An American woman accused in the US of killing two of her children can be extradited from the UK, a court has ruled.
Kimberlee Singler, 36, is accused of murdering her nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son at their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in December 2023. She is also accused of attempting to murder her 11-year-old daughter at the property.
Singler appealed against her extradition on the grounds that if convicted she faced a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole, which would be in breach of her human rights.
On Friday, a judge at Westminster magistrates court rejected the challenge.
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, will now decide whether Singler is to be extradited to the US.
Addressing Singler in court, Judge Zani said: “Ms Singler, I’m afraid I have rejected a challenge to your extradition. The case now passes to the secretary of state for a decision on whether extradition is to be ordered.
“You have the right to ask the high court for permission to appeal against my decision and to appeal against the secretary of state’s decision.”
Singler was arrested in Kensington, west London, by officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency in December 2023.
The bodies of two of Singler’s children were found with stab and gunshot wounds at their home in Colorado Springs after reports of a burglary. Colarado police later said the reports of a burglary turned out to be unfounded.
Police said Singler initially cooperated with officers but disappeared during the investigation.
US prosecutors allege Singler killed the children amid a protracted custody battle with her former partner.
She denies the allegations.
