The son who allegedly killed his mother, a beloved California kindergarten teacher, struggled with his mental health “for many years” as she tried to get him help, according to family members.
Kyle Lombardo, 25, cried and kept his head down during a brief hearing Thursday on charges that he killed his mother, Kathryn, in their Burbank, California, home.
Lombardo was in court for an arraignment, which continued until May 22. He continues to post bail of 2 million dollars.
Deputy Public Defender Jimmy Chu said Lombardo and his mother were involved in a fight Tuesday, which resulted in his accidental death.
“I am well aware that my client’s mother was a beloved member of the community,” Chu told reporters outside a Burbank courtroom. ‘We offer our deepest condolences.
“However, I also understand that at this time this tragedy is the result of an accident, following an altercation between a son and a mother, whom my client loved deeply.”
Karyn Lombardo (center left), 57, was found dead Tuesday in her home in Burbank, California. Her son, Kyle Lombardo (far left), 25, was arrested and charged with her murder.
Deputy Public Defender Jimmy Chu spoke to reporters after Thursday’s hearing. He said Kyle Lombardo and his mother, Karyn, had a fight before she was accidentally killed.
Chu added that he and his office are investigating Lombardo’s mental health and any intellectual developmental disabilities he may have.
Karyn Lombardo, who was born in the English seaside town of Bournemouth, about two hours northeast of London, doted on her 25-year-old son, family members told DailyMail.com.
“Kyle has struggled with his mental health for years and years,” said Karyn’s brother, Kevin, who attended the hearing. “My hope is that this brings attention to mental health issues.”
Chu said no weapons were used in the incident.
Kyle Lombardo, 25, cried and kept his head down during a brief hearing Thursday on charges that he killed his mother, Kathryn, in their Burbank, California, home.
Lombardo’s father, Vince, did not attend the hearing.
Vince Lombardo told local television station KTLA that he was not home the night of the murder and spent the night in Lake Arrowhead, about three hours east of Los Angeles.
He said he spoke to his wife shortly before 10 p.m. that night.
Community members erected a monument in memory of the beloved teacher. Vince Lombardo, Karyn’s husband and Kyle’s father, said his son had a mental condition and that police were called to the family’s home in the past.
Community members, many of them former students of Karyn Lombardo, mourned the death of the beloved teacher
“It’s a reactionary system and that’s basically what I was told,” Vince said of his son’s mental health.
“Until something happens, nothing can be done,” he added. ‘That there is not enough help to help these people, especially when they become adults. She loved him more than anything and tried to help him.
Her brother said Karyn was proud of her British roots.
At his Burbank home, a plaque with the famous British phrase “Keep Calm, Carry On” was prominently displayed in the front window, while his car was decorated with Union Jack accessories.
A bouquet of flowers was left on the entrance steps.
Her husband said all her students loved her.
“Going through the system here, there were students who became teachers because of her,” Vince Lombardo said.
“He’s a magnificent person and I think if you ask anyone, I think he’s too kind and he loves so much.”
