CRIME, POLICE + COURTS
Officials release final report on Enoch family murders
Apr 7, 2023, 6:42 PM | Updated: 7:17 pm
A memorial is pictured across the street from the Haight home in Enoch, Iron County, on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Police say Michael Haight shot seven members of his family before taking his own life. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
ENOCH CITY, Utah — Three months after the murders of an entire family, Enoch City officials released their final report on the crime. Police say evidence suggests 42-year-old Michael Haight killed his entire family before dying by suicide.
The report, which has redacted information, details the investigation starting with a request on January 4 for a welfare check on Tausha Haight. The request came after Tausha, Michael’s estranged wife, never showed up to an appointment.
While initially thinking that the Haight family home was empty, police later learned that the bodies of Michael, 42, Tausha, 40, their five children, and Tausha’s mother, Gail Earl were in the home.
A family friend had entered the home through an open door after hearing that no one was able to make contact with the Haights. He found their bodies and notified police.
The report said that family photos around the house helped authorities identify the victims.
Report: Michael Haight blamed family for Enoch murders
Police said that a note by Michael Haight’s body blamed the people around him for his issues. The note included the line “I would rather rot in hell than to put up with one more day of their manipulation and control over me.”
Several interviews with friends, neighbors and other associates of the family detailed the family’s struggles with Michael’s behavior.
Friends reported that the Haight children were excited that their parents were divorcing. Many said the kids had expressed fear and discomfort over their dad’s behavior.
Interviewees also described Michael as controlling and abusive to Tausha and the kids.
Suspect in murders had lost job
The report revealed that Michael had been recently fired from Allstate. Police wrote that the conditions of his dismissal posed a risk of effectively ending Michael’s career. A business associate told police Michael had enough in his portfolio to retire comfortably, but Michael rejected the idea out of concern for his image.
The report noted several late-night Google searches that Michael made near the end of December. He searched for how loud a 9 mm gunshot is, whether a gunshot could be heard from a garage and several other questions centering on gunshots and people’s reactions to hearing them.
Around January 2, Michael removed his firearms from the home, according to the report. Tausha noticed but told friends that she didn’t know where he had put them.
The report also said that Michael recorded a video on his phone, asking Tausha to go back to him. In the video, Michael reportedly said “I feel like you’re backing me into a corner.” The video was recorded only a day before the murders.
Enoch City officials included a press release after putting out the report on the murders. In it, they said, “We join with all who are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and express our continued condolences to the family and friends of the victims.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing trouble linked to domestic violence, the following resources are available.
Utah Domestic Violence LINKLine
1-800-897-LINK (5465)
If LINKLine advocates experience an increased call volume, they will forward calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
StrongHearts Native Helpline
1-844-762-8483
