The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed on Monday that two Kansas women who went missing on a trip to pick up children for a birthday party are dead. Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, of Hugoton, Kansas, were driving through the Oklahoma panhandle to pick up Butler’s children for a March 30 birthday party in Kansas. Their vehicle was found abandoned on a rural highway near the Oklahoma-Kansas state line with evidence of foul play, and the women never showed up. Authorities described an intense effort to find the women, protect the children, and arrest suspects without violence.
OSBI Director Aungela Spurlock expressed that the case did not end as they had hoped and described it as a tragedy for everyone involved. OSBI spokesman Hunter McKee confirmed that Butler and Kelley are deceased and that the four defendants were responsible for their disappearance. However, he did not confirm that the bodies found were identified as the missing Kansas women, pending a report from the Medical Examiner’s Office. The suspects arrested were charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree. They were identified as Tad Bert Cullum, Tifany Machel Adams, Cole Earl Twombly, and Cora Twombly.
According to Oklahoma authorities, all four suspects are being held without bond in the Texas County Jail and are scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Wednesday morning. The bodies recovered were found in Texas County, and the Medical Examiner’s Office would determine their identification and cause of death. The suspects did not have attorneys listed in court records who could speak on their behalf. The case has drawn attention due to the tragic outcome and the efforts made by authorities to ensure the safety of the children involved in the situation.
The investigation into the disappearance and subsequent deaths of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley continues to unfold as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the case. The community has been left shocked and saddened by the events, as many had been hopeful for a different outcome. The families of the victims are left to grapple with the loss of their loved ones, as well as the legal proceedings against the suspects involved. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers that can arise in situations involving criminal activity and the importance of swift and thorough law enforcement responses.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the communities involved, and there is a sense of urgency to bring those responsible to justice. The loss of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley has brought heartache to many, and their memory will be honored as the legal process moves forward. As the details of the case are revealed, the public will continue to follow the developments and support efforts to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.
