Elk River family copes with two losses in just four months

ELK RIVER, Minn. (KMSP) - An Elk River family is dealing with a pair of back-to-back tragedies after losing two family members just months part.

"That's the question of the year,” said Connor Detloff. “How am I still going?"

Connor Detloff is coping with the unthinkable. He lost his mom four months ago. He lost his sister last week.

"Definitely not sad anymore – furious,” said Connor. “I guess I hide it pretty well. I'm kinda numb to the situation. Just like a bad nightmare that keeps playing over and over again."

Connor's mom, Kristi Slaughter died unexpectedly at the age of 48 from what the family described as health complications. His sister, Dani, died last Friday evening. The 23-year-old had recently moved up north to Backus, Minnesota. She was on her way to a church group meeting with her grandmother when she pulled out onto Highway 371 in Cass County and was struck by a pickup truck.

Authorities believe 55-year-old Paul Hamilton, the driver who hit her, was drinking. The investigation is ongoing. Dani's dad says he’s devastated.

"It's tough, never expect that call that your daughter died, just I'm numb for a week,” said Dan Detloff, Dani’s dad. “And I don't know how… what to do."

Dani loved fishing, the Green Bay Packers and all things outdoors. She was a star basketball and track athlete at Elk River High and many of her former teammates showed up for her funeral on Thursday.

For more information on fundraiser for Dani Detloff, click here.