Sha Reh, the only member of his family to survive a 2024 murder‑suicide in West Valley City, Utah, has died suddenly at the age of 19. His extended family confirmed his death in a statement shared online.
In December 2024, West Valley City police responded to a home where they found a terrible scene. Sha, then 17, had been shot during a murder‑suicide that also killed his mother, father, and three younger siblings. Police believe his father killed the rest of the family and then himself. Sha was discovered alive in a garage and rushed to the hospital with a severe head wound. He survived but lost his sight.
Despite losing his vision, Sha worked hard to rebuild his life. He learned Braille and life skills at the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind, and he lived with relatives who supported him. Just days before his death, Sha had taken a major step by starting classes at the University of Utah, a goal he had talked about for months. His family said he was excited about pursuing higher education and even hoped to later attend law school.
In May 2025, Sha said he tried to stay positive despite the hardships he had faced. “I strive to do good things in this world,” he told local reporters. “I am very grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to be happy.”
On Sunday, January 11, 2026, Sha passed away unexpectedly at his aunt and uncle’s home. His family said he died of natural causes, though they did not provide further details. A GoFundMe page set up to help with funeral expenses shared the news and described the deep sadness of the loss.
Friends, teachers, and classmates described Sha as kind, resilient, and inspirational during the year after the tragedy. They said his courage in facing blindness and his positive attitude touched many people around him.
His family said in their statement that while they are devastated by his death, they find comfort in their belief that he is now reunited with his loved ones.