ENOCH — Exactly one year after the horrific mass murder-suicide that left eight family members dead inside their home in Enoch, approximately 100 people gathered at Enoch Elementary School to honor and remember those whose lives were taken.
“Tonight is about the victims. Tonight is about Tausha, Macie, Briley, Ammon, Sienna, Gavin and Tausha’s mom Gail Earl,” Cindy Baldwin, a friend and neighbor of the Haight family, said as she welcomed those in attendance on Thursday.
As previously reported, Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother were all shot to death on Jan. 4, 2023 by Tausha’s husband Michael Haight, who then turned the gun on himself after killing his family.
And while the perpetrator’s name wasn’t mentioned at all during Thursday’s memorial event, Baldwin did highlight the topic of domestic violence.
“I know this stuff is hard to talk about,” she said. “But tonight, I have a voice for Tausha. She and I had many conversations about this very topic. I was one of her safe people and I knew a lot of what was going on behind closed doors.”
Added Baldwin: “Tausha told me in a text message a few months before she died, quote, ‘I’m doing the work to stop the cycle and helping my kids be healthy.’”
Baldwin said the traumatic event had a significant impact on “countless” people, including friends, neighbors and family members.
“I know many who were not in attendance tonight because they’re so emotional and upset about what happened one year ago today,” she said. “Going through this is much more than simply breathing. We have experienced significant trauma.”
After Baldwin’s opening remarks, the program’s next five speakers took turns sharing their personal memories of Tausha, Macie, Briley, Ammon, Sienna and Gavin.
Vicki Murdock, Gavin’s primary teacher in church, recalled how excited Gavin was to show her his school picture.
“I know without a doubt that Tausha and her kids are all together and they’re with Jesus and are happy together,” Murdock said.
Sundee Yardley, who was 7-year-old Sienna’s teacher last year at Enoch Elementary, described her as “a very sweet little girl with pretty blonde hair and great big beautiful blue eyes,” who loved cats and ice cream.
“I’m so thankful that I got to be Sienna’s teacher,” Yardley said. “I love her and I will never forget her. She was an amazing, special little girl. Tausha, your hopes and dreams for Sienna came true. She was sweet, hardworking, and especially kind. May we all strive to be kind, loving and caring, just like Sienna.”
Friend and neighbor Wendy Morris spoke of the fun and uplifting interactions she’d had with 17-year-old Macie, 12-year-old Briley and her mother Tausha, while working in her church calling as a Young Women’s group leader.
She described Macie as “funny and mischievous.”
“She always could think of the best pranks,” Morris said.
Meanwhile, Briley was an avid book reader who loved to respond to questions, Morris recalled.
“Briley knew the gospel as well. If a question was asked in class, she’d be the first to raise her hand. It was like one after the next question, again and again and again,” Morris noted.
Teenage friend McKayla Jacobson spoke of her friendship with the Haight children, particularly with Macie and with 7-year-old Ammon, Sienna’s twin brother. She shared several anecdotes of fun experiences they’d had together, including making a cardboard canoe and dressing up for Halloween.
Ammon loved to ride his bicycle and was very inquisitive, Jacobson added.
“He always wanted to know what you were doing, no matter what,” she said. “He would always ask you questions like, ‘What’s that? How does it work? What does it do? How do you use it?'”
Another close friend, Lethe Kelsey, noted that Tausha had the ability to nurture relationships.
“I’m sure you can see that everybody that she knew felt like they were her best friend,” she said. “Because that’s how she was. She made everyone feel that way. It’s true. She loved everybody that way. That was one of her greatest talents.”
Baldwin then shared a few memories of Tausha’s mother, Gail Earl, who had been staying with her daughter and grandchildren over the Christmas holidays to provide support after Tausha had filed for divorce.
Baldwin said she thought of Tausha’s mother as she drove by the Haights’ home right after finding out about the slayings.
“I remember thinking I was so happy that Tausha’s mom was there,” she said. “Because I just knew that they had a close relationship and that her mom was so supportive, and would come and help her. And so I know that her mom was there with her. Because Tasha needed some extra help and support through a very difficult time. And I know that she was an incredible woman.”
Baldwin also said she had spoken to Tausha’s sister immediately prior to Thursday’s memorial event.
“I talked to Tausha’s sister last night and she talked about how Gail was such a beautiful example of how to serve others,” she added. “And she was always making bread for dinner for others. She loved to visit friends and meet new friends.”
Baldwin said Tausha’s sister noted, “My mom had a very grateful heart. She would want to say thank you to anyone who has helped me, friends and family and the community heal through this.”
Cindy Jones, a licensed social worker and a member of the Enoch Community Trauma Recovery Committee, then spoke briefly and thanked all those who contributed time, money and resources toward efforts to help the community heal.
“I’m a mental health therapist of over 27 years, and I have spent my whole career doing trauma work. I just want you to know that this is the one of the most difficult things that I have ever done in my life,” Jones said. “One of the most beautiful things about small communities is that there’s a sense of safety, a sense of connection and a true sense of community. And I think those are some of the best things that have come through this past year.”
Following Jones’ remarks, a musical selection was performed, with vocalist Melanie Griffiths performing “Peace, Be Still,” accompanied by her daughter Maliza Griffiths on the piano.
Baldwin said plans are in the works for a memorial to be placed in the Enoch City Cemetery, with details to be decided later, with input from Tausha’s siblings and relatives.
Following a moment of silence, the meeting came to a end and those in the audience mingled quietly afterward. Some wrote memories and messages on a bulletin board adorned with photos, while others submitted their comments online.
The refreshments were chocolate chip cookies made with Tausha’s own recipe, with copies of her handwritten recipe card also being handed out.
Organizers also invited anyone interested and who has been impacted by the tragedy to participate in a “Pathway to Healing,” a two-day intensive trauma retreat scheduled for Jan. 26-27.
Registration is $20 for the two four-hour sessions. For more information or to sign up, visit this link.
Photo Gallery
An attendee writes a message of support on a bulletin board honoring Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother, on the one-year anniversary of their deaths, Enoch, Utah, Jan. 4, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Neighbor and friend Cindy Baldwin welcomes attendees to a celebration of life memorial event at Enoch Elementary School for Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother, on the one-year anniversary of their deaths, Enoch, Utah, Jan. 4, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Neighbor and friend Wendy Morris speaks during a celebration of life memorial event at Enoch Elementary School for Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother, on the one-year anniversary of their deaths, Enoch, Utah, Jan. 4, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Neighbor and friend McKayla Jacobson speaks during a celebration of life memorial event at Enoch Elementary School for Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother, on the one-year anniversary of their deaths, Enoch, Utah, Jan. 4, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Neighbor and friend Lethe Kelsey speaks during a celebration of life memorial event at Enoch Elementary School for Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother, on the one-year anniversary of their deaths, Enoch, Utah, Jan. 4, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Approximately 100 people attended a celebration of life memorial event at Enoch Elementary School for Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother, on the one-year anniversary of their deaths, Enoch, Utah, Jan. 4, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News Melanie Griffiths sings "Peace, Be Still" during a celebration of life memorial event at Enoch Elementary School for Tausha Haight, her five children and her mother, on the one-year anniversary of their deaths, Enoch, Utah, Jan. 4, 2024 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
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