FRESNO, Calif. — The Fresno community is mourning the loss of Kassandra “Kana” Garza, a Fresno native, Fresno City College criminology student, and beloved sister and friend, who died on Thursday, July 23, 2026, after an incident at Community Regional Medical Center. She was 32.
Known affectionately as “Kana” and “Kana Kirbylicious,” Garza is being remembered for her unwavering loyalty, compassionate heart, and willingness to help others, even while quietly facing her own personal struggles.
According to Fresno authorities, emergency crews responded around 12 p.m. Thursday to reports of a woman in distress on the fifth floor of a parking garage at the Community Hospital campus. Officers with the Fresno Police Department, firefighters, and a crisis negotiator spent approximately 45 minutes attempting to communicate with Garza while emergency personnel positioned an inflatable safety cushion below.
Despite those efforts, Garza fell from the structure. She was transported to the intensive care unit, where she later died from her injuries.
Following her passing, Garza’s sister, Pressie Garza, appealed to the public through social media for information from anyone who may have seen Kassandra before the incident or witnessed her attempting to seek assistance at the hospital.
Raised in Fresno, Garza studied Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Corrections at Fresno City College and had recently been living in Spring, Texas, while maintaining strong ties to her hometown.
Her family described her as someone who always put others before herself. She loved Superman, Monster Energy drinks, trying new foods, and spending time with those she cared about. Friends remembered her as fiercely protective, dependable, and someone who never hesitated to help anyone in need.
In a heartfelt tribute, her sister wrote that Kana was “the most loyal, protective, and one-of-a-kind human being” who would “drop what they were doing to go and help.”
The family has also shared that Garza lived with mental health challenges and hopes her story encourages greater awareness, compassion, and support for those facing similar struggles.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with funeral and memorial expenses.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, help is available. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or contact local emergency services if someone is in immediate danger.