Woman Admits Killing Best Friend’s 6-Week-old Baby Amid Harmful Urges
WHO:
NBC News - Nicole Virzi pleaded guilty to murdering her best friend’s infant son.
Los Angeles Times - Virzi, 32, is from San Diego and was a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at UC San Diego.
Los Angeles Times - The victims were 6-week-old twins Leon Katz and Ari; Leon died, and Ari survived.
Los Angeles Times - The twins’ mother, Savannah Roberts, said she had considered Virzi family.
Los Angeles Times - The case was handled by the Allegheny County district attorney’s office in Pennsylvania.
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - Virzi pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of endangering a child’s welfare.
Los Angeles Times - She faces a prison term reported as “up to 35 to 80 years.”
Los Angeles Times - Investigators said Virzi intentionally harmed the babies. She said she shook Leon hard and dropped him several times, including onto a tile floor, but “didn’t want him to die.”
Los Angeles Times - Leon’s scans showed a severe skull fracture on the left side of his head and multiple brain bleeds. A doctor said the twins’ injuries were consistent with child abuse.
Los Angeles Times - Virzi called 911 and initially said Leon had fallen on his head. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Los Angeles Times - Roberts said she had “no intention of leaving [Virzi] alone with the boys,” but agreed to let her watch Leon while the parents took Ari to the hospital. Roberts said Ari is doing well.
NBC News - The plea agreement is expected to keep Virzi in prison for life.
WHERE:
NBC News - Virzi admitted to the killing in a Pittsburgh court.
Los Angeles Times - The twins’ family lived in Pittsburgh; Virzi traveled there from California to visit them.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - Virzi told investigators she had a “compulsion .... to hurt kids” throughout her life.
Los Angeles Times - Roberts said Leon’s death left her fearful that decisions about Ari’s care might inadvertently harm him.
HOW:
Los Angeles Times - Virzi was visiting her best friend’s family and offered to babysit Leon while the parents took Ari to the hospital.
Los Angeles Times - Roberts said Leon’s milestones, accomplishments, and birthdays are shadowed by the knowledge that he should have been experiencing life alongside his brother.
(UPDATED October 30, 2026 20:02 UTC)
Nicole Virzi pleaded guilty in Pittsburgh to murdering her best friend’s six-week-old son, Leon Katz. She also admitted aggravated assault and child-welfare charges; his twin brother, Ari, survived. The plea agreement is expected to keep Virzi in prison for life.