Kathleen "Katie" Carrig, 29, and newborn son, Noah, pronounced dead

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Buffalo Mother and Newborn Son Die in Arson Fire; Boyfriend Charged with Murder

BUFFALO, N.Y. (DailyKenn.com) — A 29-year-old new mother and her 4-day-old infant son were found dead in their apartment following a fire early Saturday morning, authorities said, in a case that has since been ruled a double homicide.

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Kathleen "Katie" Carrig and her son, Noah, were pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters responded to a blaze reported around 8:35 a.m. at a multi-family home in the 400 block of Norwood Avenue in Buffalo's Elmwood Village neighborhood. The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the building and its contents.

Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane announced Thursday that Carrig's boyfriend, 30-year-old Kidane Haile, had been indicted and arraigned on one count of second-degree murder in connection with Carrig's death. Keane alleged that Haile strangled Carrig to death inside their shared first-floor apartment before intentionally setting the fire using gasoline. The medical examiner's office ruled Carrig's death a homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation.

The cause of death for Noah remains under investigation, but authorities expect to file additional charges against Haile once it is determined. Haile, who was treated at Erie County Medical Center for smoke inhalation following the fire, was discharged Oct. 22 and taken into custody. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.

Haile, a financial aid advisor at the University at Buffalo, was placed on administrative leave by the university following his arrest. The school issued a statement expressing condolences to Carrig's family and emphasizing its commitment to a safe community.

Acting Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon, whose family has longstanding ties to the Carrigs, described the victims' family as pillars of the community and Carrig as a remarkable young woman. "If my personal experience with the Carrig family is any indication of the type of person that Katie Carrig was, I know that this community has lost one heck of a person," Scanlon said.

Carrig, who had given birth to Noah just four days earlier, was remembered in her obituary as a loving mother and devoted owner to her dog, Stella. She is survived by her parents, Matthew and Karen Carrig; her siblings, Meghan and Matthew Carrig; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A funeral service was held Oct. 26 at James W. Cannan Funeral Home.

Friends and family shared condolences online, recalling Carrig's vibrant spirit and the joy she brought to those around her. "Katie was a beautiful young lady with so much light of promise and hope within her," one message read. "We loved Katie; she was like part of our family."

Keane expressed sorrow over the "tragic" loss, stating, "My thoughts remain with the family of these victims as we continue to seek answers and justice."