A family of eight found shot to death inside their house in Enoch City, Utah, died by murder-suicide on Wednesday, according to a news release from the city manager, Rob Dotson.
Officials in Enoch City, Utah, some 180 miles northeast of Las Vegas, stated Michael Haight, 42, his wife, Tausha Haight, 40, and Tausha's mother, Gail Earl, 78, were discovered dead at the home. The couple's five children, aged four to seventeen, were also killed.
In a statement issued Thursday, the city identified Michael Haight as a suspect.
"Evidence suggests that the suspect took his own life after killing seven others in the home," Dotson said. "We join with all who are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and want to express our condolences to the family and friends of the victims."
According to the press release, police went to the residence in Enoch City, which is roughly 245 miles south of Salt Lake City, on January 4 in response to a welfare check requested by the victims' relatives and friends who hadn't heard from them.
Police stated that the investigation is still ongoing.
Officials hinted at a possible cause of the deaths during a media briefing that Tausha Haight had filed for divorce in late December.
According to the Associated Press, Tausha's divorce lawyer, James Park, claimed that she had not voiced concern for how her husband could harm her. He claimed to have met her twice, most recently on Tuesday.
They married in 2003. According to the Associated Press, she was from Overton, Nevada, about two hours south of Cedar City, where Michael grew up.
Enoch City Mayor Geoffrey Chestnut said the tragedy has rocked the community of around 7,500 people.
"The Haights were my neighbors. The youngest children played in my yard with my sons," Chestnut said at a news conference Thursday. "This is a tremendous blow to many, many families who have spent many, many nights with these individuals who are now gone."
The five children were students at the Iron County School District, according to a letter sent to district parents and guardians.
"This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school district, especially our students," the letter said.
According to Police Chief Jackson Ames, the family was the subject of some police investigations a few years ago. He didn't go into more detail.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox encouraged people to remember the Enoch community in their prayers.
"Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless violence," Cox said in a tweet Wednesday.
