Colorado Springs, Colorado – A Colorado woman accused of killing two of her young children is now back in the United States after spending nearly two years in custody overseas, as investigators say DNA evidence directly links her to the weapon used in the killings.
Mother Returned to U.S. After International Manhunt
Kimberlee Singler, 37, is currently being held without bond at the El Paso County Jail after being extradited from the United Kingdom in late December. Authorities say Singler fled the country shortly after the deaths of her children in December 2023, prompting an international search that ended with her arrest abroad.
According to officials, Singler was extradited to Colorado on December 23 and formally booked into jail following her return. She had been detained in the U.K. since December 30, 2023, after investigators tracked her movements less than a week after the fatal incident.
What Police Found Inside the Apartment
Court documents reveal new details about the night police were called to Singler’s Colorado Springs apartment. Just after midnight on December 19, 2023, Singler contacted police claiming her home had been burglarized and that her children had been attacked.
When officers arrived, they reported no signs of forced entry, a detail that quickly raised concerns. Inside a bedroom, police found 9-year-old Elianna “Ellie” Wentz and 7-year-old Aden Wentz deceased on a bed.
Near their bodies, investigators recovered a bloody firearm and ammunition, along with a blood-stained knife found elsewhere in the apartment.
Autopsy Findings and Physical Evidence
Autopsies later determined that both children had been shot in the head and also suffered neck lacerations, according to the affidavit supporting Singler’s arrest.
Forensic testing played a critical role in the case. Investigators determined that the blood found on both the gun and the knife belonged to Singler, directly contradicting her claim that an unknown intruder was responsible.
Authorities say this DNA evidence was a key factor in shifting the investigation away from an outside suspect and toward Singler herself.
Conflicting Statements and Custody Dispute
At the hospital, Singler told investigators that she had a medical condition that caused her to lose consciousness during the attack. She described the alleged suspect only as “just a man” she had never seen before.
Singler initially blamed her ex-husband, claiming he was responsible for the violence. However, police confirmed that he was at work at the time of the attacks. When notified of his children’s deaths, he reportedly told investigators that Singler had been “acting weird” and suggested she was attempting to frame him amid an ongoing custody dispute.
Surviving Child’s Account Raises Red Flags
Singler’s then-11-year-old daughter, who survived the attack, was hospitalized with injuries and later placed with a foster family. In her first statement, she told police a man entered the apartment through a side door for what she believed was a Christmas gift exchange.
Days later, on December 25, 2023, the child spoke with investigators again and recanted part of her earlier account. According to police, she said her mother told her to lie about what happened and admitted she had been “feeling awful about the lie.”
Investigators say this statement further supported evidence that the scene had been staged.
Flight From the Country and Arrest Abroad
Singler was officially reported missing on December 24, 2023. Within days, authorities located her in the United Kingdom, where she was taken into custody and held while extradition proceedings moved forward.
She remained detained overseas for nearly two years before being returned to Colorado to face charges.
Charges and What Comes Next
Singler now faces multiple serious charges, including:
- Two counts of first-degree murder
- Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
- Two counts of child abuse
- One count of assault
She is being held without bond, and her next court appearance is scheduled for January 7, 2026, according to court records.
Conclusion
Prosecutors say DNA evidence, autopsy findings, and statements from the surviving child all point to Singler’s direct involvement in the killings. As the case moves toward trial, authorities say they will continue to review evidence tied to the alleged staging of the crime scene and Singler’s international flight.
Anyone affected by this case or custody-related domestic disputes is encouraged to seek legal or community support resources. Share your thoughts or reactions in the comments below.
