A Guy Shoots And Kills His Wife, 5 Children, And Mother-in-law In Southern Utah

A Guy Shoots And Kills His Wife, 5 Children, And Mother-in-law In Southern Utah: Officials in Enoch say they may never know why a man shot and killed his wife, three daughters, two sons, and his mother-in-law before killing himself. “We don’t know what caused this. “Most likely, no one will ever know what was going through the minds of these people,” said Rob Dotson, the city manager of Enoch.

On Thursday, visibly shaken city leaders gave more information about the tragic event that has left the 7,500 people who live in the rural area of southern Utah just outside of Cedar City in shock. They also thanked people all over the country for their continued support of the town.

According to a statement from the city, Tausha Haight, 40, her mother Gail Earl, 78, and Haight’s five children—three daughters, ages 17, 12, and 7, and two sons, ages 7 and 4—were killed by their father and Haight’s husband, 42-year-old Michael Orwin Haight. Haight then killed himself.

The Kids’ Names Have Not Been Made Public Yet

All eight bodies were found in a home at 4923 N. Albert Drive on Wednesday after family and friends asked police to check on the people living there. Dotson said that the night before, he saw Tausha Haight and one of her daughters at a church event. The mother was going to meet with someone she didn’t know on Wednesday morning. He said that when she didn’t show up for her appointment, the person she was supposed to meet with called the police to ask if she was okay. Thursday, Dotson didn’t say why that person thought a welfare check was necessary.

Dotson said that when Tausha Haight couldn’t be found, a missing person report was first made in Cedar City, where Michael Haight worked. Dotson said that when it was found out that he lived in Enoch, the missing person’s report was given to the local police. Soon after, a search for the whole family began. Wednesday around 4 p.m., police went to the Enoch home and found the horrible thing.

“Pray For The Whole Family”

On Thursday, city leaders were visibly upset as they told reporters about the crime and tried to answer their questions. “This is what the people think. “It’s normal to feel this way when we talk about it and talk about it with each other,” Dotson said, his voice breaking at times. Mayor Geoffrey Chestnut said that the event hit him especially hard because he lived near the Heights. “The little kids played in my yard with my sons,” he said after taking a moment to calm down. “This is a terrible loss for a lot of families who have spent a lot of nights with the people who have died.”

Chestnut said that Gov. Spencer Cox has called his office to show support and offer help to the National Security Council. Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted that President Joe Biden and the first lady both agreed with her. Dotson said that the police officers who found the terrible thing also knew the family, and he asked the public to think about both the family and the officers.

“What we’re asking the public to do is to pray for law enforcement if you pray. It matters to them. Say prayers for them. Even if you don’t believe in God, take care of your family. Be there for your family. Help them out. Enjoy them. He said, “Just like we love each other and this family.”

Thursday, the yellow police tape around the house and the whole street stayed in place. The mobile command unit of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office was also parked in front of the house. Dotson said that detectives from the Enoch Police Department, the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cedar City Police Department worked all night and into Thursday afternoon to gather information and evidence. Early Thursday morning, the bodies of the family were taken out of the house and taken to the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office in Salt Lake City, where autopsies will be done.

Recent Divorce Filing

Police and city leaders haven’t said what might have caused the terrible event, and they say it could take several days or weeks to find out. Court records show that Tausha Haight filed for divorce on December 21. On Thursday, neither the police nor the city leaders could say if that was a factor in the killings. Dotson said that part of the investigation will be to find out who was living in the house at the time or if anyone had moved out since the divorce papers were filed.

He said that Tausha Haight’s mother had been helping out by staying there for a few weeks. Jackson Ames, the chief of police in Enoch, said that officers were “involved in an investigation with the family” a few years ago, but that they haven’t had anything to do with them lately. He wouldn’t say what the investigation before that was about.

On Thursday, many people from the close-knit community drove slowly by the house with their windows down and looked. One woman put flowers at the edge of the police line, which was the start of a makeshift memorial. Others had brought flowers, a Minnie Mouse doll, and five small teddy bears by 2:00 p.m. The woman who left the bears says that each one represents a child who was killed.

“Just great kids all around. Very nice people. The woman who said she knew the family but didn’t want to give her name said, “Very loving, smart, and enthusiastic kids.” When another woman who brought flowers saw the house and the police tape, she got emotional. She was saddened by what happened and angry at what the police said Michael Haight did. Several people who knew Tausha Haight wrote about her on social media.

“We will never forget how kind you were and how much fun we had with you, sweet friend,” one woman wrote. “This tragedy hurts our hearts so much. Rest easy knowing that our Savior is holding your babies.” The whole town was shocked, said another woman.

“She was a beautiful person, and we can take comfort in the fact that all of her children and her parents are taking care of her now. We can make the world a better place by remembering her and the sweet spirit she brought to it. We can also try to be like her and continue her work of being a light in a dark world.

“It’s a terrible thing to happen in a small town like this,” said Esther, who lives around the corner from the house and knew the family from church. “Here, everyone knows everyone.” Esther, who only wanted her first name used, said that her family found out about the shooting from an email sent by the Iron County School District.

Other neighbors said that the family was very involved in their Latter-day Saint religion and that the husband worked as an insurance agent. Tim Marriott, who is in charge of student services for the school district, said that the Haight kids went to four schools in the district, from preschool to high school. He said that on Thursday, counselors, therapists, social workers, and the crisis mobile response team were at all of the schools and would stay there for the time being.

He also thanked the community for helping the district and said that several private clinicians had offered to “drop what they’re doing” and go to the schools if needed. Marriott also said that “quite a few students” were absent on Thursday. The White House said in a statement that the president and first lady are sad along with the people of Enoch.

“Too many Americans have lost loved ones or had their lives changed forever because of gun violence, and gun violence is still the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. Five more children were killed in a mass shooting in Enoch City less than a month after the Sandy Hook tragedy turned 10 years old,” the statement said in part.

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