The doctoral student accused of murdering her friends’ newborn baby and injuring her twin brother is the daughter of a prominent New York cardiologist.
Nicole Virzi, 29, is charged with the murder of six-and-a-half-week-old Leon Katz in his Pittsburgh home on what was her father’s first Father’s Day and her parents’ first wedding anniversary.
His father, Peter J. Virzi, is a leading cardiologist affiliated with Mt. Sinai Doctors in Manhattan and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Virzi, who has a graduate degree in clinical psychology from San Diego State University, was a “trusted friend” of the babies’ parents, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts.
Police say she allegedly killed the baby while they were in the hospital with his twin brother Ari, whom they allege Virzi also assaulted.
Six-month-old Leon Katz (left) was murdered in his Pittsburgh home on Father’s Day. His twin brother, Ari (right), was injured. Nicole Virzi, 29, was charged with the baby’s murder
Virzi (pictured) has also been accused of physically abusing Ari, who was in the hospital with his parents when she allegedly murdered his brother.
‘I have no words. I am absolutely shocked. “I had no idea,” a colleague and friend of Virzi’s told New York Post.
The friend said Virzi “had some interpersonal problems,” but they didn’t know she was violent.
‘I would say it was a bit stiff. She was nice. But very motivated and motivated.”
DailyMail.com contacted the suspect’s father for comment but did not receive a response.
Virzi was charged with murder, child endangerment and aggravated assault, but denies any wrongdoing.
His attorney, David Shrager, has maintained Virzi’s innocence and said he plans to plead not guilty.
“She is obviously devastated. She is very distraught and deeply sad. “She said it was nothing intentional,” Shrager told The Post.
The suspect’s father has been identified as Peter J. Virzi, a prominent cardiologist affiliated with Mt. Sinai Doctors in Manhattan.
Leon’s alleged killer was a “trusted friend” of the babies’ parents, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts. (pictured: Baby Lion just after his birth in May 2024)
‘We are doing a deep investigation. He has no criminal record. We will do everything we can to give you a fair hearing in court. This is a case with a dead child and a young woman in jail. “There should be no speculation about this before the case comes to court,” he added.
TO GoFundMe created for the devastated couple says Leon was “tragically murdered in horrific circumstances” and that a “trusted family friend” has been arrested.
‘Leon will always be remembered as a happy, smiling, goofy baby. “His tragic and untimely death has deeply impacted the Pittsburgh community,” the donation page said.
Photos taken just days before the tragedy showed the bright-eyed twins side by side in onesies with their names embroidered.
As of Sunday morning, the page has raised more than $55,000 for the bereaved parents and their surviving son.
A GoFundMe set up for the devastated couple says Leon was “tragically murdered in horrific circumstances” and that a “trusted family friend” has been arrested. (in the photo: the twins with their parents)
Virzi is being held without bond at the Allegheny County Jail and faces a preliminary hearing on June 28.
The accused killer continued to care for little Leon while his parents were at UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh with his twin, Ari, after Virzi said she saw an injury in his groin area, police said.
She told police she had gone to the kitchen to get Katz a bottle when she suddenly heard screaming.
When she returned, she said the baby had fallen out of her bouncer. She then called 911 around 11:17 p.m.
“The injuries sustained by both (twins) are consistent with having been suffered as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are neither natural nor accidental,” a doctor told investigators, according to court documents.
Virzi is being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail and He faces a preliminary hearing on June 28.
Her LinkedIn profile indicates that she is a fifth-year clinical psychology candidate in the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program.
The baby’s murder occurred while his father was celebrating Father’s Day, which also coincided with the first wedding anniversary of the children’s parents.
Virzi told police he was giving Katz a bottle when he heard screams and saw that he had fallen out of a hammock.
His professional biography said that his “research aims to explore the complex interplay between psychological factors, such as depression, stress, negative affect, and trauma, and critical health outcomes and behaviors, such as metabolic syndrome, diseases heart conditions, obesity, eating behavior, and exercise.’
She added, “I am particularly interested in exploring these relationships within female and trauma-exposed populations.”
“By focusing on these relationships, my research aims to shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities for intervention within these vulnerable groups.”
The babies’ mother previously interacted with Virzi on X, as Roberts referred to her “incredible work” in January 2022.
In May 2021, Roberts said: ‘You’re going to do an AMAZING job! I can’t wait to hear your experience!’