Kimberlee Singler: Colorado mom accused of killing her two children over custody dispute arrested after 2-week manhunt
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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO: Kimberlee Singler, 35, accused of committing a double homicide of her young children amid a lengthy and bitter custody dispute, has been arrested thousands of miles away in the United Kingdom, CBS Colorado reports.
Singler, wanted on charges of murder, attempted murder, and child abuse, was taken into custody without incident on Saturday, December 30, almost two weeks after the tragic incident.
Why did Kimberlee Singler kill her children?
Singler's ex-husband, Kevin Wentz, identified the victims as 9-year-old Elianna and 7-year-old Aden. The arrest follows a tumultuous custody battle between Singler and Wentz, with the mother allegedly just days away from losing custody of the children.
The horrifying incident came to light when police responded to a 911 report of a burglary at an apartment complex in Colorado Springs on December 19.
Tragically, they discovered Singler and her surviving 11-year-old daughter next to the lifeless bodies of the other children.
Wentz attributes the incident to the ongoing divorce and custody battle, dating back to September 2018.
He claims his ex-wife made unfounded allegations of domestic violence and child abuse, which a Larimer County court found unsubstantiated.
Following the incident, Singler and her surviving daughter were treated for injuries and taken to local hospitals.
However, investigations revealed that the initial 911 call reporting a burglary was fake.
A GoFundMe has been initiated to support the surviving family as they navigate this tragic ordeal.
What are the charges against Kimberlee Singler?
Singler is currently wanted on multiple charges, including four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of child abuse, and one count of assault, with a $10 million bond set by a Colorado court.
The bitter conflict extended well into 2023 when Singler secured a Temporary Protection Order in El Paso County against Wentz, alleging he had wielded a knife against her.
Although Wentz refuted the accusation, the order remained in effect until January 24, pending an appeal hearing.
In a subsequent development, Singler filed an emergency motion in county court on November 17, seeking to limit Wentz's parenting time based on the same allegations.
However, the court revoked the order upon finding no imminent threat.
The Larimer County Court mandated Singler to cover Wentz's legal expenses and compensate for lost time resulting from the order.
Allegedly, Singler failed to adhere to these directives and did not facilitate the scheduled exchange of the children on December 16, prompting attempts by Wentz and his legal representatives to contact her, yielding no response.
On December 18, Wentz was granted an Emergency Motion for Law Enforcement Assistance to ensure the enforcement of parenting time.
A Status Conference was scheduled two days later, mandating Singler's presence with the children. Tragically, by December 19, two out of the three children had lost their lives.
FBI track Kimberlee Singler’s time in the UK
The Singler family released a statement expressing, "We are grieving deeply over this horrific tragedy and we ask for privacy and prayers as we navigate this storm."
"Our focus is on God and His glory and our surviving niece. We hope everyone remembers the innocence involved in this and our sole goal is protecting her. Please pray for all involved for healing and peace as we seek answers, and grant us our privacy. Thank you," Daily Mail reports.
FBI is actively investigating Singler's disappearance, as it remains unclear whether she fled alone or with assistance, and if another parent was involved in raising the children.
