The Tragic Haight Family Murders: A Devastating Familicide in Enoch, Utah

On January 4, 2023, a mass shooting took place in Enoch, Utah, where eight members of the Haight family were fatally shot in their home. The victims included three adults and five children, ranging in age from 4 to 17 years old. The perpetrator was identified as 42-year-old Michael Haight, who was also found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Domestic Abuse Allegations and Divorce Proceedings

Prior to the tragic incident, there were indications of domestic abuse within the Haight family. Michael Haight had been investigated by the Enoch Police Department in 2020 following allegations made by his eldest daughter, Macie. Macie reported instances of assault and expressed fear for her safety. Despite these allegations, the County Attorney's office found insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.

According to reports, Macie informed the police that her father had exhibited violent behavior over the past three years. She stated that he had choked her and she feared that his attacks would escalate, even expressing a strong fear of him potentially causing her harm or even killing her. On the other hand, Michael, when questioned by the investigating officer, referred to his 14-year-old daughter as being "mouthy".

He also mentioned that he had checked his wife's phone and tablet to ensure that she had not spoken negatively about their family to anyone. Tausha Haight, in her statement to the officer, believed that filing charges against Michael was unnecessary, and she hoped that this incident would serve as a wake-up call for him.

The officer reassured Tausha that there was no indication of any violent behavior on Michael's part. When asked about the domestic violence allegations following the tragic events, the County Attorney's office stated that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.

Two weeks before the murders, Tausha Haight, Michael's wife, had initiated divorce proceedings.

Days before the shooting, Tausha had reportedly told her family that Michael had removed all guns from the family home.

The Shooting

On the day of the incident, a family friend requested a welfare check after Tausha Haight missed an appointment.

At 4:00 p.m. on January 4, the police visited the family's residence to perform a welfare check. During the check, they made a tragic discovery: eight family members had been killed by gunshots.

The deceased individuals were identified as Michael Haight, 42 years old, his wife Tausha Haight, 40 years old, Tausha's mother Gail Earl, 78 years old, and their five children: a 17-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl, a 7-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, and a 4-year-old boy. The welfare check was prompted by a concerned family friend who had noticed Tausha's absence from an appointment earlier that day.

After conducting their investigation, the authorities concluded that Michael Haight was responsible for the murders. He had taken his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after fatally shooting his family members.

Following the shooting, the family members of the victims issued a statement expressing their heartfelt pain. They encouraged everyone to seek solace in God during this difficult time, commended the exceptional efforts of the first responders, and urged against exploiting the situation for political purposes. They clarified that all protective measures had been previously removed from the home. Additionally, the statement mentioned the creation of a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral arrangements and other expenses.

The victims were laid to rest in a collective ceremony at La Verkin City Cemetery on January 13, 2023. It was reported that during the service, Michael's name was not mentioned, and he had a separate private funeral.

After the funeral, another statement was issued by the family of Tausha and Gail. They expressed that they harbor no ill feelings towards the Haight family in the aftermath of the tragic incident.