'God's Misfits' tried to kill Veronica Butler earlier as two bodies found in hunt for Kansas women

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

WICHITA, KANSAS: After the apprehension of four individuals in connection with the disappearance of two Kansas women, a judge has disclosed the contents of four affidavits detailing the alleged plot to commit the homicides, which included the procurement of burner phones. 

Veronica Butler, aged 27, and Jilian Kelley, aged 39, both residents of Hugoton, Kansas, were reported missing in March while en route to collect children but failed to reach their intended destination as per Fox5Sandiego.

The detained suspects Tifany Adams, aged 54; Tad Cullum, aged 43; Cole Twombly, aged 50; and Cora Twombly, aged 44 are each confronting numerous charges, including suspicion of murder and kidnapping.

What did affidavit report about two missing women?

The affidavits delineate the nexus among the four individuals apprehended in connection with the homicides of Kelley and Butler on Saturday, March 30. 

Investigators assert that Butler was en route to fulfill a court-mandated supervised visitation with her two children in Oklahoma. 

According to court records, Kelley was designated as the authorized supervisor. Their intended itinerary included transporting Butler’s daughter to a birthday celebration. However, upon their failure to arrive, Butler’s relatives initiated a search. 

Investigators possess evidence indicating that the women reached the intersection of Highway 95 and Road L at 9:40 a.m. 

Allegedly, they were slated to transfer custody at 10 a.m. to the children’s grandmother, located five miles ahead at the junction of Highway 95 and US 64 West, known as Four Corners. 

Subsequently, two of Butler’s relatives discovered their abandoned vehicle at Road L and notified law enforcement. 

The affidavits asserted that evidence within and around the vehicle suggested a significant injury occurred. 

Blood traces were observed along the roadway, Butler’s eyeglasses lay near a fractured hammer, and a magazine for a pistol was discovered inside Kelley’s purse at the scene, although no firearm was recovered.

Affidavits detailed about the arrested suspect Tifany Adams

The affidavits talked about Tifany Adams, who is the grandmother of the children. Her son, Wrangler Rickman, has legal custody of the children. 

In some instances, Adams didn't let Rickman see the children for a while, and she was specific about who should watch over Butler during her visits. 

The court said Adams had to pay for the supervisor she wanted. If not, Butler had to choose and pay for one of three approved supervisors. 

Adams said her preferred person couldn't supervise the visit on March 30. But that person told investigators a different story, saying Adams told her to take a break for a couple of weeks. 

Since the preferred supervisor couldn't come, Butler picked Kelley to go with her. Adams said Butler canceled the visit during a phone call at 9 a.m. on March 30. Butler's phone records showed a call, but that was when Butler was in Hugoton getting Kelley. 

Adams told investigators she was at home when the women disappeared. Court records showed Rickman was in a rehab center in Oklahoma City.

Custody battle between Veronica Butler and Wrangler Rickman 

The fight for custody between Butler and Rickman started in February 2019. According to the affidavits, there are recordings where Rickman talks about his mother and her boyfriend, Tad Cullum, making death threats. 

However, it's not clear who the threats were aimed at. Recently, Butler asked for more time with the children. 

A hearing for her request was set for Wednesday, April 17. Her lawyer said it was probable that Butler would have been allowed to spend time with the children without supervision at the hearing.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation got permission to look at Adams’ phone. They found out she searched for things like how much pain a taser causes, where to buy guns, prepaid phones, and ways to get someone out of their house.

A juvenile’s report against 4 suspects

A young person told the investigators that she heard talks about Butler. She said Cora Twombly, along with Adams, Cullum, and her husband, Cole, were involved in the deaths.

According to the young person, Adams gave them burner phones to talk without using their phones. She also said she saw two burner phones charging on Cora Twombly’s bedside table.

The four suspects, plus another man they don't know, belong to a group that doesn't like the government and has religious beliefs. The young person said this group, called "God's Misfits," meets every week, according to what Oklahoma authorities found out.

Investigators receive statements against Cora and Cole Twomblys

Investigators said the Twomblys told a family member they were going on a "mission" on the morning of March 30. They came back home around noon and asked a family member to clean the truck they used. 

The family member asked what happened, and they said things didn't go as planned, but they wouldn't have to worry about Butler anymore. 

The Twomblys blocked the road to change Butler and Kelley's route to where Adams, Cullum, and another man were. The family member asked why Kelley had to die, and Cora Twombly said Kelley wasn't "innocent" because she supported Butler. 

When the family member asked if the bodies were put in a well, Cora Twombly said, "Something like that." 

The family member told investigators there were earlier attempts to kill Butler, like throwing an anvil through her car window, but she didn't leave her house that day. 

While investigators were talking to the family member, Cora and Cole Twombly tried to approach them aggressively.

Phone data have been found against suspects

Allegedly, Adams bought five stun guns in Guymon, Oklahoma, on March 23. Investigators also claim she purchased three prepaid cell phones on February 13. 

According to the OSBI, data related to these phones shows they were in the same place as Butler’s car and where Butler and Kelley were last seen before they disappeared. 

The investigators say the phones were first turned on near Cullum’s home before March 30, and two of them were found at the Twombly residence. After the women vanished, the phones were located at another person’s property with fresh dirt work. 

All three prepaid phones stopped sending signals on the morning of March 30 near the freshly dug area and near the Twombly home. 

The landowner where the digging occurred said Cullum asked to do some work on March 28 or 29, with Adams present. Cullum got permission and used a skid steer to do the work on March 30, finishing before noon. 

Less than nine miles from where Butler and Kelley disappeared, authorities found a filled-in hole covered with hay at the site. 

During a press conference on Monday, authorities confirmed Butler and Kelley’s deaths. However, the affidavits didn't mention finding their bodies, and no further details were provided. Butler’s children are safe, officials stated on Monday. 

All four suspects are held without bail in the Texas County Jail and are set to appear in court Wednesday morning, according to Texas County Court Clerk Renee Ellis.