On May 18, 2025, deputies from the Morongo Basin Station responded to a medical aid call at the 57090 block of Twentynine Palms Outer Highway in Yucca Valley. At the scene, they found David Tarbell, a 63-year-old resident of Yucca Valley, who was believed to have died from an overdose.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Overdose Response Team (ORT) took over the investigation. The Coroner’s Division later determined that Tarbell died due to toxicity from Fentanyl and Alprazolam.
Following an extended investigation, ORT investigators identified Tyler Lee Davis, 31, also of Yucca Valley, as the supplier of the drugs that led to Tarbell’s death. According to authorities, Davis had previous convictions related to narcotics sales and was wanted on an outstanding warrant by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Davis was arrested on July 23, 2025, and booked at West Valley Detention Center. The District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and filed murder charges against him. His bail was set at $1 million.
Detective Stephanie Garcia of the Gangs/Narcotics Division is handling inquiries regarding this case.
“SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department”
