At a Glance
- Sha Reh, 19, died of natural causes on Jan. 11, a week after starting at the University of Utah
- He was the only survivor of a 2024 murder-suicide that killed his parents and three siblings
- Why it matters: His death ends a story of resilience that inspired a community
Sha Reh, the teenager who survived a 2024 murder-suicide that claimed his parents and three siblings, has died at 19. His passing came just seven days after he began classes at the University of Utah, a milestone he had worked toward despite losing his sight in the attack.
Sudden Death at Family Home
Sha died Sunday, Jan. 11, of natural causes at his aunt and uncle’s house, relatives announced in a GoFundMe statement. The family created the fundraiser to cover funeral expenses.
“While we are devastated at the news of his death, the knowledge of the joy of his reunion with his family exceeds our pain,” the statement read. “He was among those who were once blind, but now can see. He has a perfect vision of his and his family’s eternity, and his home is now with them.”
Relatives described caring for Sha as “a labor of love” and thanked Salt Lake County officials, first responders, and community members who showed “loving kindness” over the past year.
The 2024 Tragedy
In December 2024, police in West Valley City, Utah, discovered Sha with a gunshot wound after a relative went to check on the family. Inside the home, officers found five other family members deceased.
The victims were:
- Bu Meh, 38, Sha’s mother
- Kristina Ree, 8, sister
- Nyay Meh, 2, sister
- Boe Reh, 11, brother
- Dae Reh, 42, father
Investigators determined Dae Reh shot his wife and children before taking his own life. Sha, then 17, sustained a head wound that left him blind.
Learning to Live Again
After the shooting, Sha learned Braille and new life skills to prepare for college. Josh Adams, assistant principal at Granger High School, called Sha “the kindest person I’ve ever known” in an interview with Fox 13.
“I’ve gotten to know him pretty well over the course of the past year… and my life was so much better for it,” Adams said. He last spoke with Sha a few weeks before his death, noting the teen “had so much to offer this world… there’s no one better to teach endurance, to teach empathy, forgiveness.”
In a May 2025 interview with KSL, Sha compared learning Braille to learning English when his family immigrated from Myanmar. The family had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after moving to the United States, and Sha credited his faith with helping him stay positive.
“I strive to do good things in this world,” Sha told KSL. “I am very grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to be happy.”
Community Support
The teenager’s journey from tragedy to college freshman drew widespread support. Local educators, religious leaders, and neighbors followed his progress as he regained independence.
His death marks the end of a story that began with unimaginable loss and became one of determination. Sha’s family believes he has now reunited with those he lost, writing that he sees “a perfect vision of his and his family’s eternity.”
Key Takeaways
- Sha Reh survived a family murder-suicide at 17 but lost his sight
- He spent the past year learning Braille and life skills to attend college
- Started at the University of Utah on Jan. 4, died seven days later
- Community remembers him for kindness and resilience
