DENVER — Denver Police arrested a Regis University professor in connection with his wife's homicide, the department said in a news release Tuesday.
Police said Nicholas Myklebust, 44, called Denver 911 just before 7 a.m. Monday and said he had "found his wife on the ground bleeding and their infant daughter not breathing."
> Video above published Monday: Woman and girl killed in east Denver
Officers arrived at the scene in the 3200 block of North Syracuse Street and found a deceased child with no visible injuries and a woman who appeared to have blunt force injuries, police said. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said Myklebust's daughter was 2 months old.
RELATED: Woman, girl killed in east Denver
After contacting Myklebust and bringing him in for an interview, Denver Police detectives noticed scratches on his neck, as well as blood and bruising on his knuckles, according to the release. Investigators found that the woman's injuries were "inconsistent with a fall."
Police said that, based on the evidence, Myklebust was arrested and is being held for investigation on one count of first-degree murder. On Monday, police said the department was investigating both deaths as homicides.
According to an affidavit obtained by 9NEWS, Myklebust told police during an interview that he was sleeping and his wife "must have fallen of the step ladder in the bedroom."
When asked about the scratches on his body, Myklebust told police he has psoriasis and that he often scratches himself in his sleep.
On Tuesday afternoon, Myklebust appeared in court for a bond hearing. A prosecutor said in court that the couple's first child died in 2021 at 9 days old because of a "cranial fracture." The public defender for Myklebust pointed out the 2021 child death case was not prosecuted and no charges were filed.
The judge gave Myklebust a $5 million cash-only bond.
Prosecutors said in court that autopsies are still being conducted and that charges against Myklebust will likely be officially filed by Thursday.
In court, Mycklebust appeared in a jail jumpsuit while handcuffed and shackled at the wrists and ankles.
Tuesday afternoon, Regis University confirmed to 9NEWS that Myklebust is a professor at their campus and shared the following statement:
"Regis University is deeply saddened to learn that a member of our faculty, Nicholas Myklebust, has been charged with a serious crime. This news is profoundly distressing for our entire community.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this situation, especially the victims’ family, and all members of our community who are grappling with this difficult news. In moments of such sorrow and confusion, we are reminded of our Jesuit values to offer compassion, and to seek justice with love.
We are focused on providing support to our students, faculty, and staff through our Counseling Services and University Ministry.
We ask for respect and privacy for all individuals involved as we navigate this challenging time together."
The Office of the Medical Examiner will release the victims' identities and determine the cause and manner of their deaths.
Formal charges will be determined by the Denver District Attorney's Office, and charges may be added pending the investigation by the Medical Examiner's Office.
Police ask anyone with information about this case to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.