A woman suspected of killing two of her children in the US before leaving the country has been arrested in the UK and has appeared in court in London to face extradition proceedings.
Kimberlee Singler’s nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son were found dead at their home in Colorado Springs on 19 December when police responded to a report of a burglary. Police later said the report turned out to be unfounded.
Singler, 35, initially cooperated with police but disappeared during the investigation, said Ira Cronin, a spokesperson for the Colorado Springs police department.
US police obtained an arrest warrant last Tuesday on charges of murder and attempted murder, among other allegations.
Singler was not under surveillance and was last seen in Colorado Springs on 23 December, Cronin said.
US authorities did not provide further details on the overseas arrest, but said they were working with several law enforcement agencies.
Singler appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Monday.
The UK’s National Crime Agency confirmed on Monday it had arrested Singler.
A spokesperson for the NCA said: “On Saturday 30 December 2023 in the Kensington area of London, officers from the National Crime Agency’s national extradition unit arrested a 35-year-old female wanted in the United States of America for offences including two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
“She will appear before Westminster magistrates court today [1 January] for commencement of extradition proceedings.”
A spokesperson for Colorado Springs police department said: “Kimberlee Singler was taken into custody in the United Kingdom without incident.
“Detectives with the Colorado Springs police department’s homicide unit continue to work closely with multiple law enforcement agencies in pursuing the ongoing investigation.”
When police attended Singler’s home in Colorado they found her with minor injuries, the two children’s bodies and her 11-year-old daughter hurt. Singler was initially treated as a burglary victim, Cronin said.
The injured girl was admitted to hospital for a few days before being released and was recovering in Colorado Springs.
Singler and her former husband, Kevin Wentz, were in a legal dispute over parenting time and other issues, according to US court filings. Reports have said Singler faced losing custody of her children imminently.
On Sunday, Wentz put out photos of his two children who died and their names, Elianna “Elie” and Aden Wentz.
