Son of beloved kindergarten school teacher weeps in court as he’s charged with murdering his mom after ‘fight’ at their California home – but claims death was an accident

The son who allegedly killed his mother — a beloved California preschool teacher — struggled with his mental health for “years” as she tried to get him help, family members said.

Kyle Lombardo, 25, cried and mostly kept his head down during a brief hearing Thursday on charges that he killed his mother, Kathryn, in their Burbank, California, home.

Lombardo was scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment, which was continued until May 22. He is still owed $2 million bail.

Deputy Public Defender Jimmy Chu said Lombardo and his mother were involved in a fight on Tuesday, which resulted in her accidental death.

“I am very aware that my client’s mother was a beloved member of the community,” Chu told reporters outside a courthouse in Burbank. ‘We offer our deepest condolences.

“However, I also understand that this tragedy at this time is the result of an accident, following an altercation between a son and a mother, whom my client loved dearly.”

Deputy Public Defender Jimmy Chu spoke to reporters after Thursday’s hearing. He said Kyle Lombardo and his mother, Karyn, had been arguing before she was accidentally killed

Chu added that he and his office are investigating Lombardo’s mental health and intellectual development disorders.

Karyn Lombardo, born in the English seaside town of Bournemouth – about two hours northeast of London – was in love with her 25-year-old son, relatives told DailyMail.com.

“Kyle has struggled with his mental health for years,” said Karyn’s brother, Kevin, who attended the hearing. ‘I hope this draws attention to the issues of mental health.’

Chu said no weapons were used in the incident.

Kyle Lombardo, 25, mostly 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 TV station KTLA that he was away from 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 just before 10 p.m. that evening.

Community members erected a memorial for the beloved teacher. Vince Lombardo, Karyn’s husband and Kyle’s father, said their son had a mental illness and that police had been called to the family’s home in the past

Community members, many 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, you can’t do anything,” he added. ‘That there isn’t enough help to help these people, especially as they grow into adulthood. She loved him more than anything and tried to help him.”

Her brother said Karyn was proud of her British roots.

At their home in Burbank, a plaque with the famous British phrase “Keep Calm, Carry On” was prominently displayed on the windshield, while her car was decorated with Union Jack accessories.

A bouquet of flowers was left near the front stairs.

Her husband said all her students loved her.

“When I came here through the system, there were students who became teachers because of her,” Vince Lombardo said.

“She’s a wonderful person and I think if you ask anyone, I think she’s too nice and she’s fond to a fault.”