A joyful family vacation turned into a nightmare when two intruders committed a heinous act. Kaye and Rolf Tiede, along with their daughters Linae and Tricia, and Kaye’s mother Beth Potts, went on a scenic mountain retreat just before Christmas. Unbeknownst to them, two recently released ex-convicts, Edward Steven Deli and Von Lester Taylor, had broken into the remote cabin with intentions of robbery.
Upon the family’s arrival at the snowy cabin, the intruders held them at gunpoint, leading to a tragic series of events. The perpetrators fatally shot Kaye and Beth and injured Rolf, who managed to survive by playing dead. The criminals set the cabin on fire after tying up Rolf, who later escaped and sought help.
Tricia and Linae were left in the cabin as the culprits forced them to load snowmobiles for escape. Despite the harrowing situation, the sisters complied and drove the captors away. Eventually, they crossed paths with their uncle but couldn’t seek help due to fear of endangering him.
The criminals later abandoned the snowmobiles and fled in a stolen car, leading to a police pursuit. Rolf, after reaching safety at Zorn’s cabin, informed authorities, leading to the rescue of the kidnapped sisters. Subsequent investigations revealed the extent of the criminals’ callousness, as they were caught opening the family’s Christmas presents.
The surviving family members rebuilt the cabin as a symbol of resilience. The perpetrators received legal consequences, with Taylor facing the death penalty and Deli sentenced to life in prison. Despite the trauma, the family found solace in their unity and determination to move forward.