UC San Diego Doctoral Student Admits Killing Infant in Plea Deal

WHO:

NY Post - Nicole Virzi was identified as a UC San Diego student.

TMZ - Nicole Virzi was a 32-year-old UC San Diego PhD student who was weeks away from completing her PhD when she was arrested.

US Magazine - Nicole Elizabeth Virzi was identified as a California woman and the best friend of the victim’s parent.

TMZ - The victim was a 6-week-old child.

US Magazine - The victim was 6-week-old Leon Katz, a newborn son.

WHAT:

NY Post - Virzi took a plea deal in the newborn’s death.

TMZ - Virzi pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal homicide for beating a 6-week-old child to death.

US Magazine - Virzi pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree criminal homicide for her role in Leon Katz’s death.

NY Post - Virzi allegedly told police in a 13-hour interrogation after the baby’s death that she had long controlled a compulsion to murder babies.

WHERE:

NY Post - Virzi was identified as a UC San Diego student.

TMZ - Virzi was a UC San Diego PhD student.

US Magazine - Virzi was described as a California woman.

WHY:

US Magazine - The article said Virzi killed her best friend’s newborn while babysitting because she was upset about being asked to do what she considered “nanny work.”

HOW:

TMZ - The article described the child’s death as resulting from beating.

NY Post - The article said Virzi made the alleged admission during a 13-hour-long police interrogation.

(UPDATED October 29, 2026 04:07 UTC)

Nicole Virzi, a 32-year-old UC San Diego PhD student, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal homicide in the death of 6-week-old Leon Katz, her best friend’s newborn son. Prosecutors said the baby was beaten while Virzi was babysitting, and reports said she was upset about being asked to do what she considered nanny work. After the baby’s death, Virzi allegedly told police during a 13-hour interrogation that she had long controlled a compulsion to murder babies.