The Incident
On Tuesday evening, around 7 p.m., Mia’s parents were found dead in their home with multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by a handgun. Mia’s brother, Cory Bailey, managed to flee the house and sought help from neighbors, eventually calling 911 to report the incident.
Admission of Guilt
Following a manhunt, Mia was arrested and accused of fatally shooting her parents. Court documents filed on the day of her arrest revealed that she openly admitted to the crime without showing any remorse. She allegedly expressed to police, “I would do it again. I hate them.”
Details of the Crime
According to police reports, Mia admitted to planning the murders. Surveillance footage showed her entering the house and immediately shooting her mother, Gail Bailey. When her father, Joseph Bailey, heard the shots and approached, Mia shot him in the head.
After an initial round of gunfire, Mia went upstairs and fired more shots. She then returned to her father’s body to ensure his death with another shot to the head and did the same to her mother. Additionally, she fired a shot through her brother and his wife’s bedroom door, but they were unharmed.
Police found shell casings on the first floor near the stairs and in the front room. Gail’s body was discovered on the first floor, while Joseph’s was in the hallway leading to the master bedroom. Autopsy results showed that Joseph was shot twice and Gail had four gunshot wounds.
The Manhunt and Arrest
When police arrived at the Bailey family home, they found the door open, leading to a widespread overnight search involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Washington Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Mia was considered dangerous and had fled in a yellow 2014 Kia Soul, prompting authorities to deploy helicopters in the search. She was eventually spotted walking in a nearby ravine, attempting to evade capture by hiding in thick brush.
Officers observed Mia heading towards the Painted Desert subdivision and instructed her to stop. Instead, she pulled a handgun from her waistband, briefly aimed it at herself, and then disappeared into dense foliage.
Apprehension
After a 16-hour search, Mia Bailey was apprehended in Washington City. Video footage showed her being escorted by seven armed officers. The arrest brought an end to a tense manhunt and marked the beginning of legal proceedings against her for the tragic murders of her parents.
This case highlights the devastating impact of familial violence and the complex dynamics that can lead to such tragedies. The community now awaits further developments as the legal process unfolds.
