Popular Palm Springs Jiu-Jitsu studio owner killed in an apparent homicide in Cathedral City

Cathedral City police are investigating the death of a popular Jiu-Jitsu studio owner as a homicide, authorities said Wednesday night.

Ramon Diaz, owner of Palm Springs Jiu-Jitsu, was found "suffering from trauma to the body" in 31-300 block of Whispering Palms Trail in Cathedral City on Wednesday evening. Police were dispatched to the scene around 9:45 p.m. and Diaz was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

About 50 people gathered at Diaz's Jiu-Jitsu studio on Gene Autry Trail for an impromptu memorial on Thursday morning. His brother, Tony Diaz, called one of the instructors who was there and was put on speaker phone to address those gathered.

“I’m completely devastated by this,” Tony Diaz said.

“My brother talked about you all the time,” he told the crowd, which included many of Diaz' students.

Crime news: Norco College suspect wanted to ‘see people die,’ researched other mass shootings, police say

Crime news: Palm Springs High School student accused of threats of violence against students and staff

Crime news: After Oasis of Mara fire in Joshua Tree National Park, man arrested on suspicion of arson

Tony Diaz told the mourners that his brother was always proud of them and loved them like his own family. One member of the group led a prayer for Diaz and his family.

Juan Caballero said he had known Diaz since 2007. He and his kids did Taekwondo at the time, and a friend suggested they try Jiu-Jitsu. Caballero said he immediately felt comfortable with Diaz.

“He was a great person, a great guy, he welcomed me in,” he said. "He has made a big difference for us."

Caballero said Diaz was important in the community and was a great instructor and even better friend, the kind of person who always made time for other people.

"For us to find this out now, what happened, it’s heartbreaking,” he said

He described Diaz as one-of-a-kind, a person who always did the right thing no matter what. Caballero said the Jiu-Jitsu instructor always made time to talk to people about their lives and share advice. He said losing him would be “life changing.”

His daughter, Jade Caballero, also a student, said Diaz was very nice and she trusted him a lot.

Zaid Ramirez, a student and instructor at Palm Springs Jiu-Jitsu, said Diaz treated all his students and friends with respect.

“He treated everyone immediately like family,” he said.

Ramirez said Diaz had a great sense of humor, and that his students would always joke with him about his always wanting to take pictures and how long it took his old Samsung phone to snap the shots. He would joke back that his camera was buffering.

Cathedral City police are asking anyone with more information about the homicide to call Detective Barkley, or Sergeant Sanchez, at (760) 202-2488.

Click here to support Ramon Diaz's funeral organized by Justin Vazquez.