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Tony Lombardi’s family believes he was murdered… police say it was suicide.  Tony Lombardi  A gun was recovered at the scene CASE DETAILS  Bruises were found on his arms The Lombardis were a typical middle class family living in the Columbus, Ohio, suburb of Westerville. But on August 30, 1990, Cheryl Lombardi, a housewife and mother, made a tragic discovery, one that would forever rip the family from the tranquility of suburban life. Cheryl had come home at around midnight. She assumed that her 22-year-old son, Tony, would also be home soon. According to Cheryl, at around 12:45 AM, she heard a door closing and the sound of footsteps. Cheryl went into Tony’s room to say goodnight. It was there that Cheryl discovered the lifeless body of her son. Police arrived shortly after at around 1:15 AM. They discovered Tony’s car was missing from the garage, perhaps stolen by an assailant. According to Sergeant Michael Hatzo, the investigation moved swiftly and by the book:
 Tony had received death threats earlier Inside, on the floor near the body, police found a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol. On the bed was a single, spent .38 shell. Then, investigators found a drunk-driving citation in Tony’s pants pocket, which pushed the inquiry in an entirely new direction. Two days before his death, Tony had been arrested for driving while intoxicated. Detectives quickly solved the mystery of Tony’s missing car. It had been impounded by Columbus police at the time of the arrest. In addition, Tony had faced fines and possible suspension of his driver’s license. To Sergeant Hatzo, a portrait had now emerged of a young man, stripped of his freedom and despondent over impending legal problems:
 Tony’s car was missing But for Cheryl Lombardi, her son’s death was nothing short of cold-blooded murder:
Based on her observations that morning, Cheryl believed that not only was her son murdered, but the killer was still in Tony’s bedroom, even as she moved about the house. Her evidence is disarmingly simple: the light in Tony’s bedroom:
Cheryl assumed Tony’s light was turned off because he wasn’t home. 45 minutes later, she heard the door closing. The light in Tony’s room was now on. Cheryl assumed her son had finally come home:
Who could have turned on the light? Cheryl believed it was the killer who became trapped in Tony’s room when she arrived home:
To Tony’s parents, there was further evidence pointing to murder. In the week before he died, Tony was the target of two different death threats. A woman who lived next door witnessed the driver of a white pick-up truck screaming at Tony. Tony’s father, Tony Lombardi Sr., overheard the second death threat just a few days later:
Tony’s best friend, Andy Royer, agreed to mediate:
Tony’s parents disputed the official conclusions drawn from some of the physical evidence. For Cheryl Lombardi, a test that revealed Tony had recently handled a metal object was problematic:
According to Tony’s father, the position of Tony’s body and the trajectory of the fatal bullet were also subjects of bitter controversy:
Finally, Cheryl says the county coroner found bruises on Tony’s chest, directly under his clenched hands. To Cheryl, that is proof her son was forcibly held down by an assailant. The last minutes of Tony Lombardi’s life remain clouded by controversy. As far as the police are concerned, the 22-year-old took his own life, a conclusion supported by the county coroner, the sheriff’s department, and the district attorney. His parents will never agree with that conclusion. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season six with Robert Stack and in season three with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. |
48 Comments
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Goopo
Another botched investigation by incompetent, corrupt law enforcement
D
Sounds to me like maybe he was dead on arrival meaning someone killed him somewhere else and brought his body home to make it look like they did him in at his house shot a hole in the head board to cover up where they really killed him either way it’s sad no one no matter what has a right to take anyone’s life I’m a victim of rape I don’t wish the rapist death and he got me pregnant if my child lived that’s my child’s father vengeance belongs to JEHOVAH GOD NOT MANKIND
Brian smith
The family needs a second pathologist to do another autopsy. And take it back to the police. I’m sure they have different people that work there now. That detective in the segment seems completely out of his element .
Remz
1. Has anyone spoken to the neighbor about the supposed “road rage incident” and was this the same night as the dui?
2. Has anyone spoken to his best friend.
3. Has anyone spoken to the “girlfriends” boyfriend. I bet that guy has been arrested for some type of violence.
I really hate how the police didn’t handle any evidence as a possible homicide (they say they did) but all evidence points to murder. Did they ever look into the dui, or the officer that gave him the citation. They also checked his hands for metal (which he would be positive for because his job was literally handling tin) but did they check for gun powder?
What was the real time of death?
I can’t believe this terrible police “investigation”. They really dropped the ball on this one.
Matthew Creech
Where was the entry wound to Tony’s head? Second, could someone have caught him in the act with someone else? Why was he naked in bed?
robb
Where not talking about something simple, its a car. He would have to tell his mom. She came in to see if he was okay. They got a long and had no differences. Why would he sill have the citation in his pocket and still not have told her? Was the cop actually on duty that night? Its just so happens that Tony didn’t have rubbers on him, he had a citation from nights before but this was all over a girl. His jaw was broke, its not a breuse were talking about. Its a little more then that.
Rob
There was no drunk driving, there couldn’t of been. He would have to tell his mom the car was gone, he would need a ride from jail. His mom knew nothing of it. Was it reallly his car impounded? It sounds to me that copper got a call that night by someone he knew.
Rob
The door slammed. Why would a guy do that. She was there and wanted him to get caught. Probably forced her
Rob
Look into protocol for drunk driving impound in 1990, then maybe look into the hand writing. Where’s his shirt?
Rob
I think she was there. His arms were crossed that’s a girl thing. A guy would of put the gun in his hand. She was problaby crying on top of him, which would explain the gun shot going up. Insult to injury he probably shot her when she was saying good by
robb
Hi, if a person was in the room and didn’t attack her, its interesting. The idea of a cop leaving evidence out it interesting. He states “any evidence we have leads to a suicide. Was it his son that did the murder? It seems to me that it might be helpful for having the phone records. So you can look at who it was that left the voice mail. It seems that easy and yet not. Can you look at hospital in the area to see if that can tell you if anyone came in with injuries? His hands were beat up, someones face was quite messy. I think that I would look to see if it was the cops daughter that he was dating? In modern society guys usually don’t beat up each other over a women. I think this person might have been older. Could have been two people with the oddness of the bullet.
Charles
If this was a suicide, what is the explanation behind the lacerations and bruises which were clearly from an altercation of some kind? This kid was too well put together from a broad perspective to kill himself. It is certainly possible and alot of young adults are prone to it…but there clues that lead it not to be.
Dean
This was a suicide…period……and the mother was super creepy……i believe she said “our son” around 40 times……she might as well accept this and move on…..if nothing new has developed after nearly 30yrs then it never will……because it’s clearly a suicide
Nik
I’m sorry but I don’t agree with you. I don’t believe it was a suicide she stated his jaw was broke had bruises on his body. If he’s going to just shoot himself he’s not going to have all those bruises on his body and also have a cut above his eye. I think he got into a scuffle with someone. Maybe the person who love the threatening message about leaving his girlfriend alone. And I think he just exacted his revenge whatever revenge in his mind he exacted. and no I don’t think after 30 years they’re going to ever catch who did it. Someone would have to talk or tell somebody and that person would have to tell somebody. Or the person may not even be around anymore. But I don’t think he killed himself.
Angelina
Another case that needs to be reopened. why would someone who committed suicide have a broken jaw, or the other injuries? Something isn’t right…
Cali Girl
Who was the girl he was having relationship with and the Jealous boyfriend that left a voicemail. The jealous boyfriend probably caught them in the act thats why the lights were off. Didnt shot her but killed him in the act. Made the girlfriend watch while he killed her new found lover. That would explain why he was naked. If the police finds the girl they will find the killer!!
Justin Leichtweis
I am sorry for your loss Keith. I hope the find your cousins killer. From my pov he was definitely murdered. I can’t believe the police found this to be a suicide. I wouldn’t want to live in a place where the police are so dense. Good luck
Keith burton
Thank you so much Justin was like that’s my talking cat when I was a close
Amanda
I’m sorry for your loss. The same thing has happened to my little brother last October. It was called in as a suicide but yet just 3 minutes before my brother was texting people saying he was going to die where he was and his life depended on leaving there. 3 minutes later 911 was called by my brothers wife’s boyfriend stating he killed hisself. It was ruled a suicide. We now have a private investigator who has reopened the case. The detectives botched the investigation from day one. Never treated it as anything other then a suicide even with us telling them it wasn’t. My brother was right handed and shot in the left cheek with a shot gun front to back left to right at a downward angle with a shotgun. I pray you get justice and closure. There is nothing worse then having a loved one murdered and a piece of paper saying they took their own life with their murderer still out there. We have a Facebook page for my brother under Justice for Dj. If you haven’t made one yourself then you should to help get the word out on this information and hopefully can help get you some leads. I will be sharing this on Facebook. Prayers to you all.
Rush
It is kinda of weird that your fists would clench and rest on your chest after you supposedly just killed yourself. That is just weird.
Bob
How come his Mom didn’t hear a gunshot coming from his room? Unless it was muffled by a pillow.
Justin Leichtweis
he was killed before she got home.
Nik
I think the reason is mother didn’t hear a gunshot because I think when she got home I think at that point he was already dead. And the killer was kind of stuck upstairs and Tony’s room because he didn’t want to go down and take a chance on having Tony’s mom see him. So he had to wait wait it out until she went to bed. Once he thought the coast was clear I think he left his room and left the house.
Anonymous
Somebody has their theory, speculation,and circumstances of evidence of a “suicide” incorrect. This man was murdered ! Mrs. Lombardi came home from a late night our. She as she stated before hand said she was waiting for “Tony” to come home. Tony, was already home ! It’s possible that he had some company (visitors) over. Mrs. Lomardi, decided to do some laundry, she was as she stated waiting for him to come home, in her pajamas (night clothes). Coming back and forth through the home. His bedroom light was off. That’s because, the perp saw her coming home and they turned off his bedroom light. Their in her home, she’s unaware of who maybe be hiding in her home ! ( she didn’t hear a gunshot) that’s because they had already murdered him. And when she heard the door open ( that’s when the killer was creeping out of her home !) This case is a homicide ! Somebody’s got it wrong !
Anonymous
To the last comment, who are the Tantarelli’s? How do you know them and how did you know Tony? Also I believe he was left handed…
diane
For some odd reason peolpe who commit suicide remove their clothes first. Many movie stars were found in the nude who took their own life and my own son was found like that.E
keith burton
Tony is my cousin if you have any info please call 6143145110
Sheila Byus-Francis
Hello Keith my heart goes out to you! My Dad Larry Byus worked with/for Tony Sr.
My Dad knew his wife and son well.
I’m sorry the police are so lackadaisical in their efforts to the point they call it a suicide.
He didn’t cut himself. He wouldn’t have been able to clench his fists after committing suicide.
We never believed it was suicide and I believe you should present your concerns to the police again and see if a detective or a lawyer will intervene for you.
I’ll be praying God shows the way and they find the proof and closure you and your family need and deserve.
God bless you!
Sheila Byus-Francis I’m on fb and messenger if you’d like to chat.
Jessie
Was there gunshot residue on Tonys hands?
keith burton
any info please call me tony is my cousin 6143145110
josh
They really need to reinvestage this case there is no way a suicide would beable to have their arms crossed after shooting themselves in the head plus all of the injuries it doesn’t add up. That’s ohio cops for you lazy don’t want to put in the work just want to collect a check and that’s it
LUIS FREEH
WHERE EVER HE WAS THAT DAY HE CAME HOME AND WENT TO SLEEP! HE HAD HIS ID STOLEN AND SOMEONE ELSE DRIVING HIS CAR GOT IT IMPOUNDED! HE WAS AT WORK WHEN IT HAPPENED. “I”DON’T KNOW WHY HE NEVER REPORTED IT MISSING! THE THEIF WENT TO A BAR WITH IT! THE THEIF WORKS WHERE HE WORKED AND THE THEIF KNEW WHERE HE LIVED! THE THEIF OF HIS CAR FROM WORK WENT TO HIS HOME AND FOUND HIM ASLEEP, PUT THE DUI TICKET IN HIS POCKET, SHOT HIM AND WAS GOING TO KILL “WHOEVER CAME IN THE HOME. WHILE WAITING FOR THEM TO ENTER TONY’S ROOM “IT” DECIDED TO GET OUT INCASE THE POLICE WERE CALLED FOR SOME REASON. FOR SOME REASON IT EXPECTED HIS MOTHER TO COME IN HIS ROOM AND SHE WAS “VERY LUCKY” THAT NIGHT!
Keith burton
Where did you get all this information on Tony I would like to sit down and talk with you my name is Keith I’m his cousin 614-314-5110
Kai
Hey Keith, I live in Westerville which is why I checked the site here to see if any additional information was ever figured out and I saw your posts. I just thought you should probably know that the user tagged as Louis Freeh responds to pretty much every case on this website spamming in all caps. He doesn’t know anything special about this case. Didn’t want you to waste your hopes or your time on his “leads”
Keith burton
And Tony’s cousin I’d like to know how you have all the information sounds like you know who this person was and you And you apparently knew my cousinmy Will you please contact me 614-353-8550 I would like to talk to you and find out any information you may have
Keith burton
i’m his cousin I’d like to talk to you
Kai
I know you’re still hurting. I just wanted to reiterate that Luis Freh posts lengthy, all-capitalized conspiracy theories on nearly every case on the unsolved mysteries website. He has no unique information on this case more than any other case. I doubt he even comes back to check and see how people respond to his ramblings, but I just thought you should know that he doesn’t have any special knowledge related to this case, so I don’t want you to go through the pain of dredging up those memories with a conspiracy theorist.
Kai
if you need proof, just google: “Luis Freeh” Unsolved mysteries
he replies to everything
From Ohio
They need to question the tantarellis. At the time of his death he was hanging out with them and they are known for breaking the law and at least one of them have been jailed for murder. I wouldn’t put anything past them.
Keith burton
You brought up the tantarellis I IKnow of them had no iidea my cousin knew them would you please contact me 6143145110
PG
I’m inclined to believe that this case is murder due to the information presented on the episode. The body was clearly arranged, the bullet and casing were lying in areas that are not consistent with suicide, and unless the deceased was a lefty, the gun was found too far away to be accurate for suicide. Plus, the bruises on the chest indicate the deceased was held down (I’m inclined to think the murderer used their knees),and the dislocated jaw suggests that it was broken to prevent him crying for help. The actions of the police in this case indicate that it’s possible the killer could have been trained in staging a crime scene. The death threats could have been signs of the killer coming unhinged before carrying it out.
Johnny
This looks like a murder to me. Probably a 2 man job. One to keep Tony down on the bed and another man to shoot. The threats Tony received should have been investigated with more fervor. Classic case where suicide was decided and that was going to be it. These wounds like the broken jaw and marks don’t fit suicide. I think this case can be solved.
Anonymous
This young man had bruises and a broken jaw. Yea its foul play. Two red flags..the guy yelling at him in the white van and the threatening voice mail message. Those are things to look into. Who is this girlfriend someone warned Tony to stay a way from? They are so hell bent on trying to prove suicide. That the evidence was looked over. Maybe there where clues that proved someone was in Tony’s room. His friend talked to the guy that threatened Tony about his girlfriend. Why didn’t the cops explore every lead?Ask around. Talk to the neighbors about the van and of they got a license plate number or talk to the guy that warned tony to stay away from his girlfriend. Too many thing indicate something is rotten about this.
Dkk
Are the photos posted actual crime photos? If yes, how is it you fire a weapon even if he used his left hand and the gun is on the floor, the recoil from the weapon would not force his arms and hands into the positions shown.
unsolved
The photos are taken from the recreations from the show.
Savannah
I think Tony Lombardi was murdered because you can not have bruises if you commit suicide. I think the person who killed him was the person who said that he had a gun because there was a gun on the crime scene.
Rebecca
Were the two death threats investigated? The guy in the white truck that was screaming at Tony did they bring him in for questioning.Tony’s mother believed the killer or killers was in Tony’s room when she got home. She stated his bedroom light was off, then turned on after a short time, did the police look for any fingerprints in Tony’s bedroom or any blood or tissue under his finger nails in case there was a struggle? He was so young only 22 he had his whole life ahead of him. It’s ashamed this case was not properly investigated, the police based it on his arrest for driving while intoxicated, a citation in his pocket, his impounded vehicle, equal he committed suicide really ??? it was an open and shut case, the sheriff department took the easy way out by claiming Tony committed suicide. So sad for these parents, such injustice, no closure for this family.
Joshua S
Who was the man who made the death threats? Was he ever investigated?