Fugitive Father Apprehended in Colombia After Alleged Murder of Wife, Children Found Safe

In a dramatic conclusion to an international manhunt, a California man accused of the brutal murder of his wife has been apprehended in Colombia. Constantine Chronis, 39, allegedly fled the United States with his two young children following the discovery of his wife's body, sparking a widespread, weeks-long search that gripped communities.

Chronis was taken into custody by Colombian authorities in a joint operation that included the U.S.

Marshals Service and the FBI, bringing an end to his time as a fugitive. Crucially, his two children, aged 2 and 3, were located safely and are now in the care of authorities, a relief for all involved in the harrowing search.

The tragic events unfolded in Nevada County, California, where Chronis is accused of murdering his 37-year-old wife, Nicole Marquardt.

Details surrounding the grim discovery of Marquardt's body were chilling; she was found inside Chronis's vehicle, which had been abandoned. This discovery immediately escalated the case to a major homicide investigation and triggered an Amber Alert for the missing children.

For weeks, law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions worked tirelessly to track Chronis.

The U.S. Marshals Service played a pivotal role in leading the international effort, leveraging their extensive network and collaboration with foreign partners to pinpoint the suspect's location in South America. The cooperation between U.S. federal agencies and Colombian authorities proved instrumental in the successful apprehension, underscoring the commitment to bringing fugitives to justice, no matter how far they flee.

Chronis now faces severe murder charges in Nevada County.

His capture marks a significant step forward in seeking justice for Nicole Marquardt and provides a measure of closure to her family and friends, as well as the community shaken by these events. The focus now shifts to the extradition process, which will facilitate his return to California to stand trial for the alleged crime.