TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains information about suicide, which may be triggering to some.
The town of Enoch, Utah, has been rocked by the news of a family's tragic death this week. Michael Haight, 42, and Tausha Haight, 40, their five children 4 to 17 years old, and Tausha's mother, Gail Earl, 78, were shot to death inside the family's home. Rob Dotson, Enoch City manager, addressed the public in a press conference Wednesday, noting there was no threat to the community.
It appears that Michael Haight killed his family and then turned the gun on himself in a murder-suicide that some speculate could have been triggered by Tausha Haight filing for a divorce.
Police found the family members dead while performing a welfare check.
During the press conference, Dotson explained that authorities were summoned to the family's home for a welfare check. According to Dotson, Tausha Haight had an appointment earlier in the week and failed to show up, signaling something might be wrong. The person with whom she had the meeting contacted the police to check on the family. City officials declined to identify who made the call.
Additionally, someone filed a missing person's report in Cedars City, Utah, where Michael Haight worked when he did not report to the office, Dotson explained. When officials transferred the missing person's report to Enoch City Police, they prioritized finding the entire family.
Police arrived at the home just after 4 p.m. Wednesday and found everyone deceased.
Tausha Haight had recently filed for divorce.
Dotson mentioned in the press conference that according to court documents, Tausha Haight had recently filed for divorce from her husband, but he said it was too soon to determine whether that was the motive behind the crimes.
James Park, an attorney representing Tausha Haight in the divorce proceedings, said she was not fearful of her husband or that he would physically hurt her, the Associated Press reported. Park said she was "an incredibly nice lady," but he had only met with her twice before she was killed.
There were prior investigations involving the family.
Enoch City Police Chief Jackson Ames said in the news conference that authorities had previous contact with the Haights. "We had been involved in some investigations with the family a couple years prior, he said. "We were familiar with the family."
He declined to elaborate on what prompted the investigations. According to KUTV, no court documents pertaining to the family had been filed in recent years.
The Haights were active members of the community.
Enoch City Mayor Geoffrey Chesnut approached the microphone during the press conference and, visibly shaken, addressed the media. He said Tausha Haight and other family members had been seen at a church function the night before the killings. Chesnut added that the Haights were his neighbors and that their children were friends.
"It's not too often something like this hits pretty close to home. In fact, the Haights were my neighbors. The youngest children played in my yard with my sons," Chesnut said. "This is a tremendous blow to many, many families who have spent many, many nights with these individuals who are now gone."
According to the AP, the couple were married in a church temple in 2003, and Michael Haight worked as an insurance agent.
Family and friends took to social media to share their thoughts.
Alexis Hunter Graff posted a message on Facebook, identifying the victims as her family. She spoke highly of "Aunt Tausha" and her grandmother and posted a sweet message to the Haight children. The post reads, in part, as follows:
"The only thing giving me hope is that you are all together, safe and wrapped in the arms of the savior. You can now have the peace you sought after in this life. Until we meet again. You never think this devastation will happen to you or your family. Please hold your loved ones and express your love to them. We are all only here for a short time."
Friends and family echoed her sentiments.
"Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family members. May they all rest in peace. Their souls are in Gods hands. Please keep us posted if an assistance burial fund is started," someone wrote on the page.
"I can't even imagine, I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through. Lots of love and prayers. You'll see them again someday," another person shared.
The story caught the attention of the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement Thursday regarding the tragedy. The statement said President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are mourning the lives lost in the alleged murder-suicide.
"Too many Americans have lost loved ones or had their lives forever changed) due to gun violence, and gun violence remains the leading cause of death for children in America. Less than one month after we marked 10 years since the Sandy Hook tragedy, another mass shooting has claimed the lives of five more children in Enoch City," the statement reads.
The city manager said the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities said there is no further information to release as there is still much to investigate. At the end of the press conference, Dotson implored the community for help.
"If you are a praying person, pray for law enforcement. It impacts them. Pray for the family," the statement continues. "If you are not a religious person, care for your family too. Stand with your family. Support them. Love them. Just like we love each other, and we love this family."
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women's shelter (domesticshelters.org).
