Washington, UT – A 29-year-old Utah woman has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to killing her parents and attempting to murder her brother in a gruesome June 2024 shooting that prosecutors described as one of the most “chilling” cases they’ve ever handled. Authorities say Mia Bailey walked into her family’s home, gunned down both parents, and then bragged about the murders, saying she would “do it again.”
The Incident: Parents Gunned Down Inside Their Home
According to investigators, the shocking crime occurred on June 18, 2024, at the Bailey family’s residence in Washington, Utah. That evening, Joseph Bailey, 70, and Gail Bailey, 69, were at home when their daughter, Mia Bailey, entered the house armed with a firearm.
Prosecutors said Bailey first shot her mother, who was sitting on the couch watching television. She then walked into the master bedroom and shot her father multiple times. Court records reveal that Bailey later admitted to firing additional rounds to “make sure they were dead.”
“I would do it again. I hate them,” Bailey told police following her arrest, according to the criminal affidavit.
The suspect’s brother and his wife were also inside the home at the time. Bailey allegedly fired at her brother, but he managed to escape and run to a neighbor’s house to call 911.
When police arrived, both parents were deceased, and Mia Bailey had fled the scene, prompting a countywide manhunt.
Investigation and Arrest
Authorities quickly identified Mia Bailey as the prime suspect. During the search, law enforcement warned residents that she could be difficult to recognize, as she was undergoing a gender transition and often wore wigs.
“We wanted the public to understand that she could present differently than the photos available at the time,” officials said in a press briefing.
Bailey was spotted in nearby woods later that night, but she initially evaded capture. By the following morning, around 8 a.m., police negotiators successfully persuaded her to surrender peacefully. She was taken into custody without further incident.
Investigators later confirmed that Bailey legally changed her name and gender in July 2023, just months before the attack. Her brother had filed a protective order against her five days after that filing, but it was not granted by the court.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Plea
The Washington County Attorney’s Office announced that Mia Bailey pleaded guilty but mentally ill to two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated assault. Originally, she faced ten felony counts, including aggravated attempted murder and aggravated burglary.
“We are pleased Mia Bailey pleaded guilty to these horrific murders,” said Washington County Attorney Jerry Jaeger, the lead prosecutor.
Bailey’s plea means she has accepted responsibility for the crimes while acknowledging a mental illness diagnosis that will influence her sentencing and prison treatment.
Prosecutors have stated they will not seek the death penalty in this case. Instead, Bailey faces a potential life sentence when she appears in court for sentencing on December 19, 2025.
Statements and Public Reaction
The case drew national attention after details of Bailey’s confession emerged, revealing premeditation and lack of remorse.
Reporter Brian Schnee, who covered the case for Sidebar with Jessie Weber, described the shooting as “a calculated act driven by deep family resentment.”
“It’s clear intent to enter the home, immediately go to mom, then seek out other victims. It is chilling,” Schnee said.
Court records show that Bailey expressed anger and hatred toward her parents during police interviews. She reportedly said she had thought about killing them before and “felt satisfaction” after carrying out the crime.
Background and Family Impact
According to a GoFundMe campaign set up for the victims, Joseph and Gail Bailey had been living with their son, his wife, and their grandchildren at the time of the murders.
“These children haven’t just lost their home, but they’ve lost their family and have been ripped out of everything they know,” the fundraiser stated.
Friends and neighbors described the couple as loving grandparents and devoted community members, saying they were “the kind of people who would help anyone in need.”
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Bailey remains in Washington County Jail awaiting sentencing. The court will determine whether she will serve her sentence in a state prison with psychiatric care or within a secure mental health facility under correctional supervision.
Prosecutors say the guilty plea has spared the surviving family members from reliving the trauma during a lengthy trial.
“This outcome ensures accountability while recognizing the serious mental health factors involved,” Attorney Jaeger said.
Conclusion
The Bailey family murders have left the Washington community reeling from a tragedy fueled by mental illness, resentment, and violence. As Mia Bailey awaits sentencing, the case stands as a grim reminder of how unresolved family conflict and untreated psychological distress can end in devastating consequences.
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