On the morning of September 26th, 2025, 72-year old Yolanda Ramirez left home after kissing and hugging her husband of 49 years goodbye. She was going to pick up her older brother, at his request, and take him to the doctors office-an ordinary, compassionate act from a woman who spent her life caring for her family. However, within hours, Yolanda would be critically injured while in police custody. She would never hug her husband again. One week later, she would die because of those injuries.

A verbal dispute with her sister, who lived at the home with the brother, led to a call to the Brentwood Police. Home video and witness accounts document Yolanda being forcibly detained by officers. What followed was a level of force that many witnesses found deeply disturbing. Yolanda was tightly handcuffed and forced to her knees. Ignoring her statements that she was in pain and questioning why she was being arrested, two officers aggressively shoved Yolanda against a police vehicle and slammed her head into it. The door was closed on her legs and head as she was roughly pulled and pushed into the back of the police car. Officers searched her purse and vehicle. And while they handled paper work and chatted amongst themselves, Yolanda lay vomiting and helpless in the back seat for a substantial amount of time. By the time she was finally checked on, and medical help summoned, it was too late. She had suffered a massive brain bleed, fractured skull, and numerous other traumatic injuries.

Despite emergency surgery, Yolanda's injuries were catastrophic. On October 3rd, surrounded by family and faith, she passed away. Yolanda was an avid blood donor, and in a final act of generosity, her family honored her longstanding request and donated her lungs and kidneys- giving others a second chance at life.

Yolanda was not defined by this senseless tragedy. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. For 30 years she served her community as a data entry specialist and Spanish Interpreter with Contra Costa Health Services. She loved cooking for her family, proudly showing photos of her grandchildren, cheering on the Golden State Warriors and spending quiet days with her husband at the farmers market, movie theaters, or at home. She had no criminal history and was known as a gentle, caring presence to everyone who knew her.

Unfortunately, since that tragic day, the City of Brentwood has compounded the family's suffering by ignoring their pleas for information as to how the events unfolded on that day. While California law generally requires police body cam footage to be released within 45 days, the City Of Brentwood chose to keep the footage from the family for over 4 months. They have also failed to officially identify any of the officers involved in the tragic event.

Although law enforcement coroner concluded that Yolanda died of "natural causes", an independent forensic pathologist concluded that her death was a homicide due to police restraint. Faced with the lack of openness on the City's part, the family has been forced to file a lawsuit to obtain accountability, transparency, and justice for what happened to Yolanda.

Accountability and transparency in law enforcement activities not only protect communities, they also protect forthright officers from being tainted by the actions of a few. This is not about being anti-police. It is about being pro-human dignity. It is about asking hard questions when an elderly woman leaves home to help her family and never returns. Yolanda's family is seeking not just answers and justice, but also reform of certain police practices-so no other family has to endure this kind of loss.

We ask you to stand with us by listening, sharing Yolanda's story, and-if you are able-donating to aid her family as they navigate legal, medical, and funeral and community outreach costs. Our target goal is 40,000. Your support helps honor Yolanda's life and ensures that compassion, fairness, and accountability remain at the heart of our community.