Funeral held for mother and children of West Valley City shootings
Dec 21, 2024, 11:29 AM | Updated: 5:21 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Bridget Harding visited with Bu Meh and her family on Dec. 13.
She recalled talking with 17-year-old Sha Reh about the concurrent enrollment classes he was taking and how he planned on going to the University of Utah next fall. She also recounted how 11-year-old Boe Reh, whom she called a “smiling giant,” sat and talked with her even though he really wanted to be playing his Xbox.
“He was so mature for an 11-year-old,” Harding said.
A family photo of Bu Meh and her three children. (Courtesy Family and Friends of Bu Meh)
But it would be the last time Harding would get to see most of the family. West Valley police believe sometime between late that night and early Saturday, Dec. 14, Bu Meh, 38, her son Boe Reh, 11, and two daughters Kristina Ree, 8, and 2-year-old Nyay Meh, were shot and killed by Bu Meh’s husband, 42-year-old Dae Rah, in their home at 3761 S. Oxford Way, before Rah killed himself. The tragic discovery wasn’t made until Tuesday.
Meh’s 17-year-old son, Sha Reh, was miraculously found alive in the garage after being shot in the head and is undergoing treatment for a traumatic brain injury.
A funeral service was held Saturday for the four deceased family members at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Colombus Branch, 2280 S. 300 East. Three closed caskets were rolled to the front of the chapel as the service began.
Friends and family of Bu Meh and her children watch as one of the caskets is placed in a car. (Mark Less, KSL TV)
In her opening prayer, family friend Michelle Schmidt said she was grateful for the memories she had of Bu Meh and her family and “the joy they brought us over the years.” She also acknowledged that many are still “processing and grieving this difficult situation” and asked God to bring them peace during the Christmas season.
The plan of salvation and belief that people will be reunited in the afterlife was a common theme with several of the speakers. Harding told the congregation that Bu Meh isn’t dead, “We just can’t see her at this time. We will see her again.” She encouraged the congregation to turn to Christ for comfort.
“Mistakes and terrible choices are made that we can’t understand sometimes,” she said.
Harding met Bu Meh in 2016 and helped the family navigate living in America. Meh and her family fled Myanmar 10 years ago and lived for a while in a Thai refugee camp. Saturday’s funeral service was delivered in both English and Burmese with interpreters repeating what the speakers said.
Htay Reh, who was identified as a relative from Michigan, gave a short speech in Burmese, thanking Utahns and the Church of Jesus Christ for their support over the past week.
Before the service, Neh Meh also delivered a statement in English on behalf of the family, thanking from the “bottom of our heart” the community for their well-wishes and support as well as those who have donated to a GoFundMe account.*
“We are still praying for our nephew, Sha, and right now, we are focused on him. And we continue to ask you to pray for us,” Meh said.
Family spokesmen Laesgaw and Neh Meh K’Chawtee attend the funeral of Bu Meh and her children, Boe Reh, Kristina Ree and Nyay Meh, in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
Harding said she visited Sha in the hospital this week. She said he was able to squeeze a relative’s hand multiple times and she wiped a tear from his face while talking to him.
Elder Brian K. Taylor, second counselor in the church’s Utah Area presidency, began his remarks by first telling Meh’s family that he was very sorry for what they were going through. He then recounted how his own grandmother was killed while serving a mission in 1979. He recalled overhearing his mother telling a friend that they would not travel to the state where his grandmother’s killer would stand trial to make sure justice was served.
“Justice will take care of itself,” Elder Taylor recounted his mother saying. “We are going to forgive and move forward.”
He told Meh’s family in the congregation that their deceased loved ones are being taken care of in the next life.
“I know they will be OK,” Elder Taylor said.
The service also included the hymns “I Am a Child of God” and “God Be With You Til We Meet Again,” a piano duet of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” and a performance of “It Is Well With My Soul” on two violins.
A private interment and grave dedication was held at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E. 4580 South.
Contributing: Alex Cabrero, KSL TV
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
