The PhD pupil accused of murdering her mates’ new child child and injuring his twin brother is the daughter of a distinguished NYC heart specialist.
Nicole Virzi, 29, is charged with the homicide of six-and-a-half-week outdated Leon Katz at his residence in Pittsburgh, on what was his dad’s first Father’s Day — and his mother and father’ first marriage ceremony anniversary.
Her father, Peter J Virzi, is a high heart specialist affiliated with Mt. Sinai Medical doctors in Manhattan and is licensed by the American Board of Inside Medication.
Virzi, who holds a graduate diploma in medical psychology from San Diego State, was a ‘trusted pal’ of the infants’ mother and father Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts.
Police say she allegedly killed the toddler whereas they had been on the hospital along with his twin brother Ari, who they allege Virzi additionally assaulted.
Six-month-old Leon Katz (left) was killed at his residence in Pittsburgh on Father’s Day. His twin brother, Ari (proper), was injured. Nicole Virzi, 29, was charged for the newborn’s homicide
Virzi (pictured) has additionally been accused of bodily abusing Ari, who was on the hospital along with his mother and father when she allegedly murdered his brother
‘I’ve no phrases. I’m completely shocked. I had no concept,’ a colleague and pal of Virzi instructed the New York Publish.
The pal stated Virzi ‘had some interpersonal points,’ however they didn’t know her to be violent.
‘I’d say she was slightly inflexible. She was good. However very pushed and motivated.’
DailyMail.com contacted the suspect’s father for remark however didn’t get a response.
Virzi was charged with murder, baby endangerment, and aggravated assault however denies any wrongdoing.
Her legal professional, David Shrager, has maintained Virzi’s innocence and stated she plans to plead not responsible.
‘She is clearly devastated. She’s extremely distraught and deeply unhappy. She stated it was nothing intentional,’ Shrager instructed The Publish.
The suspects father has been recognized as Peter J Virzi, a high heart specialist affiliated with Mt. Sinai Medical doctors in Manhattan
Leon’s alleged killer was a ‘trusted pal’ of the infants’ mother and father Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts. (pictured: Child Leon simply after his delivery in Could 2024)
‘We’re doing a deep investigation. She has no prison historical past. We’ll do our greatest to present her a good listening to in courtroom. This can be a case with a useless baby and a younger girl in jail. It shouldn’t be speculated on earlier than the case goes to courtroom,’ he added.
A GoFundMe arrange for the devastated couple says Leon was ‘tragically killed underneath horrific circumstances’ and {that a} ‘trusted household pal’ has been arrested.
‘Leon will at all times be remembered as a cheerful, smiley, goofy child boy. His premature and tragic loss of life has deeply impacted the Pittsburgh group,’ the donation web page stated.
Footage taken simply days earlier than the tragedy confirmed the bright-eyed twins facet by facet in onesies with their names embroidered on them.
As of Sunday morning, the web page has raised greater than $55,000 for the heartbroken mother and father and their surviving son.
A GoFundMe arrange for the devastated couple says Leon was ‘tragically killed underneath horrific circumstances’ and {that a} ‘trusted household pal’ has been arrested. (pictured: the dual boys with their mother and father)
Virzi is being held with out bail on the Allegheny County Jail and faces a preliminary listening to on June 28
The accused killer was persevering with to babysit tiny Leon whereas his mother and father had been at UPMC Kids’s Hospital of Pittsburgh along with his twin, Ari, after Virzi stated she noticed an harm on his groin space, police stated.
She instructed cops that she had gone into the kitchen to get Katz a bottle when she instantly heard screaming.
When she returned she stated the newborn had fallen out of his bouncer chair. She then known as 911 round 11.17pm.
‘The accidents sustained by each (twins are) per having been sustained because of baby abuse, as these are inflicted accidents that aren’t pure and never unintended,’ a physician instructed investigators, in response to courtroom filings.
Virzi is being held with out bail on the Allegheny County Jail and faces a preliminary listening to on June 28.
Her LinkedIn profile signifies she is a fifth-year medical psychology candidate on the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program.
The child’s killing got here as their dad celebrated his father’s day, which additionally fell on the boys’ mother and father’ first marriage ceremony anniversary
Virzi instructed cops that she was getting Katz a bottle when she heard screaming and noticed he had fallen out of a bouncer
Her skilled bio stated that her ‘analysis goals to discover the advanced interaction between psychological elements—akin to despair, stress, unfavourable have an effect on, and trauma— and demanding well being outcomes and behaviors— akin to metabolic syndrome, coronary heart illness, weight problems, consuming habits, and train.’
She added: ‘I’m significantly all in favour of exploring these relationships inside feminine and trauma-exposed populations.’
‘By concentrating on these relationships, my analysis goals to make clear the distinctive challenges and alternatives for intervention inside these weak teams.’
The infants’ mom beforehand interacted with Virzi on X, as Roberts referred to her ‘unbelievable work’ in January 2022.
In Could 2021, Roberts stated: ‘You’ll do an AMAZING job! I am unable to wait to listen to about your expertise!’
