On the afternoon of June 15, 2024, Nicole Virzi was in the apartment she had rented in Pittsburgh to visit her friend Savannah Roberts and meet her newborn children. She had traveled from California to accompany her in the early months as the mother of twins.
Hours later, one of the babies, León Katz, died in a hospital. The investigation led to the arrest of Virzi, who was charged with homicide, aggravated assault and torture of the two siblings.
The case took on another dimension months later when the contents of the statement the young woman gave to the police after an almost thirteen-hour interrogation were disclosed. In that record, Virzi spoke of a supposed compulsion that, she said, she had felt for years and could not control.
“From a very young age, I had something I don’t know what it is, but I feel an urgency, like a compulsion I can’t control, to hurt children,” she stated during that declaration.
The defense questions the inclusion of that testimony in the trial, while the prosecution maintains that it was a voluntary statement.
Who Is Nicole Virzi, the Psychology Student Charged in the Case
Nicole Virzi was 29 years old when the episode that changed the course of her life occurred. She lived in California and was in the fifth year of a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of San Diego.
Her connection with Savannah Roberts had arisen within the academic sphere. Both were studying fields related to research and mental health: Savannah was pursuing a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh.
Over time they became close friends. On social media, Roberts had highlighted Virzi’s work and academic ability on several occasions. In May 2021 she wrote to her: “You’re going to do impressive work. I can’t wait to hear about your experience.” In January 2022 she again offered praise: “Incredible work.”
Savannah later married Ethan Katz and in May 2024 their twin children, Ari and León, were born. The arrival of the babies coincided with a demanding period for the couple, who had to balance caring for two newborns with their studies.
Virzi decided to travel to Pittsburgh during the US Memorial Day weekend. She booked an apartment a few blocks from her friends’ home and offered to help take care of the babies.
The Death of León Katz and the Start of the Investigation
According to the investigation, on Saturday, June 15, Virzi was left in charge of the twins while Savannah rested.
During that afternoon, while changing Ari, she noticed injuries on the baby. She took a photo and sent it to Ethan Katz. She then also informed her friend. The couple decided to take the child to the hospital to be evaluated by doctors.
While they tended to Ari, Virzi stayed with León.
That night, at 11:17 p.m., a 911 call alerted authorities to a baby who, according to the initial account, had fallen accidentally from a portable crib and was having trouble breathing.
When paramedics arrived, Virzi explained that she had been caring for León since 6:30 p.m., that she had fed him a bottle and changed his diaper twice. She said that she had fallen asleep afterward and that she had gone to prepare another bottle when she heard the baby crying.
The doctors transported León to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where his parents were staying with Ari.
Tests detected a skull fracture and brain bleeds. The baby died during the early hours of Sunday, June 16.
The investigation progressed after the doctors who treated both siblings reported that the injuries observed in Ari and León’s death did not appear to be consistent with accidents.
The police were alerted and detectives began investigating what happened.
The Nearly Thirteen-Hour Interrogation and the Statement That Reached the Media
At six o’clock in the morning on Sunday, police officers went to the apartment where Virzi was staying. They took her to the police station to obtain a statement.
The interrogation began at 6:21. According to the records, she initially denied harming the babies.
During the interview, the detectives asked what she believed they would find in the security camera footage from the Katz home. Shortly after, Virzi asked for a lawyer and stopped answering.
Later she met with her parents and her lawyer. The family conversation was also captured by the cameras at the location.
Hours later, Virzi requested to speak again with the detective in charge of the investigation, Janini Triolo. Before resuming the interview they reminded her of her right to remain silent, but she chose to continue.
In that statement, whose existence became public in November 2025, Virzi described what happened with León.
“I did not want him to die (…) something happened to me that I could not control”, she said. She also stated: “When I was alone with León, I shook him hard a couple of times. I also threw him to the floor several times with great force.”
During the interview, she talked about episodes from childhood and adolescence in which, according to her own account, she had hurt other children. She also mentioned a history of depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
The prosecution incorporated those statements as part of the investigation. The defense, meanwhile, requested that they not be used at trial, arguing they were obtained under pressure.
The Legal Battle Over the Statement and the Trial Planned for 2026
Nicole Virzi remained detained without bond and charged with León’s homicide, aggravated assaults and torture of both babies.
The Allegheny County district attorney indicated that the death penalty could be sought, arguing that the case involves a homicide committed during the commission of another serious crime.
Defense attorney David Shrager stated that his client is “absolutely devastated” by León’s death and maintains her innocence.
One of the main points of contention before the trial was the admissibility of the police statement. The defense argued that the testimony had been obtained after an extensive interrogation and without sufficient breaks.
In February 2026, Judge Jill Rangos rejected that motion and ruled that the statement had been voluntary. According to the judge, before speaking again with the police Virzi had been with her parents and her lawyer.
The trial is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026. There, the criminal responsibility of Virzi and the scope of the evidence presented by both sides will be defined.
The Katz Family and an Open Case
Since León’s death, Savannah Roberts and Ethan Katz chose to keep a distance from public exposure.
Roberts continued with her studies and earned her PhD, something she had stated as a goal she wanted to achieve in memory of her son.
Meanwhile, Nicole Virzi remains in detention awaiting the judicial process that will determine her future.
