Ph.D. Student Who Admitted to Hurting Twin Babies Sentenced to Up to 80 Years in Prison

A trusted family friend, two six-week-old twins and a night that ended in unimaginable tragedy. A California doctoral student has been sentenced to decades behind bars after admitting to killing her best friend’s infant son and injuring his twin brother in a case that left a young family facing a lifetime of grief.

Nicole Virzi, 32, was sentenced to 35 to 80 years in prison on October 28, 2026, after pleading guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children, according to court reports cited by PEOPLE. The clinical psychology Ph.D. student had been visiting her friends in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in June 2024 when the incident occurred. The victim, six-week-old Leon Katz, died after suffering multiple skull fractures, while his twin brother, Ari, survived.

A Night of Trust That Turned Into a Nightmare

Leon and Ari were only six weeks old when their parents, Savannah Roberts and Ethan Katz, found themselves relying on a close friend for help. According to reports, Virzi had repeatedly offered to babysit the twins, although the couple had previously declined her offers.

On June 15, 2024, the situation took a disturbing turn when Virzi alerted the parents to injuries on Ari’s lower body. Roberts and Katz took the baby to the hospital to have him examined. While they were away, Leon remained in Virzi’s care, despite arrangements for someone else to watch him.

Later that night, at approximately 11:17 p.m., Virzi called emergency services, reporting that Leon was having trouble breathing and had developed a lump on his head. The infant was rushed to the hospital, but his injuries proved fatal. He died early the following morning.

Medical examinations revealed that Leon had suffered multiple skull fractures. Investigators subsequently determined that the injuries to both babies were consistent with abuse rather than an accident, according to reports cited by PEOPLE.

Her Initial Explanation Changed During the Investigation

Virzi initially told investigators that she had placed Leon in a baby seat before falling asleep. She claimed she later awoke to find him crying on the floor.

However, during questioning, she admitted to shaking the infant, dropping him and flipping him onto a tiled bathroom floor, according to court reports. She also told investigators that she had experienced urges to hurt children for years, describing them as compulsions she struggled to control.

Virzi reportedly said she had become angry during her visit because she felt her friends were treating her like a nanny. Investigators examined her statements as part of the case, which ultimately resulted in her guilty plea.

Her defense team had previously challenged the admissibility of her statements to police, arguing that she had been questioned for hours while exhausted and without sufficient food or sleep. A judge rejected that challenge, ruling that her statements had been made knowingly and voluntarily, according to TribLive.

A Mother’s Grief That No Sentence Can Erase

For Leon’s parents, the legal proceedings could never undo the loss of their son. Roberts described the devastating impact of his death in a victim-impact statement, recalling how Virzi had held Leon peacefully before the tragedy.

The memory left her struggling to comprehend how someone she had trusted could become responsible for such a devastating outcome. Roberts also rejected the suggestion that Virzi’s reported compulsions excused her actions.

In the hours surrounding Leon’s death, Roberts recalled holding her dying baby and repeatedly telling him that he was loved. Those words became part of a memory no parent should ever have to carry.

Leon was affectionately known within his family as their “Buddha Baby,” a nickname inspired by his round appearance and peaceful expression while drinking from a bottle. His grandfather, Larry Katz, later expressed the heartbreak of never having the chance to see his grandson smile.

Although Ari survived, his continued growth brings mixed emotions for his parents. Every new milestone is a reminder of the twin brother who should have been there beside him, sharing the same childhood experiences.

Why the Case Ended With a Guilty Plea

Virzi had faced the possibility of a death sentence had she been convicted of first-degree murder. Instead, the plea agreement allowed Leon’s parents to avoid a public trial that prosecutors believed could force them to relive the details of their son’s death.

Deputy District Attorney Emma Schoedel told the court that prosecutors had considered the family’s wishes in resolving the case. The goal was to ensure Virzi would spend most of her life in prison without putting Leon’s loved ones through the ordeal of a full trial.

At sentencing, Virzi chose not to address the court directly. Her attorney said she understood that no words could undo the harm caused to the family and revealed that Virzi had written them a letter, which they could decide whether to read.

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office said Virzi had exploited a position of trust to place herself in a position to commit the crimes. The family, meanwhile, asked for privacy as they continued to cope with their loss.

Virzi’s sentence of 35 to 80 years marks the conclusion of a major chapter in the criminal case. But for Leon’s parents and relatives, the consequences will extend far beyond the courtroom. Their son will never grow up alongside his twin brother, and the future they imagined for both children has been permanently changed.

Source: PEOPLE