Mia Bailey, a 29-year-old Utah woman, has entered a guilty plea, citing mental illness, to charges of aggravated murder and assault. The charges stem from a shocking incident in which she is accused of entering her parents’ home and fatally shooting them, as well as attempting to kill her brother. The announcement was made by the Washington County Attorney’s Office. Bailey was initially facing ten felony charges, including two counts of aggravated murder, aggravated attempted murder, and aggravated burglary.
Jerry Jaeger, the Washington County Attorney and lead prosecutor in the case, expressed satisfaction with Bailey’s guilty plea. The case, which took place on June 18, 2024, drew national attention due to its gruesome nature.
On the night of the incident, Joseph Bailey, 70, and Gail Bailey, 69, were at their home in Washington, Utah. Mia Bailey entered the home and shot her mother, who was watching television, before proceeding to the master bedroom to shoot her father. According to a criminal affidavit, both victims were shot multiple times to ensure they were dead. Mia Bailey later confirmed this to authorities, expressing no remorse and stating she would do it again.
At the time of the shooting, Mia Bailey’s brother and his wife were also in the home. The brother reported being shot at and managed to escape to a neighbor’s house to call for help. By the time law enforcement arrived, Mia Bailey had fled the scene.
As authorities launched a manhunt for Mia Bailey, they noted that she was undergoing a gender transition and could appear different from the descriptions provided. In 2023, Mia Bailey, formerly known as Colin Bailey, had legally changed her name and gender. Shortly after, her brother had filed a protective order against her, which was not granted.
The motive behind the horrific crime remains unclear, but family tension was evident. Mia Bailey evaded capture on the night of the crime but was located the following morning and surrendered to authorities after negotiations.
Prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty in this case. Bailey’s sentencing is scheduled for December 19. At the time of the shooting, Joseph and Gail Bailey’s son, his wife, and their young grandchildren were living with them. A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family.