Authorities say a Clearfield man is behind bars, accused of strangling his mother to death in order to claim her life insurance policy and access her bank account.
According to the affidavit, police were dispatched on the morning of March 15 to a residence along East Locust Street, in Clearfield Borough, for a reported cardiac incident.
Police say the victim, 69-year-old Paula Lombardo, was reportedly found on her bed “ice cold and stiff as a board.”
Investigators say an autopsy determined that Lombardo died from asphyxiation and her death was ruled a homicide.
Upon further investigation, police say they spoke with several witnesses who were at the home at the time of her death, including her son, 43-year-old David Lombardo.
Police say both the officers and some of the witnesses noted that the placement of where the victim’s body was found on the bed was “suspicious,” as she had reportedly suffered from Parkinson’s, and had a “deep brain stimulator” implanted inside her head, and thus suffered with mobility issues.
Authorities say that when they questioned her son, David Lombardo, he reportedly claimed that he checked on his mother, who was allegedly seated in a rocking chair, prior to her being found “not breathing” by a home healthcare nurse.
Police noted that Lombardo reportedly “showed no emotion” about the death of his mother and began asking officers when he would receive her death certificate so he could collect her life insurance policy and have access to her bank account.
Investigators add that Lombardo also reportedly admitted to trying to move his mother’s body after she was found.
Police allege that Lombardo strangled his mother in her room and then repositioned her body.
According to online court records, Lombardo was arraigned Monday morning on a variety of charges, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, strangulation, evidence tampering and abuse of a corpse.
He is being held at the Clearfield County Jail and his bail was denied.
