Authorities outside the home in Enoch, Utah, where five children and three adults were shot. (Screenshot via KABC-TV)
A Utah man who killed his entire family before killing himself earlier this year appears to have blamed it all on his wife.
In January, Michael Haight, 42, shot and killed his wife, Tausha Haight, 40, Tausha Height’s mother, Gail Earl, 78, and the couple’s five children: a 4-year-old boy, a 7-year-old boy , a 7-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl. After that, he died by suicide.
The massacre came weeks after Tausha Haight filed for divorce from her husband, a former insurance agent and devoted Mormon.
In a suicide note recently released by the Enoch Police Department and obtained by multiple media outlets, the killer referenced his faith and work ethic — and the apparent discord these parts of his life have caused to his wedding.
“I was complained about at every stage of my job, putting my church calling ahead of my wife and so on,” Michael Haight wrote. “She’s been so awful to me and my family for years and I’ve generally been patient in trying to work through her issues with my family, our children, our neighbors, members of the ward and other people who don’t care about her. not put in the center of attention. It’s absurd and I can’t stand it one more day. We will not be a burden on society. I kept asking for help and you weren’t listening.
The missive goes on to express a preference for death over the continued life he and his family led.
“I can’t believe God allowed the person who should be closest to me in the world to find fault, gossip, and disparage me at every turn,” the letter continued. “I’ve never seen someone who tries so hard to find fault with others. I’ve tried to help but it usually backfires and I always seem to be blamed. I’d rather rot in hell than to endure another day of this manipulation and control over me.
According to the 57-page report, the divorce papers were prepared by Tausha Haight’s attorney on December 21, 2022. The killer would receive the papers six days later on December 27, 2022.
“He asked her how her day was going,” the police report said, according to Deseret News. “He acted as if nothing had happened”
After this strange text, Tausha Height asked him whether or not he had received the lawsuit. He responded some time later, telling her to leave the house and leave their children there. She left and took the children with her, Salt Lake City-based NBC affiliate KSL reported.
Macie Haight, the eldest daughter, was thrilled with the divorce.
“My mom finally filed for divorce and I couldn’t be more excited,” she texted a friend. “He must go.”
Briley Haight, the second daughter, shared this sentiment.
“Thank you for letting me come, I needed a break from my house,” she wrote to a friend on the day of the divorce, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Tausha Haight had sent the children to friends because their father had initially received the papers – just in case. “My father is terrible.”
The separation lasted less than a week. The victims went to stay with Earl but they all returned to the family residence the following Saturday evening. At church the next day, the wife would not allow her husband to sit with their family.
“According to the ladies, the suspect was angry that his public image was going to be in question because he was not sitting with his family,” the report said, referring to friends of the Haight family.
As it turns out, the divorce coincided with another loss for Michael Haight — he had recently been fired from Allstate. A friend of his believed it had something to do with financial “irregularities”.
“The suspect was very concerned about his appearance in all respects,” the police report said. “He would do nothing to portray anything other than a perfect life both personally and professionally.”
Tausha Haight thought her husband had sold his insurance business, but worried why her husband had drained some $120,000 from their children’s savings accounts. The main motivation for the divorce, however, was years of alleged abuse and meanness that had recently begun to affect the children as well.
It transpired that Macie Haight had made three separate reports to Utah Child Protective Services about alleged abuse at the home. After an initial visit, a social worker was due to check on the family on January 5 – the day after Michael Haight went door to door in the house and killed every person in every room.
Briley Haight texted a friend on Dec. 12, 2022, police wrote, “stating she just needs someone to make sure she’s safe.”
She never would.
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