Gavin Haight, Sienna Haight, Ammon Haight, Brilee Haight, Macie Haight
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CANDID ID: UT_23_1311
AGE
7   years
STATE
Utah
DATE OF DEATH
1/4/2023
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On the morning of January 4, 2023, Michael Haight shot and killed his five children — 4-year-old Gavin, 7-year-old twins Sienna and Ammon, 12-year-old Brilee, and 17-year-old Macie — as well as his estranged wife Tausha Haight (age 40) and her mother Gail Earl (age 78), before turning the gun on himself. A neighbor reported hearing what sounded like fireworks in the cadence of gunshots at approximately 3:30 a.m. The murders occurred approximately two weeks after Michael had been served divorce papers, following years of documented emotional and physical abuse chronicled by Enoch Police and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Police discovered that Michael had conducted internet searches prior to the killings about whether neighbors would hear a gunshot in a garage. Home video footage recorded by Michael hours before the murders showed controlling and manipulative behavior toward his wife.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

The news article explicitly states: "Haight shot and killed his entire family before turning the gun on himself." It further details that Michael Haight "shot and killed his five children — 4-year-old Gavin, 7-year-old twins Sienna and Ammon, 12-year-old Brilee, and 17-year-old Macie — as well as 40-year-old Tausha and her mother, 78-year-old Gail Earl."

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The news article states: "Police reports show Michael Haight had a history of abusive behavior toward his children, including one instance where he choked his oldest daughter, Macie." Choking is explicitly listed as an example of inflicted injury. Additionally, the children were shot and killed by their father.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

The article explicitly describes the incident as a murder-suicide: "Haight shot and killed his entire family before turning the gun on himself." The headline and article both use the term "murder-suicide."

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

Michael Haight was the biological father of the five children he killed. The article refers to them as "his five children" and "his children," and the conversations between Michael and Tausha clearly reflect a married couple discussing their own children, divorce, and child support.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The news article states: "records obtained by the Deseret News show years of emotional and physical abuse, chronicled by Enoch Police and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services." This explicitly indicates a history of child protection involvement prior to the deaths.

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Domestic violence is extensively referenced throughout the article. Tausha Haight "references several years of emotional abuse" and says Michael's presence "puts everyone on edge." She states: "You have not shown me that I am not safe with you, that you choose my safety or concerns." The article also notes "records obtained by the Deseret News show years of emotional and physical abuse" and that "Michael Haight had a history of abusive behavior toward his children, including one instance where he choked his oldest daughter, Macie." The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition was reviewing the case.

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

The news article states that Michael Haight "says he has been trying to work on his mental health and their relationship." He also references emotional distress and pressure, saying he "walked away from a business because I was feeling too much pressure." Additionally, the article notes the internet searches suggesting premeditated planning, and Tausha describes the family walking on eggshells around him.

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

The article describes several notable details: (1) Michael Haight had conducted premeditative internet searches including "Would a neighbor hear a gunshot in a garage?" and "If you hear a single gunshot in your neighborhood at night would you immediately recognize it as such?" per police records. (2) Home video footage recorded by the perpetrator hours before the killings captured his controlling and manipulative behavior, including emotional manipulation through tears. (3) Despite years of documented abuse "chronicled by Enoch Police and the Utah Division of Child and Family Services," the tragedy was not prevented, with officials now trying to determine "what, if anything, could have been done." (4) The maternal grandmother, 78-year-old Gail Earl, was also killed; she had moved in to help with the divorce. (5) The killing was carried out approximately two weeks after Michael was served divorce papers, and Tausha described financial control and refusal to leave the home.

These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.
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