A man has been charged with strangling his partner and setting fire to their residence while she and their newborn baby were inside. Kidane Haile, aged 30, was indicted and arraigned for second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Kathleen “Katie” Carrig, 29, and their four-day-old son, Noah. The tragic incident occurred at 8:35 a.m. on October 18 when firefighters responded to a fire at the couple’s apartment.
Upon arrival, responders discovered Katie and baby Noah unconscious inside the home. Sadly, both mother and son were pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutors claim that Haile strangled Katie before igniting the house. He was rescued from the burning building and taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation over several days.
Haile, a college financial aid advisor at the University at Buffalo, was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and held without bail following his release. The Medical Examiner determined that Katie’s death was a result of homicide by asphyxiation due to strangulation. The cause of Noah’s death is still being investigated, with authorities expecting additional charges to be filed.
Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of the young mother and her baby, stating that the case is actively being investigated. Keane also alleged during a press briefing that Haile intentionally started the fire after strangling Katie. Haile could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if found guilty.
