Killing of the Haight Family

On January 4, 2023, a familicide occurred in Enoch, Utah, when eight members of a single family were found fatally shot in their home. Police arrived at the residence at approximately 4:00 p.m. to conduct a welfare check, requested by a family friend after Tausha Haight missed an appointment earlier that day. Officers found eight family members deceased from gunshot wounds.

The victims were identified as Michael Haight, 42; his wife Tausha Haight, 40; her mother Gail Earl, 78; and five children: Macie (17), Brilee (12), twins Ammon and Sienna (7), and Gavin (4). Authorities determined that Michael Haight was the perpetrator, having fatally shot his family members before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Michael Haight had previously been investigated by the Enoch Police Department in 2020 following domestic abuse allegations made by his eldest daughter, Macie, then 14. Macie reportedly told police that her father had become assaultive over the preceding three years, that he had choked her, and that she feared his behavior would escalate to the point of killing her. Michael told the investigating officer at the time that his daughter was "mouthy," and stated he had reviewed his wife's phone and tablet to ensure she had not spoken negatively about the family to others. Tausha Haight told the officer that she did not believe filing charges was necessary and expected the incident would serve as a "wake-up call" for Michael. The officer reportedly told Tausha there was no indication of likely violent behavior from Michael. Following the killings, the County Attorney's office stated it had found "insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges" at the time of the 2020 investigation.

Tausha Haight had filed for divorce from Michael two weeks before the shooting. Family members reported that days before the killings, Tausha had told relatives that Michael had removed all firearms from the family home.

In the aftermath, family members of the victims released a statement inviting others to turn to their faith, thanking first responders, and asking that the tragedy not be used to advance political agendas, noting that firearms had reportedly been removed from the home prior to the shooting. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral costs. The victims were buried together in a single service at La Verkin City Cemetery on January 13, 2023; reports indicated Michael Haight's name was not mentioned during the service, and he received a separate, private funeral. A subsequent statement from Tausha and Gail's family expressed no ill will toward the Haight family. An obituary describing Haight in favorable terms drew public criticism and was later removed. State and local officials offered condolences, and the local school district activated a mobile crisis response team to support students and families.