The husband of a Burbank elementary school teacher who was allegedly killed by her own son is speaking out

A husband is heartbroken as he remembers his wife, who was allegedly murdered by their son in their Burbank home.

On May 7, police responded to a home in the 800 block of North Avon Street around 10 p.m. Police discovered 57-year-old Karyn Lombardo, who was unconscious. Life-saving measures were initiated, but the woman’s death was confirmed at the scene of the accident.

Her son, Kyle Lombardo, 25, was arrested in connection with her death. Karyn was a beloved teacher who worked at Bret Harte Elementary School for over 30 years.

Her husband, Vince Lombardo, remains devastated by his wife’s death and remembers the kind, loving woman who changed the lives of her students.

“It’s a loss to the world,” Vince said emotionally.

Vince and Karyn have been married for 31 years and have two adult children together. Karyn was a popular kindergarten teacher who taught a variety of subjects including performing arts, choir, intervention and more.

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

Vince last spoke to his wife just before 10 p.m. Tuesday night while staying overnight in Lake Arrowhead.

“We texted and everything was fine,” he remembers. “I was expecting to see her today and then I got the call.”

The phone call he received shortly after their conversation would change his life forever, as Burbank police informed him that his wife had been found dead.

Investigators determined that Karyn was allegedly killed in an altercation with her son Kyle. It is unclear what initially led to the confrontation as details are limited so far.

Vince said that Kyle, who lives in the home with his parents, suffers from mental illness and that police have been called to their home in the past.

“It’s a reactionary system and that’s basically what I was told,” Vince said of his son. “Until something happens, there’s nothing you can do. That’s because there isn’t enough help to help these people, especially as they grow up.”

“She loved him more than anything and tried to help him,” Vince said of his wife. “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.”

John Paramo, superintendent of the Burbank Unified School District, released a statement on Karyn’s death, saying, among other things:

“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. Her dedication, warmth and passion for teaching 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.”

Lombardo began her career as a bilingual teacher at Joaquin Miller Elementary in 1990 before moving to Bret Harte Elementary School three years later.

A growing memorial filled with flowers and personal notes could be seen outside the elementary school Wednesday evening.

Kyle was arrested for murder and is being held on $2 million bail. His first court date is scheduled for May 9th.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with further information is asked to call Burbank Crime Stoppers at 818-238-3210.