A woman and her four-day-old newborn have died after her boyfriend allegedly strangled her and deliberately set fire to their home whilst the infant was still inside.
Kidane Haile, 30, was indicted and arraigned for second-degree murder on 23rd October in Erie County after allegedly killing his girlfriend, 29-year-old Kathleen Carrig, and his infant son Noah, according to the district attorney’s office.
District Attorney Mike Keane said Haile “is accused of intentionally killing his girlfriend prior to the fire”, adding that his office anticipates filing additional charges after further investigation into the baby’s death.
“My thoughts remain with the family of these victims as we continue to seek answers and justice,” he said.
The fire and alleged killings took place on 18th October in Buffalo, New York, in what authorities describe as a premeditated double homicide.
Firefighters Discovered Bodies Inside Apartment
The Buffalo Fire Department was called to an apartment on the city’s Norwood Avenue around 8.35am after receiving a report of a blaze at the residential property.
Inside the first-floor apartment, firefighters discovered Carrig and her newborn son, who were both pronounced dead at the scene despite rescue efforts.
Haile was found at the property and taken to a local hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation sustained during the fire he allegedly started.
He was discharged on 22nd October and immediately taken into police custody because investigators had quickly deemed the fire a “suspicious incident” requiring criminal investigation.
Death Ruled Homicide by Strangulation
The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Carrig’s death was a homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation, meaning she was killed before the fire began.
At a press conference, District Attorney Keane accused Haile of strangling his girlfriend to death before using petrol to set fire to their apartment whilst the four-day-old infant was still inside.
The specific cause of death of Noah, who was just four days old, remains under investigation by the medical examiner’s office.
“The people intend to seek charges in respect to an additional victim in this case and intend to file a superseding indictment in the very near future,” Keane said, indicating murder charges relating to the baby’s death are forthcoming.
The revelation that Haile allegedly murdered his girlfriend before starting the fire with their newborn inside has shocked the Buffalo community and raised questions about what could have driven such horrific violence.
University Employee Arrested
Haile worked as a financial aid advisor at the University of Buffalo, where he had regular contact with students seeking assistance with their education funding.
The school released a statement after his arrest extending condolences to those grieving the loss of Carrig and Noah.
“The university is aware of the serious charge against Kidane Haile. 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 statement read.
The university did not confirm whether Haile had been suspended or terminated from his position following the murder charges.
Held Without Bail
Haile is being held in the Erie County Holding Center without bail given the severity of the charges and the risk he poses to public safety.
A return court date has not yet been scheduled as prosecutors prepare the superseding indictment that will include charges relating to the infant’s death.
He pleaded not guilty to his current charges during his arraignment, setting the stage for what is expected to be a lengthy legal battle.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Haile faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison under New York state law, with additional time likely to be added for the second victim.
Friends Remember Victim
Grieving friends took to social media to pay tribute to Carrig, describing the young mother as a “sweet girl” and “a wonderful person” whose life was tragically cut short.
The senseless killing of a new mother and her infant just days after birth has devastated the Buffalo community, with many struggling to comprehend how such violence could occur.
Carrig’s family is now left to mourn the loss of both a daughter and a grandson, whilst grappling with the knowledge that someone they trusted allegedly committed these horrific crimes.
Pattern of Fatal House Fires
This was not the first time a child has been killed in a house fire intentionally set or caused through criminal negligence by a parent or family member.
In July 2024, an Australian father was accused of barricading the doors and setting fire to his house whilst his seven children were inside. Four managed to escape but three died in the blaze.
In 2016, a New York mother was charged with causing the death of her toddler daughter who was killed in a fire whilst the mother was performing at a strip club, leaving the child unattended.
In 2015, a particularly disturbing case similar to Haile’s alleged crimes took place when a New Jersey mother was charged with dousing her newborn daughter with accelerant and lighting her on fire.
Domestic Violence Concerns
The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and the particular vulnerability of women during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Research has shown that pregnant women and new mothers face elevated risks of domestic violence, with some perpetrators becoming more violent when faced with the responsibilities of fatherhood.
The fact that Noah was just four days old when he allegedly died suggests the killing may have occurred during the immediate postnatal period when family dynamics can be particularly strained.
Advocates for domestic violence victims have pointed to cases like this as evidence of the need for better screening and support services for new mothers who may be at risk from violent partners.
Investigation Continues
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including whether there were any warning signs that could have prevented the tragedy.
Authorities are reviewing whether there had been any previous incidents of domestic violence reported involving the couple, and whether friends or family members had concerns about their relationship.
The fire investigation continues as officials work to confirm exactly how the blaze was started and whether accelerants were used throughout the apartment to ensure maximum destruction.
Prosecutors are building their case ahead of filing the superseding indictment that will include charges relating to Noah’s death, with the specific counts depending on the medical examiner’s final determination of cause of death.
The community continues to grieve the loss of a young mother and her newborn whilst seeking answers about what drove such unfathomable violence.
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