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6 months ago
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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, wept and mostly held his head down during a brief hearing Thursday on charges that he killed his mother, Kathryn, at their Burbank, Calif. home.
Lombardo was in court on for an arraignment, which was continued to May 22. He remains on a $2 million bail.
Deputy Public Defender Jimmy Chu said Lombardo and his mother were embroiled in a fight on Tuesday, which resulted in her accidental death.
'I'm very aware that my client's mother was a beloved member of the community,' said Chu to reporters outside of a Burbank courthouse. 'We offer our deepest condolences.
'However, it is also my understanding that at this time this tragedy is a result of an accident, following an altercation between a son and a mother, whom my client deeply loved.'
Karyn Lombardo (left middle), 57, was found dead on 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 he and his office are investigating Lombardo's mental health and intellectual developmental disabilities he may have.
Karyn Lombardo, who was born in the English seaside town of Bournemouth - about two hours south west 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 this draws attention to the problems of mental health.'
Chu said no weapons were used in the incident.
Kyle Lombardo, 25, wept and mostly held his head down during a brief hearing Thursday on charges that he killed his mother, Kathryn, at their Burbank, Calif. home
Lombardo's father, Vince, did not attend the hearing.
Vince Lombardo told local TV station KTLA that he was not home the night of the murder and stayed overnight in Lake Arrowhead, about three hours east of Los Angeles.
He said he spoke to his wife just before 10pm that night.
Community members erected a memorial for the beloved teacher. Vince Lombardo, Karyn's husband and Kyle's father, said their son had a mental condition and that police were called to the family's home in the past
Community members, many former students of Karyn Lombardo, mourned the beloved teacher's death
'It’s a reactionary system and that’s basically what I was told,' Vince said about his son's mental health.
'Until something happens, you can’t do anything,' he added. 'That 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.'
Her brother said Karyn was proud of her British roots.
At their Burbank home, a plaque was prominently displayed on their front window of the famous British phrase, 'Keep Calm, Carry On', while her car was decorated with Union Jack accessories.
A bouquet of flowers were left at the front steps.
Her husband said she was loved by all of her students.
'Coming through the system here, there were students who became teachers because of her,' Vince Lombardo said.
'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.'
English (US)