Kathleen Carrig, 29, and her four-day-old son, Noah, were found dead in a house fire, and her boyfriend and the baby’s father, Kidane Haile, 30, has been accused of murdering them
A New York man allegedly strangled his girlfriend and set their home on fire while she and their newborn baby were still inside.
Kidane Haile, 30, was indicted and arraigned for second-degree murder on Thursday in Erie County, according to the district attorney’s office. He allegedly killed Kathleen Carrig, 29, and their four-day-old son, Noah, at their apartment on October 18.
The Buffalo Fire Department was called to the home at around 8.35am following a report of a fire, the DA’s Office said. Ms Carrig and the baby were pronounced dead at the scene, while Haile was taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation treatment before being discharged on Wednesday and taken into police custody, the DA’s office added.
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«The allegations are that Mr. Haile murdered Kathleen Carrig by strangulation, and that he had done so prior to intentionally starting the fire. We anticipate that the evidence is going to show that he intentionally started the fire with gasoline,» District Attorney Mike Keane said in a news briefing. «The cause of death for baby Noah remains under investigation, but we expect to be able to verify and report his cause of death in very short order.»
The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Ms Carrig’s death was a homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation.
«We are saddened by tragic death of this young mother and her newborn baby,» Mr Keane said in a statement.
Haile was a financial aid advisor at University at Buffalo, TV channel WIVB reported. The university released a statement on Thursday extending condolences to those grieving and adding that «although the university cannot comment on specific personnel matters, UB has a robust disciplinary process in place to address instances where an employee may have engaged in criminal activity».
The fire caused approximately $100,000 (£75,000) in damage to the building and its contents, the channel reported. Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo said «every one of the firefighters there was affected a great deal», particularly given an infant was involved, adding that support has been made available to the crews.
Acting Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon said during the press conference on Thursday that while he did not know Kathleen Carrig personally, his family and hers know each other.
«I can tell you that mine and my family’s connection to the Carrig family dates back prior to my birth, and if my personal experience with the Carrig family is any indication of the type of person that Katie Carrig is, I know that this community has lost one heck of a person,» he said.
Haile is being held without bail at the Erie County Holding Center, and a return court date has not yet been scheduled. He has pleaded not guilty and, if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit** www.aafda.org.uk**.
