A man from New York is accused of strangling his girlfriend and setting fire to their residence while she and their newborn were still inside.
Kidane Haile, aged 30, was formally charged with second-degree murder in Erie County after the incident on October 18 that resulted in the deaths of Kathleen Carrig, 29, and their four-day-old son, Noah.
Emergency services responded to a fire at the apartment around 8:35 am following a distress call. Sadly, Ms. Carrig and the infant were pronounced dead at the scene, while Haile was treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital before being discharged and taken into custody.
District Attorney Mike Keane disclosed in a press briefing that Haile allegedly strangled Carrig before deliberately starting the fire, and the evidence suggests he used gasoline for this purpose. The cause of Noah’s death is still being investigated.
The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Carrig’s death was a homicide due to strangulation.
Expressing condolences, Keane mentioned the tragic loss of the mother and baby.
Haile, a financial aid advisor at the University at Buffalo, is being detained without bail at the Erie County Holding Center. He faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life if found guilty.
The fire caused substantial damage amounting to around $100,000 (£75,000) to the building and its contents. Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo highlighted the emotional impact on the firefighters involved, especially considering the involvement of an infant.
Acting Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon, while personally unacquainted with Carrig, acknowledged his family’s longstanding connection with hers, praising her character.
For confidential assistance regarding domestic abuse, you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) provides specialized support for those affected by fatal domestic abuse.
