Photo: Erie County District Attorney's Office
A college financial aid advisor in Buffalo, New York, Kidane Haile, is facing serious charges after allegedly strangling his girlfriend, Kathleen "Katie" Carrig, and setting their apartment on fire. The tragic incident occurred on October 18, and authorities discovered Carrig, 29, and her 4-day-old son, Noah, dead at the scene. Haile, 30, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Carrig's death. The cause of Noah's death remains under investigation.
According to WGRZ, firefighters responded to the blaze at a first-floor apartment on Norwood Avenue, where they found the victims. Haile was treated for smoke inhalation at Erie County Medical Center. Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane stated that the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed against Haile.
The University at Buffalo, where Haile worked, expressed condolences to those affected by the tragedy. The university noted it has a disciplinary process for employees involved in criminal activities but did not comment specifically on Haile's case.
Haile is currently held without bail, and a court date has not been scheduled. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The district attorney's office continues to seek justice for the victims and encourages anyone affected by domestic violence to reach out to the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program for support.