Michael Haight

Michael Haight was an American man who lived in Enoch, Utah, a small community in Iron County. He was married to Tausha Haight, and together they had five children. Tausha’s mother, Gail Earl, also resided with the family at the time of the killings.

Public records and reporting indicate that Michael Haight had prior contact with law enforcement related to domestic issues. In 2020, the Enoch Police Department investigated allegations of domestic abuse made by the couple’s eldest daughter, Macie Haight, who was fourteen years old at the time. According to police documentation, Macie stated that her father had become physically assaultive over several years, including allegations that he had choked her. She expressed fear that the violence would escalate and that he might kill her.

During the investigation, Michael Haight denied the allegations, characterizing his daughter’s behavior as disrespectful. He told investigators that he monitored his wife’s phone and tablet to ensure she was not speaking negatively about the family to others. Tausha Haight declined to pursue criminal charges at that time, stating that she believed the police involvement would serve as a corrective measure. The investigating officer later stated that there was no immediate indication of violent escalation, and the Iron County Attorney’s Office determined there was insufficient evidence to file charges.

In December 2022, approximately two weeks before the killings, Tausha Haight formally initiated divorce proceedings against Michael Haight. In the days before her death, Tausha reportedly told relatives that Michael had removed firearms from the home, a statement that later became a point of discussion following the investigation.

On January 4, 2023, authorities in Enoch, Utah, were asked to conduct a welfare check at the Haight family residence after Tausha Haight failed to attend a scheduled appointment earlier that afternoon. Officers arrived at the home at approximately 4:00 p.m. and discovered eight individuals deceased, all of whom had sustained gunshot wounds.

The victims were identified as Michael Haight (42), his wife Tausha Haight (40), Tausha’s mother Gail Earl (78), and the couple’s five children: Macie (17), Brilee (12), Ammon (7), Sienna (7), and Gavin (4). Investigators determined that Michael Haight fatally shot the seven other family members before taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Law enforcement officials concluded that the killings occurred inside the family home and that there was no evidence of forced entry or involvement by any outside individuals. The case was classified as a familicide, with Michael Haight identified as the sole perpetrator.

Following the discovery of the bodies, authorities revisited the 2020 domestic violence investigation. The Iron County Attorney’s Office stated that the earlier case had not met the evidentiary threshold required for prosecution at the time. Officials also confirmed that Tausha Haight had recently begun divorce proceedings, though no court hearings had yet taken place.

Michael Haight died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Family members of the victims released a public statement expressing gratitude toward first responders and encouraging community members to seek comfort through faith. They also requested that the tragedy not be used for political purposes and stated that firearms had previously been removed from the home. A fundraising campaign was established to assist with funeral and related expenses.

A joint funeral service for the victims was held on January 13, 2023, at La Verkin City Cemetery. Michael Haight was not mentioned during the service and was buried separately in a private ceremony.

In the days following the shootings, counselors, therapists, and crisis response teams were made available to the community. The local school district activated its mobile crisis response resources to support students and families affected by the incident. State and local officials issued public statements offering condolences.

An obituary that portrayed Michael Haight positively circulated briefly online but was later removed after public criticism.