A husband remains devastated after his wife was murdered in their Burbank home allegedly at the hands of their son.
On May 7, police responded to a home on the 800 block of North Avon Street at around 10 p.m. Police discovered Karyn Lombardo, 57, who was unconscious. Lifesaving measures were conducted but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her son, Kyle Lombardo, 25, was arrested in connection with her death. Karyn was a beloved teacher who had worked at Bret Harte Elementary School for over 30 years.
Her husband, Vince Lombardo, remains devastated over his wife’s death, remembering the kind, loving woman who made a difference in her students’ lives.
“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, chorus, intervention, and more.
“She’s been a teacher in Burbank for over 30 years and has a significant following in Burbank,” Vince said. “A lot of kids, a lot of people. I always called her the unofficial mayor of Burbank.”
Vince last spoke to his wife on Tuesday night shortly before 10 p.m. while he was staying overnight in Lake Arrowhead.
“We texted and everything was fine,” he recalled. “I expected 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 tell him his wife was found dead.
Detectives determined Karyn was allegedly killed during an altercation with her son, Kyle. It’s unclear what initially caused the confrontation as details remain limited.
Vince said that Kyle, who lives in the home with his parents, has a mental condition 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, you can’t do anything. That’s there’s not enough help to help these people, especially when they become adults.”
“She loved him more than anything and tried to help him,” Vince said of his wife. “All of her students love her. Coming through the system here, there were students who became teachers because of her. She’s a very magnificent person and I think if you ask anybody, I think she’s too kind and that she loves to a fault.”
John Paramo, superintendent of the Burbank Unified School District, released a statement on Karyn’s death saying in part:
“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. 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.”
Lombardo began her career as a bilingual teacher at Joaquin Miller Elementary in 1990 before transferring to Bret Harte Elementary School three years later.
A growing memorial filled with flowers and personal notes could be seen outside the elementary school on Wednesday night as families, students and parents continue grieving Karyn’s death.
“She was the heart and soul of Bret Harte, an outstanding teacher,” said Natalie Talamantes, the school’s incoming PTA President. “You would always see her in her bee costume. What a big loss for Bret Harte School.”
“She would always tell us that if we were down, just to love ourselves and to talk to our parents about it,” said Zoe Bautista, Karyn’s former student. “She would make us feel like we were the luckiest kids in the world.”
Kyle was arrested on murder charges and is being held on $2 million bail. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 9.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Burbank Police detectives at 818-238-3210.