Judge rejects US mother’s extradition challenge

A judge has rejected a US mother’s challenge to extradition over accusations she murdered two of her children in Colorado and “fled” to London.

Kimberlee Singler’s nine-year-old daughter Elianna and seven-year-old son Aden were found dead on 19 December, 2023 in Colorado Springs.

Prosecutors acting on behalf of US officials said Ms Singler, 36, “fled” the US and was arrested in west London 11 days later.

District Judge John Zani told Westminster Magistrates’ Court he rejected Ms Singler’s challenge against extradition and said the case now passed to the home secretary to decide whether the 36-year-old should be sent back to the US.

Warning: This report contains descriptions of violence against children

Previously, the court heard in September that Ms Singler’s alleged crimes were “committed against the backdrop of acrimonious court proceedings” relating to the custody of her children with her ex-husband Kevin Wentz.

Prosecutor Joel Smith said on 19 December 2023 the Colorado Springs Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at a Colorado residence at 00:29 local time (06:29 GMT).

When officers arrived at the defendant’s address, they found two dead children and a “blood-stained handgun” which was discovered on the floor of the bedroom.

Mr Smith said DNA tests were carried out on the gun and a knife which revealed the presence of mixed profiles matching the children and Ms Singler.

A third child, who has not been named, was found with a serious injury to her neck. She was taken to hospital and survived.

Mr Smith said Ms Singler blamed her husband for the attack, but it was found he had been driving a “GPS-tracked truck” in Denver, giving what the prosecutor described as a “complete and verifiable alibi”.