Kindergarten teacher murdered by her son: police

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — A 57-year-old kindergarten teacher was killed in her Burbank home and her 25-year-old son is suspected of killing her, police said Wednesday.

Police found Karyn Lombardo, a teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, unconscious in her home in the 800 block of North Avon Street on Tuesday and arrested her son, Kyle Lombardo, on suspicion of murder. News of her death shocked the community where she taught. Police have not revealed a motive for the killing.

“When police and paramedics arrived, they found the woman unconscious in the house. Officers and paramedics performed life-saving measures, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene,” Burbank police said in a written statement.

Karyn Lombardo lived in the home with her adult son and husband.

“Ms. Lombardo’s adult son was subsequently arrested … based on information and evidence at the scene that indicated he caused her death during an altercation at the family home,” police said. “There are no outstanding suspects or a threat to the community.”

Kyle Lombardo is being held on $2 million bail.

Her husband of 31 years, Vince Lombardo, told KTLA he was devastated, adding that his wife deeply loves their son, who suffers from mental illness.

“She loved him more than anything and tried to help him,” he told KTLA. “All of her students love her. As they came through the system here, there were students who became teachers because of them. She is a great person and if you ask anyone I think she is too kind and she loves more than anything.

“She has been a teacher in Burbank for over 30 years and has a big following in Burbank… Lots of kids, lots of people. I always called her the unofficial mayor of Burbank.”

Burbank Unified School District Superintendent John Paramo sent a message to district families Wednesday

“Throughout her highly successful career, Ms. Lombardo touched the lives of thousands of students, parents and colleagues who will mourn this loss in the days ahead,” Superintendent John Paramo wrote in a message to district families Wednesday. “Her dedication, warmth and passion for teaching have touched the lives of many students and colleagues. Their profound impact and loss to this community will be deeply felt throughout the city of Burbank.”

Paramo said Lombardo joined the district in 1990 and taught bilingual classes at Joaquin Miller Elementary School. In 1993, she moved to Bret Harte, where she taught kindergarten and performing arts.

After news of her death, counselors were made available to students by school staff, the principal said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Crime Stoppers at 818-238-3210.

City News Service contributed to this report.