The Burbank, California community mourns the loss of Karyn Lombardo, a beloved kindergarten teacher at Bret Harte Elementary School, who was found dead in her home on Tuesday night, May 7, 2024. Her 25-year-old son, Kyle Lombardo, has been arrested and charged with her murder after an alleged altercation between the two.
Officers and paramedics arrived at Karyn Lombardo’s residence on the 800 block of North Avon Street at 10 p.m. after receiving a call about an unconscious female. Despite lifesaving efforts, the 57-year-old teacher was pronounced dead at the scene.
Burbank police confirmed Kyle Lombardo was arrested on suspicion of murder based on evidence found at the scene. He is being held at the Burbank City jail on $2 million bail and is expected to appear in court later in the week.
Karyn Lombardo dedicated over 30 years to teaching in the Burbank Unified School District. She started her career as a bilingual teacher at Joaquin Miller Elementary School in 1990 before transferring to Bret Harte Elementary in 1993. At Bret Harte, she taught kindergarten, intervention, and performing arts chorus. Her impact on the community was profound, with many former students, parents, and colleagues mourning her sudden death.
In a sincere message to families and staff, Burbank Unified School District Superintendent John Paramo recognized the significant void left by Karyn Lombardo’s death. He stated, “Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Lombardo positively influenced the lives of countless students, parents, and colleagues, who will deeply mourn her loss in the days ahead. Her warmth, dedication, and passion for teaching left a lasting impression on many. The community of Burbank will profoundly feel the impact of her passing.”
Kyle Lombardo’s father and Karyn’s husband, Vince Lombardo, was away in Lake Arrowhead at the time of the incident. In media interviews, he revealed that their son had a mental health condition and that police had previously been called to their home. “She loved him more than anything and did her best to help him,” Vince said. “All her students adored her. Some even became teachers because of her.”
The tragedy has brought attention to the lack of mental health resources for adults like Kyle, as Vince lamented, “Until something happens, you can’t do anything. There’s insufficient help to help these people, especially when they become adults.”
The school district has arranged for psychologists and social service workers to be available at Bret Harte Elementary in the coming days to support grieving students and staff.
A growing memorial outside Bret Harte Elementary School signifies the outpouring of grief and support from the community, with flowers, cards, and heartfelt messages left in honor of Karyn Lombardo.
Karyn and Vince Lombardo were married for 31 years and have two adult children
