Apparent murder-suicide puts spotlight on Utah's small Myanmar community

Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — Refugees who come to the United States are typically a resilient bunch, facing numerous challenges in fleeing their home countries and then in making a new life here.

They may have faced war and life in a chaotic refugee camp, said Aden Batar, director for migration and refugee services for Catholic Community Services. Then, in the United States, there are language and cultural barriers to hurdle, not to mention separation from other family members.

"So the challenges are quite a number," Batar said. "But refugees are resilient, and they cope with those issues, and they do really great, most of them. ... They cope with the issues, and they pick up the pieces, and they move on. They rebuild their lives."

Something, however, seemingly went wrong in the West Valley City household of Dae Rah, who came with his family to the United States from Myanmar via a refugee camp in Thailand. Authorities suspect the man, 42, shot his wife and four children sometime the evening of Dec. 13 or early on Dec. 14 before turning the gun on himself. His 17-year-old son, who suffered a gunshot to the head, is the only survivor.

Authorities said Wednesday they didn't know what may have motivated the apparent murder-suicide. They may never fully know. At any rate, the tragedy puts a spotlight on the small refugee community in Utah from Myanmar, a southeast Asian nation that has "endured decades of conflict," the root of the displacement of millions, according to the International Rescue Committee.

Bu Meh and her two sons and two daughters were allegedly shot by her husband, Dae Rah, in their West Valley home over the weekend, authorities suspect. All died except the oldest son, 17, who suffered a gunshot wound to his head. (Photo: GoFundMe)

A GoFundMe* page created to raise funds to help Sha Reh, 17, the sole survivor of the tragedy, notes the Myanmar roots of the family matriarch, Bu Meh, 38. Authorities have verified the page, which indicates the family may have been here for at least a decade, as legitimate.

"Over 10 years ago, she fled a violent situation in her home country of Myanmar, where her people were being ethnically cleansed by their government," the page reads. She came to the United States with her husband and children, at least the older kids, learned English "and worked tirelessly to support her growing family." Funeral services for Bu and her three kids, Boe, Kristina and Nyay, are scheduled for Saturday.

A public post on the Karen Community of Utah Facebook page suggests the family is part of Myanmar's Karenni community. The Karen and Karenni communities are among the ethnic minorities in Myanmar that have faced displacement, along with the Rohingya and Chin people, according to the Utah Refugee Center, which works with the state's refugees.

"We are heartbroken by the tragedy in West Valley City, Utah, that (has) deeply impacted the Karenni community," reads the post from Thursday. "The Karen and Karenni communities share deep cultural and historical ties, so this loss feels personal to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Karenni community during this time of mourning. We stand in solidarity with them and encourage everyone to support in any way they can."

Operators of the Karen Community of Utah Facebook page didn't respond to a query for additional comment. But according to Utah Refugee Center figures, since 2010, around 1,470 refugees have come to Utah from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, including people from the Karen, Rohingya, Chin and Karenni communities. The Utah Refugee Center operates under the umbrella of the Utah Department of Workforce Services.

Batar, from Catholic Community Services, which assists with refugee resettlement in Utah, said he thinks the Karen community is the largest segment of the Myanmar refugee population. His organization, he estimates, has helped "several hundred" from the country in the settlement process, and the issues prompting them to flee aren't likely to fade away any time soon.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says problems in Myanmar have escalated since October 2023, with more and more people displaced within the country and increasing numbers fleeing. The outlook for 2025 "appears increasingly bleak and likely to worsen," according to the refugee agency.

Those who offer aid are mindful of the trauma refugees have likely endured in the course of their lives. Some refugees may even suffer post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues on reaching the United States. Groups like Catholic Community Services, though, screen for mental health issues and help find care providers, if needed. "It is something that we always watch," Batar said.

What's more, most refugees adapt to life in the United States despite the hardships they have faced. Batar knows of many from the Myanmar community who are thriving, some in the military.

At any rate, the Asian Association of Utah, which also assists refugees, said it's ready to offer help in the wake of the West Valley City incident. The Salt Lake City organization's "mental health team is available to provide counseling services to any community members who may need support during this difficult time," it said in a message to KSL.com.

Utah is home to an estimated 65,000 to 70,000 refugees in all, though not many have come in recent years from Myanmar, according to Becky Wickstrom, a Department of Workforce Services public information officer. The largest numbers in fiscal year 2024 came from Afghanistan, the Congo and Venezuela.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the affiliation of the Utah Refugee Center. It is no longer a partnership of Salt Lake Community College, Utah State University and the Utah Department of Workforce Services, though it used to be, but rather operates solely under the umbrella of the Utah Department of Workforce Services.