Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Killing Best Friend’s Newborn Son, Sentenced to 35 to 80 Years

Nicole Virzi, 32, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to third-degree murder and other charges in the 2024 death of six-week-old Leon Katz, her best friend’s son. Virzi was visiting longtime friend Savannah Roberts in Pittsburgh to help with newborn twins Leon and Ari. An autopsy found Leon died of blunt force trauma to the head, and investigators ruled out a fall from a baby bouncer. Detectives also determined that twin brother Ari had been injured. Virzi was sentenced to 35 to 80 years in prison, avoiding a potential death penalty trial.