A man is facing accusations of strangling his girlfriend and setting fire to their residence while she and their newborn baby were inside. Kidane Haile, aged 30, has been indicted and arraigned on second-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of Kathleen “Katie” Carrig, 29, and their four-day-old son, Noah.
The tragic incident occurred at 8:35 am on October 18 when firefighters responded to a fire at the couple’s apartment. Upon arrival, responders discovered Katie and baby Noah unconscious. Both were declared deceased at the scene.
Prosecutors claim that Haile strangled Katie before igniting the house. He was rescued from the burning building and hospitalized for smoke inhalation treatment over several days. Haile, employed as a college financial aid advisor at the University at Buffalo, has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bail.
The Medical Examiner determined that Katie’s death resulted from “homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation.” The cause of Noah’s death is still being investigated, with authorities anticipating additional charges.
Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane expressed sorrow over the tragic loss and stated that the case is under active investigation. Keane mentioned that the evidence points to intentional actions by Haile leading to the deaths. During a press briefing, Keane alleged that Haile intentionally started the fire after strangling Katie.
An obituary for Katie described her as a caring mother and dog owner survived by her family and a supportive network of relatives and friends. Haile could face a sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the DA’s office.