Michael Haight Utah Family Suicide — Death Report, Suicide Note & Body Camera Footage
ENOOCH, Utah — The rural community of Enoch, Utah, continues to grapple with shock and sadness nearly three years after the tragic murder–suicide involving Michael Haight that claimed the lives of his wife, mother-in-law, and five children before he took his own life on January 4, 2023. The final investigative report and accompanying body camera footage released by law enforcement shed light on the disturbing events that unfolded in the Haight family home and the suicide note left by Michael Haight. (Wikipedia)
According to official records and the comprehensive police report, 42-year-old Michael Haight shot and killed seven members of his own family inside their residence on 4923 North Albert Drive in Enoch, a small Iron County city in southern Utah, before dying by suicide. (Wikipedia) Authorities determined that Haight, his estranged wife 40-year-old Tausha Haight, Tausha’s 78-year-old mother Gail Earl, and their five children — ages ranging from 4 to 17 — were all found with fatal gunshot wounds during a welfare check by Enoch police. (Wikipedia)
Local law enforcement initially entered the home with body-worn camera footage capturing the scene as officers found the victims throughout the residence. The released footage, heavily redacted to protect sensitive material, shows the somber reality inside the house, confirming the tragic outcome of the incident. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
Prior to the murders, Haight had been investigated for domestic and child abuse allegations in 2020, but no charges were filed. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office and Enoch Police Department confirmed that Haight later killed his family and himself, concluding a violent chain of events that began weeks after his wife filed for divorce. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
In the 57-page official report, investigators included a suicide note left by Haight. In that note, he made unfounded claims about his wife and expressed self-justifications for his actions. However, investigators noted that Haight’s claims were inconsistent with the overall depiction of him as a controlling and abusive partner. (https://www.wwnytv.com)
The divorce proceeding had begun in late December 2022, after Tausha Haight filed for dissolution of their marriage approximately two weeks before the killings. The report highlights that the couple had faced ongoing tensions and that neighbors became increasingly worried about the family’s welfare in the weeks leading up to the incident. (Wikipedia)
The community only became aware of the full scope of the tragedy after concerned neighbors and friends requested welfare checks when the family missed appointments and ceased responding to communications. Police and emergency responders were alerted and subsequently discovered all eight family members deceased inside the home. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
The deaths of the Haight family have left a lasting imprint on Enoch and surrounding areas. The town of roughly 8,000 residents continues to mourn, with many remembering the Haights as an active family in the local community. Public officials, including city leaders and local educators, expressed sorrow at the loss of life and emphasized the emotional toll such violence has on a close-knit community. (Wikipedia)
Domestic violence advocates, law enforcement, and social services have cited the Haight family incident as a stark reminder of the critical need for awareness, early intervention, and support systems for families experiencing crisis. The case has sparked discussions on access to mental health care, patterns of familial abuse, and the importance of community vigilance in identifying and addressing red flags before they escalate. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
The bodies of the victims were laid to rest following funerals that brought together relatives, neighbors, and community members to honor their memories. Meanwhile, the release of body camera footage and the full police investigation continues to provide insight into the tragic sequence of events, even as unanswered questions linger. (FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU))
The Enoch community remains united in remembrance of the Haight family and committed to learning from this devastating event in hopes of preventing similar tragedies in the future.
