A police search warrant made public Tuesday details several Google searches that Enoch father Michael Haight apparently made days before authorities say he killed his family and then himself.
The Google searches had been conducted on Haight’s cellphone, according to the unsealed warrant, and included: “how loud is a 9mm,” “how loud is a 40mm,” “can you hear a gunshot in a house” and “can neighbors hear gunshots,” along with other related queries.
The phrases were searched on Dec. 30, five days before Haight fatally shot seven members of his family Jan. 4 before shooting himself, the warrant indicates. They were recovered after Haight’s phone was taken to the Utah Tech Digital Forensics Lab to have its contents extracted.
The seven family members found dead at the home with Haight were identified by authorities as Haight’s wife, Tausha Haight; Tausha’s mother, 78-year-old Gail Earl; and Michael and Tausha’s five children: Gavin, 4; twins Sienna and Ammon, 7; Briley, 12; and Macie, 17.
The slayings happened two weeks after Tausha had filed for divorce.
The search warrant released Tuesday indicates authorities recovered several other cellphones and tablets from the home. In the document, authorities also requested permission to search Michael Haight’s work computer and any USB or electronic storage devices from his office.
“It is probable that these items will contain evidence of the crimes relating to domestic violence and premeditated homicide due to the circumstances listed above,” the document states.
When police entered Michael Haight’s office on Jan. 5, they reportedly found journal entries on his desk, along with the family trust portfolio and printouts of an article titled, “How to cope with petty people.”
Another search warrant unsealed in January reported that one of the Haight daughters had texted her friend saying she was worried because her dad was acting strange.
Tausha Haight, her mother and the five Haight children were buried together in La Verkin on Jan. 13.
Editor’s note • Those who are experiencing intimate partner violence, or know someone who is, are urged to call the Utah Domestic Violence Link Line, 1-800-897-LINK (5465), or the Utah Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Line, 801-736-4356.
If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s 24-hour support.
