West Valley City, Utah – The family of a Utah teenager who survived a devastating family murder-suicide says he has unexpectedly died nearly one year after losing his parents and siblings in the tragedy. Sha Reh, 19, passed away on Sunday, January 11, at his aunt and uncle’s home, according to a statement shared by his extended family.
The death was confirmed as being from natural causes, family members and church leaders told Fox 13. A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover funeral and memorial expenses.
Sole Survivor of 2024 Family Tragedy
Sha Reh was the only immediate family member to survive the December 17, 2024, shooting at the family’s home in West Valley City, authorities said. Police alleged that his father, Dae Reh, fatally shot Sha’s mother and three younger siblings before shooting Sha and then taking his own life.
Sha, who was 17 at the time, suffered a gunshot wound to the head that left him blind in both eyes and with a severe brain injury. He was hospitalized for months following the attack, according to reports cited by Fox 13.
Long Road to Recovery and Independence
Despite the extent of his injuries, Sha’s extended family said he made remarkable progress over the following year.
“Despite losing his vision in both eyes, and over the course of the past 13 months, Sha Reh overcame numerous obstacles on his pathway to healing,” his family said.
At the time of the shooting, Sha was a student at Granger High School, according to KUTV. In January 2025, he enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind, where his family said he learned Braille and developed independent living skills.
College Dreams Cut Short
In the week leading up to his death, Sha had just begun his first week of undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, his family shared on the GoFundMe page.
Sha dreamed of attending college and hoped to pursue law school, relatives said, describing him as determined and resilient despite the trauma he endured.
Community and Education Leaders React
The Utah State Board of Education released a statement expressing condolences to those grieving his loss.
“Sha Reh was part of Utah’s education community, and his determination to continue his education in the face of profound challenges was recognized by those who knew him,” the board said.
Sha also attended a local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose leaders confirmed his passing.
Family Background and Refugee Journey
Sha was the oldest of four children. His siblings were ages 2, 8, and 11 when they were killed in the December 2024 shooting. The family of Sha’s mother, Bu Meh, said the family had fled Myanmar more than a decade earlier and lived in a refugee camp in Thailand before resettling in the United States.
“After moving into their own home and finally enjoying a level of prosperity far beyond the nightmare of their former country or the refugee camp in Thailand, and for reasons that we cannot comprehend, her husband robbed her and their children of that security and their very lives,” Bu Meh’s family said.
Family Reflects on His Passing
In their statement, Sha’s extended family thanked Salt Lake County first responders, police officers, and medical staff who supported him after the 2024 tragedy.
“While we are devastated at the news of his death, the knowledge of the joy of his reunion with his family exceeds our pain,” the family said.
“Caring for him and watching him grow and regain his independence has been a labor of love for our family.”
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