The relationship between an alleged and the grieving mother has been made following the arrest of a PhD student. Nicole Virzi, a fifth year PhD candidate at the San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, had known Savannah Roberts, the mother of six-week-old Leon Katz. Virzi stands accused of murdering Leon while Savannah and husband Ethan Katz rushed to the hospital with the six-week-old's twin sibling.
The daughter of prominent Manhattan cardiologist Peter J. Virzi stands accused of murder and was charged in connection to the death of the six-week-old child. She plans to plead not guilty, according to her attorney.
A link between Virzi and Savannah has since been made. The 29-year-old PhD student is believed to have been a close family friend of Savannah and would babysit for the couple. It is believed Virzi had been babysitting Leon while Ethan and Savannah took their other child, Ari, to the hospital after finding mysterious injuries to his genitals.
Doctors found the injuries were "consistent with having been sustained as a result of child abuse, as these are inflicted injuries that are not natural and not accidental." A GoFundMe established to help the family as they grieve the loss of their son described Virzi as a "trusted family friend". It read: "Leon Katz, a beautiful and healthy six-week old baby boy, was tragically killed under horrific circumstances on June 16, 2024.
First-time parents Savannah and Ethan joyfully welco.