Man Accused of Strangling Girlfriend, Setting House on Fire While She and 4-Day-Old Baby Son Were Inside By Charlotte Phillipp

A New York man is accused of strangling his girlfriend and setting their home on fire while she and their newborn baby son were inside.

According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, 30-year-old Kidane Haile was indicted and arraigned for second-degree murder on Thursday, Oct. 23, following the deaths of 29-year-old Kathleen “Katie” Carrig and their 4-day-old son, Noah.

The DA’s Office said in a statement that the Buffalo Fire Department was called to an apartment on the city’s Norwood Avenue on Oct. 18 at around 8:35 p.m. local time after receiving a report of a fire.

Carrig and her newborn baby were pronounced dead at the scene, and Haile was taken to a local hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, the DA said. He was discharged on Oct. 22 and was taken into police custody, Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane told BTPM.

“The cause of death of their infant son, 4-day-old Noah Carrig, remains under investigation at this time,” the statement continued.

“[Haile] is accused of intentionally causing the death of his girlfriend…inside of their shared apartment,” the D.A.’s Office said, adding that they anticipate filing additional charges against Haile. “The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the manner of death was homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation.”

“We are saddened by the tragic death of this young mother and her newborn baby,” Keane said in a statement. “My thoughts remain with the family of these victims as we continue to seek answers and justice.”

During a press conference, Keane also alleged that Haile intentionally started the fire after strangling Carrig.

“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,” Keane said, per BTPM.

“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,” he added.

The building and its contents sustained around $100,000 in damage during the fire, WIVB reported.

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An obituary described Carrig as a “loving mother,” as well as a “loving dog mother,” who is survived by her parents, sister and “many loving and supportive aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.”

According to WIVB, Haile, a college financial aid advisor for the University at Buffalo, was held without bail following his arraignment. The DA’s Office said he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.