'Senseless acts of violence': 5 dead in apparent Utah murder-suicide identified by family
This story contains mention of possible domestic violence. Those facing domestic abuse can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit its website for a virtual chat.
Extended family members of five people fatally shot in what police believe to be a murder -suicide case in Utah released the victim's names Thursday.
They are: Bu Meh, 38, her daughters Kristina Ree, 8, and Nyay Meh, 2, and her son Boe Reh, 11, according to a statement released by the West Valley City Police Department on behalf of the family. In the statement, the family called it "senseless acts of violence."
Their bodies were found Tuesday in their home in West Valley City, a Salt Lake City suburb. A handgun was found under the body of husband and father, 42-year-old Dae Reh. Police said they believe he was the shooter.
The couple's teenage son was also shot in the head and, on Thursday, remained in critical condition unable to communicate with authorities.
"Sha Rey is our 17-year-old hero," the family wrote in the statement. "He has a long and complex road to recovery. He needs our full attention, our unconditional love and the Savior's gifts of healing and peace."
As of Friday, a motive in the killing remained under investigation, according to police.
Mother killed was refugee who came to US to flee violence
According to the family, the mother was a refugee who fled violence in Myanmar, an Asian country northwest of Thailand.
The mother came to the United States with her husband and young family "with little more than clothing on their backs, where she taught herself English, learned new skills and worked to support her family.
She achieved a way of life "far beyond the nightmare of her former country or the refugee camp," her family said in the statement.
"For reasons that we cannot comprehend, her husband robbed her and their children of that security and their very lives," her extended family wrote. "While the perpetrator of these heinous acts is deceased, we know that God's justice is not."
No note found at slain Utah family's home
The discovery took place after the mother failed to report to work this week, according to the West Valley Police Department, the lead agency on the case. A concerned relative entered the garage of the home, found the17-year-old boy critically injured, and notified police.
Police said they believe the killings took place over the weekend, police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku announced during a news conference this week.
Officers found no note at the crime scene, and there is no history of domestic violence on records at that home, Vainuku said.
"We understand how frustrating it is for an incident of this magnitude to happen and to not understand why. We know people want to know why. We want to know why," Vainuku said. "The truth is we may never know. It's hard to comprehend."
Anyone with information about the killings is asked to contact West Valley police.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for Paste BN. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.