They Broke Into the Tiede Family’s Mountain Cabin, Killed a Mother and Grandmother, Opened Their Christmas Gifts, and Kidnapped the Daughters — The True Story of a Holiday Horror That Shook Utah
It was supposed to be a quiet, snow-covered Christmas for the Tiede family — a peaceful escape into the mountains of Oakley, Utah, where the air was crisp, the trees stood still, and holiday lights glowed through the falling snow. But on December 22, 1990, what began as a family celebration became one of the most haunting crimes in Utah’s history.
Rolf and Kaye Tiede, along with their daughters Linae, 20, and Tricia, 16, and Kaye’s mother, Beth Potts, arrived at their remote cabin just days before Christmas. It was meant to be a retreat — time for skiing, laughter, and the warmth of family after a long year. None of them knew that two dangerous fugitives, Von Lester Taylor and Edward Steven Deli, had already broken into their home earlier that day.
Taylor and Deli were on the run from a halfway house, wandering through the snowy wilderness when they stumbled upon the Tiede cabin. Seeing it empty, they forced their way inside. The men ransacked the house, rummaging through personal belongings, and found the family’s wrapped Christmas gifts under the tree. But instead of leaving, they decided to wait.
When the Tiedes arrived later that evening, their warm holiday spirit was met with unimaginable terror. Taylor and Deli held them at gunpoint, forcing them inside. Over the next several hours, the tranquil holiday setting turned into a scene of violence and fear.
According to reports, Kaye and her mother Beth were shot and killed by Taylor. The attackers then filmed themselves opening the family’s Christmas gifts — a horrifying act of mockery amid their brutality. The men later set fire to the cabin in an attempt to destroy evidence, leaving behind a blaze that lit up the cold Utah night.
Miraculously, Rolf and his two daughters, Linae and Tricia, managed to escape the burning cabin. But their nightmare was far from over. Taylor and Deli abducted the two young women, forcing them into the family’s car and speeding away into the snowy darkness. Rolf, though badly injured, managed to find help — his courage and quick action were critical in launching the desperate manhunt that followed.
Police and emergency teams tracked the fugitives through the wilderness, leading to a dramatic chase that ended with their capture. Both men were arrested and later convicted. Taylor received the death penalty, while Deli was sentenced to life in prison.
For Utah, the case remains one of the state’s most chilling crimes — not only for its violence but for its cruel timing. The image of a family preparing for Christmas, only to have their joy replaced by grief and loss, left the community shaken for decades.
Linae and Tricia survived, carrying with them the memories of both horror and resilience. Over the years, they’ve spoken about the importance of love, forgiveness, and the strength of family — even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Today, the Tiede cabin stands as a somber reminder of how quickly peace can turn into chaos, and how, even after darkness, the human spirit can endure. It’s a story that still chills anyone who hears it — a Christmas that began with hope and ended in heartbreak.
