Burbank kindergarten teacher killed, son charged with her murder

BURBANK, Calif. - A Burbank has been charged with the murder of his own mother.

Kyle Lombardo 25, was charged Thursday with the murder of his mother, 57-year-old Karyn Lombardo, a longtime Burbank kindergarten teacher. Kyle Lombardo was held on $2 million bail, as his arraignment was postponed to May 22. 

It happened Tuesday around 10 p.m. at their home in the 800 block of N. Avon Street, according to police. 

(Burbank Unified School District)

Officers said they were called out to the home, which Karyn Lombardo shared with her son and husband, for reports of "an unconscious female." First responders tried to save her, but Karyn Lombardo died at the scene.

Police said that she'd died after "an altercation in the family home," but provided no other details.

After investigating, officers arrested Kyle Lombardo based on information and evidence obtained at the scene, according to officials. He is being held on $2 million bail.  

The motive is unknown and it is not clear if the husband was home during the crime. 

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Karyn Lombardo was a longtime Burbank Unified School District teacher, most recently at Bret Harte Elementary.

"Over the course of her highly accomplished career, Ms. Lombardo touched the lives of thousands of students, parents, and colleagues, who will be mourning this loss in the days to come," Superintendent John Paramo wrote in a message to district families on Wednesday. "Her dedication, warmth, and passion for teaching touched many students and colleagues' lives. Her profound impact and loss on this community will be deeply felt throughout the city of Burbank."

According to Paramo, Lombardo joined the district in 1990, teaching bilingual classes at Joaquin Miller Elementary School. She transferred to Bret Harte in 1993, teaching kindergarten and performing arts.

Counselors were made available to students and staff at the school following news of her death, the superintendent said.

"Ms. Lombardo, a beloved teacher in the Burbank community, had her life senselessly taken," Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a press release Thursday. "I want to assure the victim's family and the community that our office is fully committed to seeking justice and accountability in this tragedy."

Anyone with information is asked to call Burbank Police detectives at 818-238-3210.