A glowing obituary for a Utah man who’s suspected of killing his whole household in a murder-suicide plot mentioned he “made it some extent to spend high quality time with each considered one of his youngsters” — as a web based fundraiser bizarrely replaces him with a picture of Jesus in a household picture.
Police consider Michael Haight, 42, gunned down his spouse, Tausha Haight, 40, their three daughters, ages 17, 12 and seven, and two sons, ages 7 and 4, on Jan. 4 — two weeks after she had filed for divorce, officers mentioned.
Additionally killed within the Enoch Metropolis bloodbath was his mother-in-law, Gail Earl, 78.
However an obit revealed within the Spectrum didn’t point out the killings and painted an angelic image of the shooter, saying he “excelled at all the pieces he did” after graduating from highschool in 1998 as a “Sterling scholar in enterprise.”
“He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout,” the tone-deaf piece mentioned.
“Michael spent the summer time after commencement working in Alaska in a fish processing plant. His management abilities, values of trustworthy laborious work and dedication shortly led him to be a line supervisor and over a crew of 10-12 males,” it mentioned.
“Michael was known as and served a full-time mission to Porto Alegre South, Brazil for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” the obit continued.
Haight was mentioned to have met his future spouse throughout their time at Southern Utah College, the place he was named the Excellent Finance Scholar.
“They have been married within the St. George Temple on Might 10, 2003. Collectively they welcomed 5 youngsters into their household: Macie Lynn, Briley Ann, Ammon Michael, Sienna Belle, and Gavin Drew,” the obit mentioned.
“Every of those youngsters have been actually a cherished miracle to them,” it added. “Michael made it some extent to spend high quality time with each considered one of his youngsters. Michael loved making recollections with the household.”
It additionally mentioned the dad “lived a lifetime of service.”
“Whether or not it was serving within the church or locally, he was keen to assist with no matter was wanted,” the obit learn.
In the meantime, a GoFundMe account arrange by the household bizarrely changed Haight with Jesus in a household picture.
The fundraiser, which doesn’t point out Haight, had raised virtually $95,000 by Monday morning.
“Their lives have been tragically taken too quickly. All who knew them liked them so very a lot,” the web page reads, including that the donations will go towards funeral bills and a memorial fund in honor of the 5 youngsters.
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Shannon Watts, an activist in opposition to gun violence and founding father of Mothers Demand Motion, condemned the fawning obit and shared a hyperlink to it on Twitter — whereas mentioning that “not one of the obituary feedback point out the victims.”
The activist additionally shared a hyperlink to the household’s assertion, which supported proudly owning firearms.
“And if that’s not gross sufficient, the spouse’s household put out a press release supporting … weapons: ‘That is the kind of loss that may proceed to happen in households, communities and this nation when protecting arms are not accessible,’” Watts seethed.
The eyebrow-raising obit revealed by the mortuary was later made non-public.
Enoch Mayor Geoffrey Chesnut mentioned police have been nonetheless investigating the motive for the murder-sucide, however that they have been conscious that courtroom information confirmed Tausha filed for divorce on Dec. 21, Insider reported.
Tausha’s sister-in-law, Jennie Earl, informed the Related Press that Michael had eliminated all weapons from the house earlier than the shootings.
She mentioned the shortage of entry to firearms left Tausha Haight, her mom and her youngsters extra “weak.”
Police mentioned they’d investigated Michael earlier than, suggesting earlier issues contained in the family.
