[Updated: Wed., Sept. 30, 2026, 1:30 p.m.]
According to the uncle of Pablo Fabian Hernandez, who was murdered in Chase Palm Park on Thursday, the 18-year-old had been missing for two weeks before his death.
Santa Barbara Police Department investigators confirmed that Hernandez’s death was a homicide and have not yet released any details as to the events that led up to the incident.
At about 7 p.m. on Thursday September 24, SBPD received a 9-1-1 call reporting an unresponsive man in Chase Palm Park, and 14 officers were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, officers found Hernandez with multiple injuries to the upper body but still with signs of life and started performing CPR. Paramedics arrived and transported him to Cottage Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. According to his uncle, police told the family that Hernandez was stabbed to death.
According to SBPD Commander Ahrens, eight off-duty detectives arrived on scene that evening to start the investigation that extended into the following morning, in addition to “a total of about 23 officers who ended up working on it throughout the night and into the next morning.”
Hernandez had moved to Santa Barbara from Mexico two years ago to join his father, who had moved to the area in 2022. Hernandez did not go to school and instead helped his father with his landscaping business.
The last time Hernandez’s father heard from him was two weeks before his death, and his uncle said in an interview in Spanish that “his father could not find him.”
Hernandez’s family and friends are inviting the Santa Barbara community to a fundraiser on Sunday October 4, at La Virgencita (227 N. Nopal Street). Funds raised will go toward sending Hernandez’s body back to his hometown in Mexico to be buried by his mother and loved ones.
In a flyer circulating on social media, it says that every donation, however small, “brings Pablo Fabian closer to home.”
As of Wednesday, SBPD was not able to say publicly if there are any suspects, but was able to confirm that there have been no arrests made on murder charges. Commander Ahrens said that almost the entire detective bureau is still actively working on the case, investigating evidence, and attempting to contact witnesses. He was able to confirm that at this time, the incident was not gang related.
Police are encouraging those who may know something about the incident to contact the SBPD office by calling (805) 897-2355.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to add additional details from police.
