Leesville man arrested for second degree murder

Published 1:25 pm Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office announces the February 16th, 2021 arrest of Robert Lombardo, age 46, of Leesville.

On February 15th, at approximately 6:29 p.m., the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office received a request for a welfare check at a residence in Jeane Chapel Trailer Park in Leesville.

The caller indicated that she had a concern for the well-being of family members at the residence.

Deputies arrived at the location and encountered an unsecured door at the residence.

Deputies then located two deceased persons at the residence, which they immediately recognized, to be a crime scene. Deputies secured the scene and contacted Detectives with the VPSO Criminal Division.

Detectives arrived at the residence and were able to identify the decedents as Joseph Lombardo, age 83, and Rita Lombardo, age 60, both of Leesville.

Further investigation revealed that their son, Robert Lombardo, had in fact contacted the family member (caller) and stated that he had beaten his parents to death.

Law enforcement then confirmed that the victim's vehicle was missing from the residence.

Detectives and Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force were able to locate the victim's vehicle at a residence in the Evans Community.

Information obtained from witnesses at the location led Detectives and Agents to a second residence on Highway 111 South in Evans.

Upon arrival Lombardo was located in a camper trailer and taken into custody without incident.

During an interview with Detectives Lombardo stated that he and the victims had been in a domestic disturbance prior to him committing the murders.

Lombardo indicated that the murders took place 2-3 days prior to his apprehension.

Lombardo was booked into the VPSO jail on two counts of Second Degree Murder. Bond has not been set and Lombardo remains in the VPSO jail.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing.

This article originally appeared on Leesville Daily Leader: Leesville man arrested for second degree murder