PhD Student Nicole Virzi Accused of Killing Pal’s Newborn: ‘I Just Wanted Him to Feel a Little Pain’

Nicole Virzi, a 31-year-old doctoral candidate in clinical psychology, sits in an Allegheny County jail cell awaiting an October murder trial — one in which prosecutors are seeking her death — after allegedly admitting to fatally injuring her best friend’s six-week-old son while fuming over being asked to babysit.

According to a Tuesday, June 2 Daily Mail report, Virzi told investigators she was “angry” at being saddled with childcare duties during what she had envisioned as a relaxing weeklong vacation in Pittsburgh. The trip, taken in June 2024, was meant to celebrate the birth of twin boys Leon and Ari Katz, born to her close friend Savannah Roberts and Roberts’ husband, Ethan Katz.

What unfolded instead was a nightmare. Per the report, while the couple was at the hospital with Ari — whose mysterious injury Virzi had initially dismissed as a self-inflicted scratch — Virzi was left alone with Leon. She later called 911, claiming she had found the infant on the floor after stepping away to grab a bottle. Leon was pronounced dead hours later from a severe skull fracture and multiple brain bleeds. An autopsy determined the injuries were the result of blunt force trauma consistent with child abuse.

After more than 11 hours of interrogation, during which she initially denied any wrongdoing, Virzi broke — and what she told lead detective Janine Triolo was staggering. “So when I was alone with (Leon) I shook him a couple times – hard. And I dropped him a couple times – hard,” she eventually confessed, per the Daily Mail. “I heard some kind of crack.”

“I did not want him to die,” Virzi said, per the report. “That was not my goal. I just wanted him to feel a little pain.”

Elin Lantz Lesser, a former grad student at Drexel University who knew both Virzi and Roberts, knew to tread carefully around her. “I do think there I did always have an instinct of… maybe I need to mind my p’s and q’s around her a little bit, like I don’t want to get on her bad side,” she said, per the report.

Virzi has pleaded not guilty to six counts including criminal homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Her defense attorney, Bill Difenderfer, told the outlet “negotiations are ongoing” regarding a potential plea deal. A judge previously rejected a motion to suppress the confession, ruling it was made voluntarily.

Roberts, per the report, has continued her academic career at the University of Pittsburgh and has received prestigious honors despite the devastating loss of her son.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential.