readily apparent. So detectives from the violent crimes unit were called out.

"Earlier this week there was an autopsy conducted on the 26-year-old female, which based on the coroner's findings, ruled this to be a homicide. There were some injuries on her person that were committed by another person," said Sgt. Damon Maurice, Visalia Police Department.

Based on their investigation, police believe that person Ybarra, who lived with Lopez.

Nearly a week after his girlfriend's death, Ybarra was arrested Wednesday at his job in Downtown Visalia for her murder.

"Yeah, Mr. Ybarra and other family members were interviewed on the day of the incident on July 1st. After the coroner's report came out earlier this week, Mr. Ybarra was interviewed yet again," said Maurice.

Police aren't releasing details on Lopez's cause of death. Only saying the Coroner's Office has determined someone else killed her.

The case has not been submitted for review at the Tulare County District Attorney's Office.

No word yet on when Ybarra will face a judge.

Ybarra is the brother of Action News reporter Joe Ybarra.

This is the city of Visalia's fourth homicide so far this year.