The Romeoville Massacre: Catfishing Scheme Leads to Family of Four's Tragic Murder
In September 2023, a routine welfare check in Romeoville, Illinois transformed into a harrowing murder investigation that would reveal layers of deception and betrayal. Police officers arrived at the quiet home of Alberto and Zarah Balom after concerned friends reported not hearing from the family for several days. What they discovered was devastating: the couple, their two young sons, and even the family dogs had been killed in what initially appeared to be a robbery gone wrong.
The investigation took a critical turn when detectives analyzed phone records from the victims. These digital breadcrumbs led authorities to Hermalinda Palomo and her fiancé Nathaniel Huey Jr., residents of nearby Streamwood. During questioning, Hermalinda revealed she had been with Nathaniel since 2015, enduring his pattern of infidelity throughout their relationship. Though she believed his affairs had ended years earlier, police questioning suggested a darker reality—that Nathaniel's romantic entanglements may have escalated into something far more sinister, connecting him directly to the murdered family.
Key Takeaways
A family of four and their pets were discovered deceased during a welfare check in Romeoville, creating an alarming crime scene.
What appeared initially as a possible robbery revealed complex interpersonal connections through digital evidence recovered from the victims' phones.
The investigation uncovered a history of infidelity that potentially established a motive linking suspects to the murder victims.
Inquiry Details
This section covers key elements of the investigation, focusing on how detectives approached a person of interest and gathered critical information related to a homicide case.
Detective's Conversation with Suspect's Partner
Detective Garcia and Detective Wagner initiated contact with Herlinda Palomo at her residence in Streamwood, Illinois on September 18, 2023. The detectives identified themselves as members of the Romeoville Police Department and established rapport before explaining the reason for their visit. Herlinda appeared nervous during this initial interaction. When questioned about her relationship, she confirmed she had been with her fiancé, Nathaniel Huey Jr., since 2015. The detectives noted her demeanor and proceeded carefully with their questioning.
Digital Evidence Analysis
The investigators informed Herlinda they were conducting what they termed a "phone dump" as part of a murder investigation. Detective Garcia explained that this process allows them to retrieve messages from various messaging applications, including those from platforms like TextNow. The detectives indicated they had already recovered messages showing someone expressing strong negative emotions toward the victim. They specifically asked Herlinda if any of these messages could be connected to her, her name, her phone, or anything associated with her. This technical procedure formed a critical component of their investigation into the September 17 homicides.
Private Interview Request
The detectives requested to speak with Herlinda without her fiancé present, to which she agreed. They initially suggested moving to another location near the residence but ultimately decided to drive to a nearby park for privacy. During this private conversation, Herlinda displayed signs of distress, including crying. She revealed she had just learned about her fiancé's alleged affair from the detectives themselves. When questioned about previous infidelities, she disclosed knowledge of affairs from 2015-2017, and possibly another incident in 2019. Herlinda expressed disappointment, stating she had believed these behaviors had stopped, highlighting the complex relationship dynamics that may be relevant to the investigation.
Personal Background
Herlinda Palomo's life circumstances reveal significant connections to events unfolding in September 2023. Her residential status and personal relationship became relevant during a police investigation that occurred on September 18, 2023. Detectives from the Romeoville Police Department interviewed her concerning matters related to her partner.
Herlinda's Connection with Nathaniel
Herlinda and Nathaniel Huey Jr. began their relationship in approximately 2015. Their eight-year relationship has been marked by periods of infidelity on Nathaniel's part. When interviewed by detectives, Herlinda revealed she had knowledge of Nathaniel's affairs when they first started dating between 2015 and 2017. Nathaniel reportedly promised to end his unfaithful behavior following the birth of his son.
Another incident occurred around 2019 during a party at Herlinda's residence, where Nathaniel claimed someone kissed him while Herlinda was asleep. Despite his repeated assurances of faithfulness, Herlinda expressed doubt about the truthfulness of these promises during her police interview. She acknowledged her inability to fully trust him given his history.
Home in Streamwood, Illinois
Herlinda resided in Streamwood, Illinois with her fiancé Nathaniel Huey Jr. Their living arrangement became a focal point during the September 2023 investigation. When police initially approached her at her residence, Herlinda appeared uncomfortable speaking with officers while Nathaniel was present.
The detectives offered alternative locations for their discussion, eventually settling on talking near a local park. This change of venue specifically occurred at Sunny D and Sur Drive S Park in Streamwood. The investigators showed concern for Herlinda's comfort and safety during their conversation, suggesting tension in her home environment.
Murder Investigation Details
Event Timing
The tragic incident occurred on September 17, 2023, when Romeoville Police responded to a welfare check at a residence. The family hadn't been heard from for several days, raising concerns from friends or relatives who requested the check. Officers arrived at the property during the evening hours, approximately 9:00 PM on a Sunday.
Police Discovery
Officers approached the residence cautiously, first observing through windows that a television was knocked over along with a coffee table in the front room. After further inspection, they discovered two deceased dogs inside the home. This alarming finding prompted officers to call for additional units before making entry to the residence. The team coordinated their approach, with some officers retrieving equipment including a shield and rifle before forcing entry through the back door of the home.
Crime Scene
Upon entering the residence, officers found a disturbing scene. The home showed signs of disturbance with furniture overturned in the living area. The family's two dogs were deceased inside the home. As officers continued their search, they discovered all family members deceased - Zarah Balom, her husband Alberto, and their two young sons.
Initially, the scene appeared consistent with a possible robbery gone wrong based on the disarray of furniture and other items. However, further investigation of cell phone records revealed a more complex situation potentially involving personal relationships. Investigators conducted a "phone dump" to recover text messages and communications, which led them to interview individuals connected to the case, including Hermalinda Palomo of Streamwood, Illinois.
Nathaniel's Unfaithful Behavior
Nathaniel's relationship with Herlinda began in 2015, but their partnership has been marked by repeated instances of infidelity. Despite promises to remain faithful, Nathaniel's pattern of extramarital affairs created significant strain in their relationship. These breaches of trust occurred multiple times throughout their years together.
Herlinda's Knowledge of the Relationships
Herlinda was aware of some of Nathaniel's past infidelities but believed they had stopped. During police questioning, she expressed shock upon learning about a current affair. When detectives informed her that Nathaniel was involved with someone whose husband had discovered the relationship, Herlinda appeared genuinely surprised.
"I didn't know that," she told detectives, appearing visibly upset by this revelation.
Her reaction suggested she had been under the impression that Nathaniel's unfaithful behavior had ended years earlier. Detectives noted her emotional response during questioning, as she struggled with this new information about her fiancé.
Previous Incidents of Unfaithfulness
Herlinda acknowledged to investigators that Nathaniel had engaged in multiple affairs early in their relationship. These incidents occurred primarily between:
2015-2017: The initial period when his unfaithful behavior was known to her
Around 2019: An incident at a party where Nathaniel claimed someone kissed him
After the birth of his son, Nathaniel had promised Herlinda, "I'm not having any more affairs. I'm not cheating on you." Despite wanting to believe him, Herlinda admitted to detectives that she couldn't truly trust him based on his history.
When asked if she knew the names of the women Nathaniel had been involved with, Herlinda stated she didn't know specific names. She mentioned hearing from others that "he was probably with a lot of people," though Nathaniel had recently claimed this wasn't true.
Tense Encounter with Law Enforcement
Call to Partner During Police Arrival
Herlinda Palomo was at her Streamwood, Illinois home when police officers arrived to speak with her. Detective Garcia and Detective Wagner introduced themselves as members of the Romeoville Police Department. When they arrived, Herlinda was on the phone with Nathaniel Huey Jr., her fiancé since 2015. The detectives explained they were investigating a murder case and had retrieved messages from phones in their possession.
The officers requested to speak with Herlinda alone, away from Nathaniel. She agreed to this arrangement, though she appeared visibly uncomfortable. The detectives suggested moving to their vehicle for privacy, eventually deciding to drive to a nearby park for their conversation.
Distress and Anxiety During Questioning
Once away from the residence, Herlinda became emotional during the interview. She struggled to maintain composure, telling the officers, "I'm going to cry." The detectives reassured her that expressing emotion was acceptable given the circumstances.
When questioned about her relationship with Nathaniel, Herlinda revealed:
They had been together since approximately 2015
She learned about his infidelity that very day
She had previously discovered affairs between 2015-2017
Herlinda explained that Nathaniel had promised to stop having affairs after his son was born. She mentioned another possible incident in 2019 during a party at her house, where Nathaniel claimed someone had kissed him while she was asleep.
Timeline of Revelations:
Year Event 2015-2017 First known affairs 2017 Promise to end infidelity after son's birth 2019 Possible incident at house party September 2023 Current investigation revealing new affair
Herlinda appeared genuinely shocked by the new information about Nathaniel's relationship with another woman. When asked directly if she trusted him, she admitted, "I obviously can't trust him," though she had been hoping his pattern of infidelity had ended.
Crime Investigation and Aftermath
Police Welfare Check
On September 17, 2023, Romeoville Police responded to a residence after receiving reports that a family hadn't been heard from for several days. Officers arrived at the scene and immediately noticed concerning signs through the windows, including an overturned television and coffee table in the front room. The officers conducted an initial perimeter check, carefully examining windows and doors while maintaining vigilance around the property.
Search Protocol Implementation
Officers established a methodical entry plan after observing disturbing signs from outside the residence. They coordinated positions, with some officers maintaining perimeter security while others prepared for tactical entry. After deliberation, they determined a forced entry through the back door was necessary given the concerning circumstances. The team organized a careful stack formation for the search, designating specific roles to ensure officer safety during the unknown situation they faced.
Signs of Violence Discovered
Upon initial inspection, officers documented multiple indicators of disturbance throughout the home. Their flashlights revealed knocked-over furniture in the living area, suggesting a possible struggle or altercation. In a particularly disturbing discovery, officers found two deceased family dogs within the residence. These findings prompted immediate calls for additional units to the scene as they proceeded with the search, recognizing the gravity of what they might find.
Victim Identification
The search culminated in a tragic discovery - the bodies of four family members. The victims were later identified as Zoraida Balom, her husband Alberto, and their two young sons. Initial crime scene evidence suggested the possibility of a robbery gone wrong, but investigators soon uncovered a more complex situation. During their investigation, police obtained and analyzed phone data from the victims, revealing text messages that suggested relationship conflicts and possible motives beyond robbery.
Persons of Interest and Their Potential Motivations
The investigation into the Romeoville family murders has revealed several significant leads regarding possible suspects and their motives. Detectives have uncovered evidence pointing to relationship complications that may have precipitated the tragic events.
Message Evidence Analysis
Text communications retrieved through phone data extraction have become crucial evidence in this case. Investigators conducted what they referred to as a "phone dump," which allowed them to recover messages from various text applications. These recovered messages revealed someone had expressed significant anger toward one of the victims. The technology used enabled police to retrieve communications even from third-party messaging platforms that suspects might have believed were more private or secure.
The recovered messages appear to establish potential connections between the victims and individuals who may have had grievances against them. This digital evidence has provided investigators with critical timeline information and possible motives.
Exploration of Relationship Complications
Investigations uncovered indications of romantic entanglements that may have contributed to the crime. During police interviews, it was revealed that one subject was apparently unaware of certain relationship dynamics until being informed by investigators. This revelation appeared to cause significant emotional distress.
The relationship complications potentially involve multiple parties, creating a complex web of interpersonal connections that investigators must untangle. When confronted with information about these relationships, the interviewee appeared genuinely surprised and distressed, suggesting they may not have had complete knowledge of all relevant parties' activities.
Multiple Romantic Entanglements History
Evidence suggests a pattern of infidelity dating back several years, possibly as far as 2015. According to statements made during interviews, there were:
Initial incidents between 2015-2017
A commitment to end extramarital activities after 2017
A possible incident at a social gathering in 2019
Potential ongoing activities despite promises to the contrary
When discussing these matters with investigators, the interviewee expressed uncertainty about whether the extramarital activities had truly ended as promised. They indicated a diminished level of trust based on past experiences, stating, "I obviously can't trust him." The interviewee also mentioned hearing secondhand accounts suggesting numerous additional relationships beyond those they were personally aware of.
The interviewee's emotional responses during questioning—including apparent fear, crying, and reluctance to speak in certain environments—suggested genuine distress about the situation.
