(WNY News Now) – A Buffalo man has been indicted on murder charges for allegedly killing his girlfriend before a fire that claimed the lives of the woman and their newborn son in the city’s Elmwood Village neighborhood.
Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that 30-year-old Kidane Haile of Buffalo was arraigned on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I felony. The arraignment took place before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes.
According to prosecutors, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at approximately 8:35 a.m., the Buffalo Fire Department responded to a fire at a first-floor apartment in a multi-family residence on the 400 block of Norwood Avenue. Firefighters discovered the bodies of an adult woman and a newborn baby inside the apartment. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Haile, who also lived in the residence, was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) for treatment of smoke inhalation and remained hospitalized for several days.
Investigators allege that Haile intentionally caused the death of his girlfriend, identified as 29-year-old Kathleen “Katie” Carrig, prior to the fire. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined her death to be a homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation. The cause of death of the couple’s 4-day-old son, Noah Carrig, remains under investigation.
District Attorney Keane expressed condolences to the victims’ family, stating, “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. We anticipate filing additional charges as the investigation continues.”
Haile is currently being held without bail, and a return court date has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Keane commended Detective Mark White and Detective Frank King of the Buffalo Police Department, as well as the Buffalo Fire Department and the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their work on the ongoing investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Chief Eugene T. Partridge III of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Kalman of the Major Crimes Bureau.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For those affected by domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. Victims can access trauma-informed support and advocacy services by calling 716-858-4630 or visiting www.erie.gov/besafe.
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