Inset, left to right: Hidane Haile making his first court appearance on Oct. 23 (WKBW) and Kathleen Carrig (Cannan Funeral Home). Background: The home Haile allegedly burned with his girlfriend and newborn inside (WKBW).
A 30-year-old man in New York state has been arrested for allegedly killing his 29-year-old girlfriend after she and the couple's 4-day-old baby were found dead in the family's upstate apartment following a fire last weekend.
Hidane Haile was taken into custody and charged with one count of second-degree murder in the slaying of Kathleen "Katie" Carrig, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Erie County District Attorney's Office, firefighters with the Buffalo Fire Department at about 8:35 a.m. on Oct. 18 responded to a call about an ongoing fire in the first-floor apartment of a multi-family residence in the 400 block of Norwood Avenue. The residence is about 280 miles west of Albany.
After subduing the flames, firefighters were able to enter the home, where they discovered the body of an adult female — later identified as Carrig — as well as the body of a newborn child, both of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.
Haile was located at the scene and transported via ambulance to the Erie County Medical Center hospital where he was admitted for treatment due to smoke inhalation. Haile remained in the hospital for several days before he was placed under arrest and accused of "intentionally causing the death of his girlfriend," prosecutors said.
Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.
Per the release, an autopsy conducted by the Erie County Medical Examiner determined that Carrig's cause of death was asphyxia due to strangulation and her manner of death was ruled a homicide.
"The allegations are that Mr. Haile murdered Kathleen Carrig by strangulation, and that he had done so prior to intentionally starting the fire," Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said during a news briefing, Buffalo Toronto Public Media reported. "We anticipate that the evidence is going to show that he intentionally started the fire with gasoline."
It was soon revealed that the newborn victim was Noah Carrig, who was only 4 days old. Authorities said the baby's cause and manner of death remained under investigation as of Thursday.
"We are saddened by the tragic death of this young mother and her newborn baby," Keane said in a statement. "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. My thoughts remain with the family of these victims as we continue to seek answers and justice."
Acting Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon told reporters he did not personally know the victim, but had long ties with her family.
"I can tell you that mine and my family's connection to the Carrig family dates back prior to my birth, and if my personal experience with the Carrig family is any indication of the type of person that Katie Carrig is, I know that this community has lost one heck of a person," he said.
Follow Law&Crime:
