Timeline of days before Enoch murder/suicide

Residents of the town of Enoch, Iron County, come together in honor of Gail Earl and the Haight family at a vigil at the sports complex in Enoch on Jan. 13.

Residents of the town of Enoch, Iron County, come together in honor of Gail Earl and the Haight family at a vigil at the sports complex in Enoch on Jan. 13. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)


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ENOCH, Iron County — On Jan. 4, Michael Haight, 42, shot and killed seven members of his family before taking his own life in their family home in Enoch. The following is a timeline prepared by Enoch police regarding the days leading up to the murder-suicide. It was included in a series of reports released Friday.

Tragic timeline

Dec. 8, 2022 — Utah Division of Child and Family Services receives a report from daughter Macie of abuse. This is determined to be a prior allegation that was investigated.

Dec. 12Daughter Bailey texts a friend indicating that she just needs to have someone to make sure she is safe.

Dec. 21 — Divorce papers are drawn up with wife Tausha Haight's attorney.

Dec. 23 — The father, Michael Haight advises a client that he has left Allstate Insurance and has a noncompete that expires 1/1/23.

Dec. 30 between 10:41 a.m. and 11:21 a.m. — Michael Haight makes various internet searches. Topics include, "How loud is a 9mm gunshot?" "What does a gunshot sound like?" "I heard gunshots near my house, what do I do?" "If you heard a single gunshot in your neighborhood at night would you immediately recognize it as such? Would you either way be alerted enough to call the police, or would you chalk it up to being just another sound in the night?" "How loud is a gunshot in a house?" "Would a neighbor hear a gunshot in a garage?" "How loud is a 40mm pistol?"

Dec. 31 — Daughter Macie tells dance chaperone that her dad is being a jerk again. She is excited about the pending divorce.

Jan. 1, 2023Tausha Haight reports that firearms are removed from the home to her attorney.

Jan. 2 — Bailey reports to a friend that her parents are divorcing. She is really excited to have her father out of the house.

Jan. 3 — Tausha Haight meets with her attorney and discusses financial issues in the divorce.

Jan. 3 — Michael Haight uncharacteristically leaves his secretary's paycheck on her desk. He also leaves living trust paperwork on his desk.

Jan. 3, 9 p.m. — Michael Haight records a video on his phone with him asking his wife to work things out. During the conversation he states, "I feel like you're backing me into a corner."

Jan. 3, 9:29 p.m. — Someone texts Michael Haight asking him if he needs anything. He replies, "I've got my hands full right now."

Jan. 4, 3:30 a.m. — After the fact, a neighbor reports hearing what she thought were fireworks. She describes the cadence of the sounds.

Jan. 4, 11:02 a.m.A welfare check was requested at the Haight residence when family members were determined to be missing from various obligations. An officer attempts to make contact at the address.

Jan. 4, 1:50 p.m. — A welfare check is requested on the suspect. It is reported that the suspect has been acting strange for a couple of weeks.

Jan. 4, 2 p.m. — An officer returns to the residence in an attempt to check the welfare. The house is secure and nothing visible through the windows.

Jan. 4, 2 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. — Various attempts to make contact with the Haight family by Enoch police and Cedar City police.

Jan. 4, 3:50 p.m. — Neighbors enter the Haight home to check welfare. They see a body on the bed with blood. They back out of the house and call police.

Jan. 4, 4:01 p.m.Enoch police officers arrive and determine there are deceased bodies in the residence.

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