An upstate New York man is being held in jail after allegedly killing his girlfriend and their newborn. Kidane Haile allegedly strangled his girlfriend to death. To cover up his crime, he then set fire to their apartment, which also killed their son, prosecutors say. The crime was discovered, however, and police were ready to arrest him after he recovered from injuries received in the fire. Now, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced in a news release that 30-year-old Haile had been arraigned on October 23, 2025. Haile was indicted on charges of second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend, 29-year-old Kathleen “Katie” Carrig.
The Buffalo Fire Department responded to a fire in a first-floor apartment on October 18 around 8:35 a.m., the release read. There, they found the bodies of Carrig and the couple’s 4-day-old son, who were declared dead on the scene. Haile was hospitalized for several days with smoke inhalation.
“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,” said Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane, according to Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
“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,” Keane added.
Haile was taken into police custody on October 22 after being released from the hospital.
“We are saddened by the tragic death of this young mother and her newborn baby. 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,” Keane shared in the district attorney’s office’s statement. “We are committed to a thorough examination of the evidence and anticipate filing additional charges against the accused. My thoughts remain with the family of these victims as we continue to seek answers and justice.”
In her obituary, Carrig was described as a “loving mother” to both her son and her dog Stella. Instead of flowers, her family asked that donations be made to Child and Family Services or WNY Postpartum Connection Inc.
Haile was a financial aid advisor at University at Buffalo, according to WIVB. The school shared it “cannot comment on specific personnel matters” but offered condolences. It also has a “robust disciplinary process in place to address instances where an employee may have engaged in criminal activity.”
Haile is being held without bail with no return to court date set. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
