Twisted obituary praises Utah man who killed wife, five kids
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A Utah man who murdered his wife, his five kids, then killed himself is being painted by relatives as a family man in a perplexing obituary.
Michael Haight, 42, is suspected of gunning down his wife, Tausha Haight, 40 and their five children: daughters Macie, Briley and Sienna and sons Ammon, Gavin, all between the ages of 4 and 17.
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His mother-in-law, 78-year-old Gail Earl, was also killed in the massacre.
Two weeks before the shooting, Tausha had filed for divorce, officials said.
But in a since-removed online obituary published in the Spectrum, the shooter was described as a “sterling scholar in business” who “excelled at everything he did.”
The tone-deaf piece spoke of when the couple met and married and welcomed their five children who were “truly a cherished miracle to them.”
It continued: “Michael lived a life of service. Whether it was serving in the church or in the community, he was willing to help with whatever was needed.”
Neither the killings nor the victims mentioned in the obit’s comments section, just all kinds of love for Michael.
A GoFundMe account set up for funeral expenses and a memorial fund in honour of the kids shows a photo of the family of seven, along with a separate pic of Earl — but Michael has been replaced by a Photoshopped Jesus.
It is believed that the fundraiser’s organizers were not comparing Haight to Jesus but perhaps how many have portrayed him as the page only mentions Tausha, Gail and the five children.
“Their lives were tragically taken too soon. All who knew them loved them so very much,” the page reads, adding that the donations will go toward funeral expenses and a memorial fund in honour of the kids.
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“There are no words to describe the heartache we feel.”
An investigation into the motive of the murder-suicide is ongoing, but officials were aware Tausha filed for divorce on Dec. 21.
Police also revealed that officers investigated Michael a “couple of years prior,” suggesting possible previous problems within the household.
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