A New York state man has been charged with killing his girlfriend earlier this month then setting fire to the apartment where they lived.
Buffalo Fire officials responded to the blaze in the first floor apartment of a multi-family residence last Saturday morning at about 8:30 a.m., according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Once they extinguished the blaze, they found 29-year-old Kathleen Carrig and her 4-day-old baby, Noah Carrig, dead inside.
The suspect, 30-year-old Kidane Haile, was also found inside and was hospitalized for several days while undergoing treatment for smoke inhalation.
Haile was indicted on one count of murder in Kathleen Carrig’s death after the medical examiner’s office determined she had been strangled to death.
The cause of death for the infant is still under investigation and further charges are anticipated.
“We are saddened by tragic death of this young mother and her newborn baby,” District Attorney Mike Keane said. “While this case remains an active investigation, my office has secured an indictment against this defendant who is accused of intentionally killing his girlfriend prior to the fire. We are committed to a thorough examination of the evidence and anticipate filing additional charges against the accused.”
Keane said during a briefing on the case that Haile used gasoline as an accelerant for the fire, Buffalo Toronto Public Media reported.
Haile is a financial aid advisor at the University of Buffalo, WKDW reported.
Haile was ordered held without bond at his arraignment on Thursday. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Featured image: Kathleen “Katie” Carrig/Cannan Funeral Home]
