The Murders of the Lillelid Family

Isabella
Mar 30, 2022
2 min read

It has been 25 years since the lives of Vidar, Delphina and Tabitha Lillelid were taken. On April 6th 1997 the Lillelid family was returning home from the annual Jehovah witness assembly in Johnson City. They were heading down Interstate 81 and just before 7:20pm the family’s van pulled into a rest stop at mile marker 41. This is where Vidar carrying Peter approached two women Natasha Cornett and Karen Howell. He struck up a conversation about his beliefs believed to be prompted by the dark coloured clothes and makeup they were wearing. Then Joseph Risner and Jason Bryant joined the conversation. This is when Risner discreetly showed Vidar a 9mm handgun tucked in his pants. He then said "I hate to do this to you, but we are going to have to take you with us for your van." He then walked Peter and Vidar back to their van. Vidar pleaded even offering the keys to stay at the rest stop but Risner refused. Then with Vidar at the wheel while Risner held a gun to his head Vidar drove the van along with his wife, two kids, Risner, Bryant, Cornett and Howell down Payne Hollow RD to a spot that looked secluded at Risner’s directions. They were followed by the group's car with the last two members Dean Mullins and Crystal Sturgill. This is where the family was instructed to get out of the car and line up in the ditch at the bottom of the road. Then they were shot, after the bullets had been fired. Byrant checked to see if they were alive. When he found they were the family was shot again. Vidar was shot a total of 6 times and Delphina a total of eight. One bullet hit Tabitha and two hit Peter. Then the bodies were arranged reportedly in a cross the group got back in the car and ran over the bodies as they turned around. Vidar and Delphnia were killed that day and Tabitha would die the next day in hospital but Peter miraculously survived. We still do not know what member of the group performed the shootings as that has never been shared.

This crime is still talked anout today as one of the most horific crimes to take place. If you are interested in the conclusion and trial head to spotify to hera the rest.