A Colorado mother accused of killing her two children has been extradited from the UK to the US, authorities say.
Kimberley Singler, 37, is believed to have carried out the attack in Colorado and then fled to London, where she was arrested in December 2023.
She challenged her extradition at Westminster Magistrates' Court – reportedly on the grounds that her sentence, if found guilty, would breach European human rights law. But it turned out to be unsuccessful.
The Colorado district attorney confirmed on Tuesday that Ms. Singler had returned to the United States and was in custody. She was being held without bail and was due to appear in court “in the coming days.”
District Attorney Michael Allen said Ms. Singler is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault.
At an extradition hearing in London, the court heard Ms Singler's alleged crimes were “committed against the backdrop of a bitter legal battle” over the custody of her children with her ex-husband.
Prosecutor Joel Smith said Colorado Springs police responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at a home in Colorado at 12:29 a.m. local time (0629 GMT) on Dec. 19, 2023.
When officers arrived at the defendant's address, they found her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son dead, as well as a “bloody handgun” that was found on the bedroom floor.
Mr Smith said DNA tests carried out on the gun and knife revealed mixed profiles matching the children and Ms Singler.
The third child, who has not been named, was found to have a serious neck injury. She was taken to the hospital and survived.
Mr. Smith said Ms. Singler blamed her husband for the attack, but it turned out he was driving a “GPS-tracked truck” in Denver, providing what the prosecutor called a “complete and verifiable alibi.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Adrian Vazquez, the Colorado Springs police chief, said Ms. Singler's extradition was an “important milestone” in the investigation.
Chief Vasquez added, “I know these actions have deeply impacted this community and our hearts remain with the victims.”
