A Buffalo man accused of killing his girlfriend and their newborn son before setting their home on fire was found dead at a jail in Alden while in pretrial custody, officials said Thursday.
Kidane Haile, 30, was found unresponsive late Wednesday in the showers of a dormitory at the Erie County Correctional Facility, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement to ABC affiliate WKBW.
Despite life-saving efforts by correctional staff, Haile was pronounced dead at 9:34 p.m., the Erie County Sheriff’s Office said, adding that his death is being investigated as an apparent suicide.
Haile was accused of “intentionally causing the death” of his girlfriend, 29-year-old Kathleen “Katie” Carrig, and their 4-day-old son at their Buffalo apartment on the morning of Oct. 18, Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane said in a press release.
Shortly after 8:30 a.m., the Buffalo Fire Department responded to a blaze in a first-floor apartment of a multi-family residence on the 400 block of Norwood Ave., where they found a woman and her newborn son.
The victims, later identified as Carrig and the couple’s newborn, Noah, were pronounced dead at the scene. Haile was taken to a hospital where he remained for several days to be treated for smoke inhalation.
The Erie County medical examiner later determined that Carrig died as a result of homicide by asphyxia due to strangulation. The boy died “by asphyxiation and/or thermal injuries,” according to court records obtained by WKBW.
Haile, who investigators said used gasoline as an accelerant to start a fire in the bedroom, was indicted on Oct. 30 on murder and arson charges and was being held without bail.
His death was confirmed Thursday by his defense attorney, Dan Dubois, who said his client was “a loving son, brother and uncle” who likely had a “severe, undiagnosed mental health condition” that may have contributed to the accusations that led to his arrest.
“This tragedy underscores the critical importance of mental health awareness and support, as mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances,” Dubois said.
Haile was scheduled to return to court on Jan. 21, according to online court records. The district attorney’s office said it will file a motion to dismiss the indictment once it receives Haile’s death certificate.