A shocking case of maternal filicide has rocked the world, as a mother of two is accused of killing her children and fleeing the country. Kimberlee Singlar, a 32-year-old Canadian woman, is wanted by the authorities for the alleged murder of her 10-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter, who were found dead in their home in Abbotsford, B.C. on December 27, 2023.
A Tragic Discovery
The bodies of the two children, Aiden and Kayla, were discovered by their father, Christopher Bettocchi, who had arrived at the house to pick up Aiden for a scheduled visitation. Bettocchi had been granted full custody of Aiden by a court order on December 24, 2023, after a long and bitter dispute with Singlar, who had moved to Canada from Peru with the children in 2020.
Bettocchi, who is also the father of Kayla, had not seen his children for over a year, as Kimberlee Singlar had refused to comply with the court orders and had accused him of domestic violence and child abuse. Bettocchi had denied the allegations and had been fighting for his parental rights, with the help of his parents, Al and Kathy Kasatkin, who live in B.C.
When Bettocchi arrived at the house, he found the door unlocked and the lights off. He entered the house and called out for his children, but received no answer. He then made the horrific discovery of his children’s lifeless bodies in their bedrooms, each with a gunshot wound to the head. He immediately called 911 and reported the incident.
The police arrived at the scene and confirmed that the children were dead and that there were no signs of a struggle or a break-in. They also found a note on the kitchen table, written by Singlar, in which she confessed to killing her children and expressed her hatred for Bettocchi and his family. She claimed that she did it to protect her children from their abusive father and to prevent them from being taken away from her. She also stated that she was going to kill herself and that she had left instructions for her funeral arrangements.
Kimberlee Singlar – A Fugitive on the Run
However, the police did not find Singlar’s body in the house or anywhere nearby. They also discovered that she had taken her passport, some cash, and a handgun with her. They suspected that she had fled the country and had boarded a flight to Peru, where she still had relatives and friends.
The police contacted Interpol and issued a warrant for Kimberlee Singlar’s arrest on two charges of first-degree murder. They also alerted the Peruvian authorities and asked for their cooperation in locating and extraditing Singlar. They also released Singlar’s photo and description to the public and appealed for any information that could lead to her capture.
Kimberlee is described as a white female, 5’6″ tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo of a butterfly on her left shoulder and a scar on her right cheek. She speaks English and Spanish and may be using a fake identity or documents.
A Heartbroken Family
Meanwhile, Bettocchi and his parents are devastated by the loss of their children and are struggling to cope with the tragedy. They have expressed their grief and anger at Kimberlee Singlar and have demanded justice for their children. They have also thanked the public for their support and sympathy and have asked for privacy and respect during this difficult time.
Bettocchi, who is a software engineer, posted a touching tribute to his children on his Facebook page, where he shared photos and memories of them. He wrote:
I am writing this to give everyone an update about my son Aiden and my daughter Kayla, who were murdered by their mother on December 27, 2023. They were the most beautiful, smart, kind, and loving children anyone could ask for. They had so much potential and so much to live for. They were my everything and I loved them more than anything in the world. I am heartbroken and shattered by what happened and I don’t know how I will ever recover from this. I miss them so much and I wish I could see them again. I love you, Aiden and Kayla. You will always be in my heart and in my thoughts. Rest in peace, my sweet angels.
Al and Kathy Kasatkin, who are retired teachers, also posted a statement on their website, where they run a charity for children in need. They wrote:
We are deeply saddened and outraged by the senseless and cruel murder of our grandchildren, Aiden and Kayla, by their mother, Kimberlee Singlar. We have been fighting for their rights and welfare for years, as we knew that Kimberlee was unstable and dangerous. We tried to protect them and to give them a better life, but we were denied by the courts and by Kimberlee’s lies and manipulations. We are heartbroken and angry that we could not save them and that we could not spend more time with them. They were wonderful and precious children, who deserved to be loved and happy. They were our joy and our hope. We love you, Aiden and Kayla. You will always be in our prayers and in our souls. We hope that you are in a better place now, where no one can hurt you.
A Global Outrage
The case of Kimberlee Singlar and her children has sparked a global outrage and a debate on the issues of domestic violence, parental alienation, child custody, and maternal filicide. Many people have expressed their sympathy and condolences for the victims and their family, and their condemnation and disgust for the perpetrator. Many have also called for a reform of the legal system and the social services, to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Some of the comments on social media and online forums are:
- This is so heartbreaking and infuriating. How could a mother do such a thing to her own children? She is a monster and a coward. She deserves to rot in jail or worse. I hope they catch her soon and bring her to justice. My thoughts and prayers are with the father and the grandparents. They must be going through hell. RIP Aiden and Kayla.
- This is a clear case of parental alienation and false allegations. The mother was mentally ill and abusive, and she brainwashed the children against their father and his family. She also lied to the courts and the authorities, and they believed her. They failed to protect the children and to enforce the custody orders. They are partly responsible for this tragedy. They need to be held accountable and to change their policies and procedures. The father and the grandparents are the real victims here. They have my support and sympathy. God bless Aiden and Kayla.
- This is a tragic and complex case that involves many factors and perspectives. The mother was obviously suffering from some psychological and emotional issues, and she felt threatened and desperate by the custody battle. She may have loved her children in her own twisted way, and she may have thought that she was doing them a favor by killing them. She may have also been a victim of domestic violence and trauma, and she may have had no support or help. She needs to be caught and treated, not judged and vilified. The father and the grandparents are also grieving and hurting, and they need to be comforted and healed. The children are the innocent and the martyrs, and they need to be remembered and honored. This is a tragedy for everyone involved. Peace and love to Aiden and Kayla.
