Pittsburgh police say a woman from California was visiting friends and helping with their newborn twins when she reportedly killed one of the babies. Nicole Virzi, 29, allegedly fractured 6-week-old Leon Katz' skull while his parents took his twin brother, Ari Katz, to the emergency room for treatment of an injury. Virzi reportedly discovered the injury on Ari and may have been the one responsible for hurting him.
Leon died from complications of a severe head injury, but according to WTAE, Virzi claims she is innocent. She was reportedly a good friend of the Katz family. She visited them during a break from the University of California at San Diego, where she was enrolled in the clinical psychology program and studying for her PhD. Now, she's facing homicide charges.
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Virzi reportedly found something wrong with one of the babies.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WTAE, Virzi was visiting the home of Savannah Roberts and Ethan Katz in the 6000 block of Walnut Street in the Shadyside neighborhood when she reportedly found an injury to Ari’s genitals. She notified the parents of the injury, and they took Ari to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Virzi stayed back to care for Leon while the parents were gone.
She told police she went to make the baby a bottle.
Sometime after the parents left, Virzi called 911, claiming Leon was injured. She told police she left the infant in a bouncer seat and went into the kitchen to make him a bottle. When she returned, Leon was allegedly on the floor and screaming. A CT scan reportedly showed a fractured skull and brain bleed. Sadly, Leon succumbed to his injuries. It appears his brother is going to be OK.
“The injuries sustained by both (twins are) consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental,” a doctor reportedly told detectives, according to the criminal complaint, WTAE reported.
Virzi seemed to be a trusted friend.
Police said Virzi, who, according to the Daily Mail, spoke in a now-deleted video about depression in women, had known the family for a long time. Her attorney, David Shrager, claims his client is innocent of wrongdoing.
“She’s going to be 30 years old. She’s a Ph.D. student. She is long-term friends with the family in this situation. And as I’ve said, it doesn’t show any criminal history in her background and we’re anxious to get our day in court,” Shrager told WTAE. “Right now, she’s charged with a general count of homicide, which, for the most part, bond is not available. Of course, we’re going to be doing our due diligence on that end and see if we can make some changes there.”
She faces multiple charges in the case.
Virzi is due in court for a preliminary hearing on June 28. She faces homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of children charges.
“One of our team members — we were retained yesterday — went and saw her yesterday. We’re going to be seeing her again today,” Shrager told WTAE, adding “that’s something that we’re working on as part of our investigation as we do with every case.”
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Loved ones created a GoFundMe account for the Katz family.
Organizers Isabella Kahhalé and Sam Plate wrote on the fundraiser that Savannah and Ethan were thrilled to be first-time parents when they welcomed their boys in May 2024. The family’s life was changed forever when Leon died.
The GoFundMe page claims, “A trusted family friend has been arrested for homicide, child endangerment, and aggravated assault that the boys experienced.”
So far, it has raised more than $66,000 of a $72,000 goal.
“Leon will always be remembered as a happy, smiley, goofy baby boy. His untimely and tragic death has deeply impacted the Pittsburgh community, occurring on Ethan’s first Father’s Day,” the page reads. “While financial support is crucial, Ethan, Savannah, and Ari are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love they have received. Your messages of support mean the world to them as they begin to heal from this unimaginable loss. Thank you for keeping the Katz family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly challenging journey.”
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
