Woman Killed Her Parents in Their Home and Bragged About it Afterwards

A Utah woman who walked into her parents’ home and brutally gunned them down before trying to kill her brother has pleaded guilty in what prosecutors are calling a “chilling” case.

Mia Bailey, 29, entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated assault, according to the Washington County Attorney’s Office. She had originally faced ten felony charges, including aggravated attempted murder and aggravated burglary.

“We are pleased Mia Bailey pleaded guilty to these horrific murders,” said Washington County Attorney Jerry Jaeger, who led the prosecution.

The deadly rampage took place on June 18, 2024, at Joseph and Gail Bailey’s home in Washington, Utah. According to court documents, Mia walked in and shot her 69-year-old mother as she watched TV, then went to the master bedroom and shot her 70-year-old father multiple times to “make sure they were dead.”

“I would do it again. I hate them,” she allegedly told investigators later, even bragging about the murders during her interview.

Mia’s brother and his wife were also inside the house at the time. Her brother reported that she fired at him, forcing him to run to a neighbor’s home to call for help. When police arrived, Mia had already fled the scene.

Authorities warned the public that Mia, who was previously known as Colin Bailey, was in the process of transitioning and could appear different from initial descriptions. She had filed to legally change her name and gender just days before the shooting. Around the same time, her brother filed for a protective order against her — but while her name change was approved, the order was denied.

“We don’t know exactly what led to this,” journalist Brian Schnee told Law&Crime’s Sidebar. “But it’s clear there was deep family tension. The intent, the way she targeted her parents — it’s chilling.”

A massive manhunt followed the murders. Mia was briefly spotted but managed to disappear into the nearby woods. The next morning, around 8 a.m., police negotiators convinced her to surrender. She was taken into custody without further incident.

Prosecutors have confirmed they are not seeking the death penalty. Mia Bailey is scheduled to be sentenced on December 19.

A GoFundMe page created for the victims says Joseph and Gail’s son, his wife, and their young children had been living with the couple at the time of the shooting. “These children haven’t just lost their home — they’ve lost their family and everything they know,” the fundraiser reads.