{"id":2224609,"date":"2026-10-28T16:36:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2224609"},"modified":"2026-10-28T16:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:36:12","slug":"uc-san-diego-phd-student-pleads-guilty-to-beating-6-week-old-child-to-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2224609","title":{"rendered":"UC San Diego PhD Student Pleads Guilty to Beating 6-Week-Old Child to Death"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/ec\/16by9\/2026\/10\/28\/ecea798007ec4b4e87c08caac02c1a33_xl.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"article article--permalink \">\n<header class=\"article__header\">\n<h1 class=\"article__header--headline-title\">UC San Diego PhD Student Pleads Guilty to Beating 6-Week-Old Child to Death<\/h1>\n<h2 class=\"article__header--headline-fragments\"><span class=\"article__header--hf1 text-uppercase h3\">UCSD PhD Student<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf2 text-uppercase h1\">Pleads Guilty to Killing 6-Week-Old<\/span><span class=\"article__header--hf3 text-titlecase h2\">&#8230; Allegedly Admitted She Felt Compelled to Hurt Kids<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"social-media-container\" role=\"region\">\n<ul class=\"social social--sm\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\">\n<li class=\"social-item\"><\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tmz.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"google-preferred-btn js-track-link\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"google-preferred-btn__icon\" src=\"https:\/\/static.tmz.com\/tmz-web\/img\/article\/google-icon.svg\" alt=\"Google\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"google-preferred-btn__title\">Add TMZ on Google<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline\">By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/pages\/about\/\">TMZ Staff<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"date-wrapper\">\n                                                                        Published <time class=\"published-datetime\" datetime=\"2026-10-28T09:36:12-07:00\"><br \/>\n                              October 28, 2026<br \/>\n                            9:36 AM PDT<\/time><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"article__blocks clearfix\">\n<section id=\"cb-a0ed0952327d164522591f4a02c3c917\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  canvas-block-is-first \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20261028_ecea798007ec4b4e87c08caac02c1a33\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;image&quot;}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/ec\/4by3\/2026\/10\/28\/ecea798007ec4b4e87c08caac02c1a33_md.jpg\" alt=\"nicole virzi Leon Katz GoFundMe SDSU\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">@SDSU\/GoFundMe<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-aebcdadd25f1d3f6289d7afc9658a936\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p><strong>Nicole Virzi<\/strong>, a UC San Diego student who was just weeks away from completing her PhD when she was arrested, just pled guilty to beating a 6-week-old child to death.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-67fd18dfb55132a9ce6f345872df639e\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>The 32-year-old PhD student pled guilty to third-degree criminal homicide for killing <strong>Leon Katz<\/strong> back in 2024. The maximum sentence is reportedly 40 years.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-f829b02d9b95be21956d35543a21dd6c\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20261028_40789341563a4972ad9492f9c1caa472\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;image&quot;}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/40\/4by3\/2026\/10\/28\/40789341563a4972ad9492f9c1caa472_md.jpg\" alt=\"Ethan Katz and Savannah Roberts GoFundMe\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">GoFundMe<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-220c5f9b49885c688a74d83c5c23d2a6\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>Leon&#8217;s mother, <strong>Savannah Roberts<\/strong>, spoke in court after Virzi pled guilty &#8230; saying, &#8220;[This has] eradicated my sense of safety across every domain of my life. I will never fully understand the torture and murder that Nicole inflicted on my twins.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-767785044eeef51b37cdc26690fa0137\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>She added, &#8220;I&#8217;ve learned that the bogeyman is real and monsters really do live under the bed.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-70c0c78e180bdf75461bc3c2f4e7cabd\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>Virzi and Roberts met while working as research coordinators in Drexel University&#8217;s graduate psychology department in Philadelphia, PA. The two became close friends &#8230; with Virzi even serving as Roberts&#8217; maid of honor.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-19968f1994b925df126fc54916ac96cf\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>In June 2024, Virzi went to visit Roberts in Pittsburgh. According to cops, Virzi claimed she saw blood on <strong>Ari Roberts<\/strong>&#8216; groin. Ari is Leon&#8217;s twin brother, who is still alive.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-42663146a9f185b639a80959cf4aebd3\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-image-block canvas-image-block-permalink canvas-image-block--default  \">\n<div class=\"image-block\"><a class=\"js-click-image js-track-link image-lightbox-preview\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:image-asset:image_jpg_20261028_4c6adfcd771f4a318a12eb587835b9bc\" data-container-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;image&quot;}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"img-wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/4c\/4by3\/2026\/10\/28\/4c6adfcd771f4a318a12eb587835b9bc_md.jpg\" alt=\"nicole virzi SDSU\" width=\"728\" height=\"546\" class=\"img-fluid image-block__img-fluid img-aspect-auto\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"image-block__card-footer\"><span class=\"media-credit image-block__media-credit\">@SDSU<\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-048fa508f8a2141ac1ea996a2bb77247\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>While Roberts and her husband went to the hospital, Virzi watched Leon &#8230; and claimed he fell out of his baby bouncer and hit his head before she called 911. He was pronounced dead a few hours later.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-ebdb4b2f34642ac577b785d4942e0f0f\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>An autopsy reportedly determined the injuries were caused by blunt force trauma and were consistent with child abuse. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"cb-68d8e6e35cb432b4a3582c49f3555a4f\" class=\"canvas-block canvas-block-permalink canvas-text-block canvas-text-block-permalink canvas-text-block--default  canvas-block-is-last \" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;permalink&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;text_block&quot;}\">\n<p>Virzi was arrested and interrogated by cops &#8230; during which prosecutors say she admitted to killing Leon and said, &#8220;From a very, very young age, I don&#8217;t know what it is, but I always had this urge &#8211; almost like a compulsion I can&#8217;t control &#8211; to hurt kids.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12\">\n<ul class=\"social social--permalink\">\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--facebook js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/28\/phd-student-pleads-guilty-to-beating-infant-to-death\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;facebook-footer&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:1}\"><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><a class=\"btn social__btn social__btn--x js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/28\/phd-student-pleads-guilty-to-beating-infant-to-death\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;twitter-footer&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:2}\"><br \/>\n                Share<span class=\"social__hide-sm\"> on X<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"social__item social__item--3items\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"related-articles\">\n<header class=\"card-section-header related-articles__card-section-header\">\n<h3 class=\"card-section-title related-articles__card-section-title\">\n              Related articles<br \/>\n            <\/h3>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"row related-articles__row\">\n<div class=\"col related-articles__col\">\n<article class=\"related-articles__card\"><a class=\"related-articles__card-link js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/27\/woman-says-escaped-inmate-jacob-allen-morley-is-dangerous\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;related-article&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:1}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-img ratio\">\n<div class=\"ratio-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/9c\/16by9\/2026\/10\/28\/9c92211743ba4eb19d955c14d97e5282_xs.jpg\" alt=\"jacob allen morely 2\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-body\">\n<h4 class=\"related-articles__card-title\">\n                        Escaped Inmate Jacob Allen Morley: Woman Who Grew Up With Him Says He&#8217;s Dangerous<br \/>\n                      <\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col related-articles__col\">\n<article class=\"related-articles__card\"><a class=\"related-articles__card-link js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/27\/jacob-allen-morley-murder-victim-family-did-not-know-about-escape\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;related-article&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:2}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-img ratio\">\n<div class=\"ratio-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/d8\/16by9\/2026\/10\/27\/d8aa3dc4e2f44ddbaaf8408613b225e3_xs.jpg\" alt=\"Jacob Morley 1\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-body\">\n<h4 class=\"related-articles__card-title\">\n                        Escaped Tennessee Murderer: Victim&#8217;s Family Has Not Been Contacted By Law Enforcement<br \/>\n                      <\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col related-articles__col\">\n<article class=\"related-articles__card\"><a class=\"related-articles__card-link js-track-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2026\/10\/26\/allan-avery-dead\/\" data-node-ref=\"tmz:article:6ab4e320-0e76-46eb-9d01-d65fc58d2c37\" data-context=\"{&quot;section&quot;:&quot;main&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;related-article&quot;,&quot;pos&quot;:3}\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-img ratio\">\n<div class=\"ratio-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/8b\/16by9\/2026\/10\/26\/8b467a9bec15470183b12c725ca5a487_xs.jpg\" alt=\"steven avery and dad allan avery ap insta 1\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles__card-body\">\n<h4 class=\"related-articles__card-title\">\n                        Allan Avery, Father of &#8216;Making A Murderer&#8217; 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src=&#8221;https:\/\/imagez.tmz.com\/image\/ec\/16by9\/2026\/10\/28\/ecea798007ec4b4e87c08caac02c1a33_xl.jpg&#8221;] UC San Diego PhD Student Pleads Guilty to Beating 6-Week-Old Child to Death UCSD PhD StudentPleads Guilty to Killing 6-Week-Old&#8230; Allegedly Admitted She Felt Compelled to Hurt Kids Add TMZ on Google By TMZ Staff Published October 28, 2026 9:36 AM PDT @SDSU\/GoFundMe Nicole Virzi, a UC San Diego student who was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,77],"class_list":["post-2224609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tmz-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2224609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2224609"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2224609\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2224609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2224609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2224609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}