University professor arrested for murder after saying he woke to find baby daughter not breathing

A university professor has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder after his wife and baby daughter were found dead just three years after the couple's first child died from a skull fracture.

Nicholas Myklebust, 44, dialed 911 on Monday morning to say he found his wife bleeding on the ground and their daughter not breathing at their home in Denver, Colorado.

Police and fire rescue arrived at the apartment and the baby, whose age was not provided, was pronounced dead at the scene. Myklebust's wife, Seorin Kim, 44, was taken to hospital where she later died. 

The couple's first child died back in 2021 after suffering skull fractures. No charges were filed in that infant's death, said Matt Jablow, a spokesman for the Denver District Attorney's Office.

Denver police now believe, however, that Myklebust killed both his wife and child, court records show. 

Nicholas Myklebust, 44, has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder after his wife and baby daughter were found dead

Footage shows police officers escorting Myklebust outside his home with white bags applied to his hands, which police discovered were swollen and bruised

Police noticed blood and bruising on Myklebust's knuckles and scratches on his neck

The 44-year-old English professor at the Regis University told police that his wife must have fallen from a step ladder in the bedroom after he woke up from sleeping on the coach to find her face down and injured.

However, investigators say the woman's injuries were 'inconsistent' with a fall, after it was discovered she had 'bruising along her arms, head, torso, collarbone, hips and abrasions to both shoulders and multiple facial injuries'.

Police also noticed blood and bruising on Myklebust's knuckles and scratches on his neck.

Their daughter did not have any visible injuries. Denver's Office of the Medical Examiner will now determine the cause and manner of death for both victims, police said.

Investigators also found a bloody glove in the trash at the home, and gloves were found in a dryer along with the presence of blood, prosecutors said. 

Police officers pictured outside the professor's apartment on North Syracuse Street in Denver

The suspect dialed 911 on Monday morning to say he found his wife bleeding on the ground and their daughter not breathing

It appeared the crime scene had been altered and that someone had tried to clean up blood, prosecutors said. 

The professor is currently on a $5 million cash bond due to the horrific nature of his wife's wounds.    

Myklebust told officers that his relationship with Kim was 'great,' though the baby had been more fussy than usual, the Denver Gazette report.

The 44-year-old does not have previous criminal charges in Colorado other than a speeding conviction.