A transgender woman who shot her parents dead in their Utah home has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, after revealing in court that she has converted to Islam behind bars.
A Plea to Avoid the Hearing
Mia Bailey, 30, begged a judge to let her skip her sentencing hearing in a Utah court last Friday. She voiced fears that reliving the details of her crimes could trigger a severe mental breakdown. Despite her request, the proceeding went ahead.
Bailey was handed two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life for the murders of Joseph and Gail Bailey. She also received an additional term of up to five years for aggravated assault for shooting at her brother during the same horrific incident in June 2024.
Details of the Crime and Arrest
The court heard that Bailey broke into her parents' home in Washington, Utah, on 18 June 2024. She then gunned down her mother and father in a cold-blooded attack. Gail Bailey was shot four times, while Joseph Bailey was shot twice in the head.
Her brother had locked himself in a bedroom with his wife during the shooting, narrowly escaping the same fate. A widespread manhunt was launched, and Bailey was found and arrested 16 hours later.
Revelations in Court: Faith and Mental Health
In a statement read by her attorney, Ryan Stout, Bailey disclosed she had become a devout Muslim while incarcerated. She stated, 'Because of my religious beliefs as a Muslim, it would be appropriate to take my life for atonement for what I did.'
Her defence also outlined a long and complex history of mental health issues. Stout explained Bailey had been diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, psychosis, possible bipolar disorder with psychosis, and schizophrenia.
'The most recent time she committed herself [to the hospital], she was discharged three days later, and 10 days later she murdered her parents,' Stout told the court. Bailey had changed her name and gender about a year before the murders.
Family Impact and Fear
Statements from Bailey's brothers, Corey and Dustin, painted a picture of a family torn apart by tragedy and living in fear. Corey Bailey told the judge, 'What's best for us and what's best for Mia is probably staying in prison for as long as possible.'
He acknowledged his sibling may not have been in her right mind but expressed ongoing terror about what she might still be capable of. 'We've lost our parents and we've lost a sibling in many ways as well,' he said.
Dustin Bailey addressed his sister directly, noting 'It was clear you were not safe or well.' He recalled their mother, Gail, as Bailey's fiercest defender, who persistently sought help for her struggling child.
Mia Bailey had previously pleaded guilty to the charges. The sentence ensures she will remain incarcerated for decades, a outcome her surviving family believes is necessary for public and their own safety.
