EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — Content warning. This article contains details that some readers may find disturbing.
Two young children who investigators believe were killed by their mother in December were both shot, according to autopsy reports obtained by 9NEWS.
Kimberlee Singler was arrested in the United Kingdom and faces multiple counts of first-degree murder in connection with the Dec. 18 killings of 7-year-old Aden Wentz and 9-year-old Elianna "Ellie" Wentz. She's also accused of wounding her older daughter, who survived.
The autopsy reports released Friday indicate that both children were shot in the head. Aden died from a gunshot wound and Ellie died from a gunshot and cuts. Both also had "potentially lethal" or "lethal" levels of doxylamine in their blood. The drug is commonly found in sleep aids and allergy medicines.
According to Colorado Springs Police, Singler reported a burglary at the residence on Palomino Ranch Point in the early morning hours of Dec. 19, but investigators determined the burglary report was "unfounded."
Singler had been embroiled in a lengthy divorce and custody dispute with her ex-husband and had been ordered to turn the children over to him ahead of a court hearing set for Dec. 20, according to court records obtained by 9NEWS.
On that day, according to the records, Singler, who was representing herself, went to a public library and used a computer to file a motion with the court asking for the hearing that day to be continued.
In the motion, she wrote that someone broke into her residence around 11 a.m. on Dec. 18 and attacked her and her children. She wrote that Ellie and Aden were murdered and that she and her other daughter were left to die. She claimed she had no ability to call 911 until about midnight on Dec. 19 and had just learned of the Dec. 20 hearing late on Dec. 19. In the motion, she described lacerations on her neck and wrists and said she was weak and in a great deal of pain.
She asked in the motion for time to heal and to grieve the loss of her two children.
Six days later, on Dec. 26, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Singler on the following charges:
- Four counts of first-degree murder
- Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
- Three counts of child abuse
- One count of first-degree assault
She remains in the UK and is next due in court in London for a hearing on Feb. 26.
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