The first pictures of infant twins Leon and Ari Katz in Pittsburgh have recently surfaced, showing the smiling faces of the 6-week-old babies. Tragically, Leon passed away on Father’s Day allegedly at the hands of a family friend and California PhD student, Nicole Virzi. The couple, Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts, are devastated by the loss, with friends describing it as an “unbearable loss”. A GoFundMe page was set up for the couple to help cover expenses, and it has already raised over $50,000.
The couple had left Leon in Virzi’s care while taking Ari to the hospital due to a mysterious injury to his genitals. Virzi claimed that Leon had fallen out of a bouncer chair while she was getting a bottle. However, doctors found the injuries to be consistent with child abuse, leading to Virzi’s arrest for homicide, child endangerment, and aggravated assault. Virzi denied the allegations and is currently being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail.
Nicole Virzi is a fifth-year PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology at SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program. She also has accused of abusing Ari, the other twin. The family, now dealing with significant financial burdens, is seeking help to cover expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, essential baby supplies, and relocation costs. Friends have set up the GoFundMe page to collect donations to support the family during this tragic time.
Virzi’s attorney, David Shrager, has maintained her innocence, stating that she is a loving person and a friend to the family. He points out her lack of criminal history and hopes to present their case in court. Ethan and Savannah, devastated by the loss of their baby son Leon, are facing the difficult aftermath of these tragic events. Savannah Roberts, the mother of the twins, is also a fifth-year PhD student in Clinical and Developmental Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh.
Leon is remembered as a happy, smiley, and goofy baby boy by those who knew him. The tragic events of his death on Father’s Day have deeply impacted the Pittsburgh community. As they navigate this difficult time, the family grapples with the loss of their beloved son, legal proceedings against Virzi, and significant financial challenges. The support from friends and donations from the community provide some relief as they mourn the innocence and joy of the twins that were taken from them too soon.
