Katherine "Kady" Lobono, a 23-year-old woman from Fairfield, OH, was tragically found dead in her apartment on October 2, 2019. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and other injuries, including ligature marks on her neck. Friends who were dog-sitting discovered her body on the floor of her apartment.
Kirby Cheong, a 30-year-old man from Miamisburg, was arrested in March 2020 and charged with murder in Katherine's death.
He initially faced charges of murder and two counts of felonious assault. However, in June 2021, Cheong pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter with a gun specification and tampering with evidence. In July 2021, he was sentenced to 14 to 19 1/2 years for involuntary manslaughter and an additional three years for tampering with evidence. Cheong will be eligible for parole after 17 years and could serve a maximum of 22 1/2 years. He was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to Katherine's family.
The Butler County Prosecutor's Office noted that some of the evidence was contaminated due to the presence of too many people at the crime scene before the police investigation began. Despite this, the police investigation was deemed excellent, and Katherine's family was consulted before the plea deal was offered. Prosecutor Michael Gmoser expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that Cheong admitted guilt in Katherine's death.
Katherine was remembered fondly by those who knew her. She was described as "super bubbly" and someone who "lit up the salon every single day" at her job at Sports Clips in Harrison. Her family said she had a zest for life and knew no strangers. Katherine grew up in Cincinnati's west side and attended the all-girls Catholic high school Seton before graduating from Purcell Marian, a co-ed Catholic high school.
The case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the pursuit of justice, even when faced with challenges such as contaminated evidence. Katherine's memory lives on through the love and respect of those who knew her.
