Romeoville, IL — In a tragic event that sent shockwaves through the quiet community of Romeoville, Illinois, the lives of a local family, their colleagues, and law enforcement agents intertwined in a deadly series of events that culminated in a violent confrontation in Oklahoma. The saga that commenced with a mysterious disappearance on September 17, 2023, unfolded over months of investigation, revealing a tale of deceit, manipulation, and murder.
The ordeal began when police were summoned to conduct a wellness check at the residence of Zoraida Bartolomei and Alberto Rolon after Rolon failed to appear at work and relatives were unable to contact the couple or their two young sons. Upon arrival, officers noted signs of disturbance at the home, including a cracked window and disarray inside. Their worst fears were confirmed when they discovered the bodies of Bartolomei, Rolon, their children, and two of their dogs—all fatally shot.
In the immediate aftermath, the community grappled with unanswered questions and rampant speculation about the motives behind the killings. The investigation took a significant turn when Romeoville police, utilizing technological data from various sources including doorbell cameras, highway toll records, and cellular towers, traced a vehicle from Streamwood to Romeoville. The vehicle was registered to Nathaniel Huey Jr., a coworker of Bartolomei.
Subsequent inquiries led detectives to the home Huey Jr. shared with Ermalinda Palomo. Despite initial attempts to question the couple, both Huey Jr. and Palomo soon fled, prompting Palomo’s family to file a missing person report under the assumption she was abducted and in danger.
The case took a dramatic twist when surveillance footage from a Walmart in Catoosa, Oklahoma, depicted Huey Jr. and Palomo shopping together, seemingly without duress. The footage captured shortly before their encounter with law enforcement in the parking lot, where they appeared calm and collected. A police chase ensued after they left the store, ending in a tragic car accident on an Oklahoma interstate where Huey Jr. fatally shot Palomo and then himself.
Investigators pieced together a disturbing backstory in the following months. The police report disclosed that Palomo had been aware of an extramarital affair between her partner and Bartolomei for over a year. In an elaborate scheme driven by jealousy and revenge, Palomo reportedly created fictitious online accounts, posing as members of a cartel, to manipulate Huey Jr. into believing he was under the directive of organized criminals. The deceptive narrative coerced him into committing the murders, all while Palomo waited in the car.
This intricate web of deceit not only led to the unnecessary loss of life but also left multiple families and a community in mourning. Romeoville Police Chief Brant Hromadka expressed the profound impact of the incident on all involved, emphasizing that the conclusion of the investigation does not mark the end of the bereavement process for those affected. He remarked on the enduring pain and the indelible marks left on the community by such senseless violence.
While police have closed the case, the emotional reverberations continue to ripple through Romeoville and beyond, as families seek solace and answers in the aftermath of a tragedy that highlights the devastating real-world consequences of virtual manipulations.