The bodies of two missing Kansas mothers, Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley, were found in a rural area near where their abandoned vehicle was discovered in Texas County, Oklahoma. The women were both murdered in what authorities described as an “absolutely brutal crime.” Kelley, the wife of a preacher, and Butler were on their way to pick up Butler’s children for a birthday party in Kansas. Butler was fighting a custody battle with her children’s father, and Kelley had supervised her visits with them.
Four individuals, including Tifany Machel Adams, Tad Bert Cullum, Cole Earl Twombly, and Cora Twombly, were arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder. The double murder is believed to have occurred shortly after Butler had petitioned for full custody of her children. Adams and Cullum were reportedly romantically involved and friends with the Twombly couple, but officials did not confirm the exact relationships between the suspects.
The massive law enforcement effort involved in solving the case included the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Texas County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, the Oklahoma Medical Examiners Office, and the state’s Highway Patrol. District Attorney George Leach acknowledged the cooperation of approximately 100 law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice. The investigation produced significant physical evidence, although details of the case remain confidential at this time.
Authorities did not confirm the relationship between the suspects or address the custody dispute directly, but they assured that the children involved were safe. The focus was on ensuring the public’s safety and apprehending the perpetrators of the brutal crime without incident. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Public Information Officer Hunter McKee emphasized that there are no suspects at large and that the public is not in danger. Law enforcement expressed gratitude for the arrests made in the case and highlighted the teamwork involved in bringing the suspects to justice.
FBI Special Agent Sanya Garcia extended condolences to the families of the victims and expressed hope that the recent arrests would provide closure. The arrests were made over the weekend following a thorough investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. Kelley and Butler’s bodies were found in a rural location after being reported missing, leading to the identification of the suspects involved in their murders. The case has shocked the local community and highlighted the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in solving such heinous crimes.
The discovery of the bodies of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley marked a tragic end to a story that began with their disappearance in Kansas. The women were killed in a brutal crime, and the arrests of four suspects brought some level of closure to their families and the community. The investigation into their murders involved a significant law enforcement effort, and the arrests were made without incident. The legal process will now proceed to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide answers to the questions surrounding this devastating case.
