Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley: Mom-in-law and her BF among 4 arrested in disappearance of 2 women
OKLAHOMA, KANSAS: Four individuals have been apprehended following the disappearance of two Kansas mothers, Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, from Hugoton, Kansas.
The two women went missing on March 30, 2024, after their abandoned vehicle was discovered on the roadside.
Four people arrested in disappearance of two Kansas women
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the suspects, identified as Tad Bert Cullum, 43, Tifany Machel Adams, 54, Cole Earl Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, were arrested in Texas and Cimarron Counties.
All four have been lodged in the Texas County Jail on several charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, as per law enforcement officials.
As reported by NewsNation, Adams is the grandmother of Butler’s children, while Cullum is Adams’ boyfriend. The OSBI and local law enforcement are actively engaged in locating the two victims.
Sources indicate that authorities suspect the women may have been shot, with blood discovered near the vehicle they were last seen in. However, investigators have not yet confirmed these details.
On April 3, OSBI stated that "evidence indicates foul play" based on findings from their vehicle.
Police report that the two women disappeared after their car was located 1,000 feet off Oklahoma State Highway 95 along a dirt path on March 30.
Notably, while initial reports suggested that a small amount of blood was found inside the vehicle, sources now reveal the presence of separate puddles of blood outside the vehicle.
Police have characterized the relationship between the two women as more acquaintances than friends. Further, Kelley served as the supervisor of childhood visits for Butler.
Family members, who have been advised to refrain from media interviews until instructed otherwise by the police, describe the two women as actively involved in their community and respective churches.
Missing women were en route to pick up Veronica Butler's children
The vehicle in which Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley were traveling was discovered in a sprawling, open area close to Yarbrough School, from where Butler had graduated in 2015.
Despite investigators suspecting foul play in the women's disappearance, there have been minimal visible indications of an active, large-scale search.
According to Butler's family, the pair were en route to Eva, Oklahoma, to collect Butler's two children.
These children may currently be in the care of their paternal grandmother, who is looking after them.
News.meaww.com previously detailed that Butler and the father of her children were engaged in a contentious custody dispute.
Just 10 days before the women vanished, Butler had filed a petition in court for increased visitation with her children and was pursuing full custody.
Court documents indicated strained relations between Butler and the grandmother of her children.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has initiated a search for the women and will furnish updates as they arise.
Notably, the FBI is assisting in the search. Individuals with information pertinent to this case are urged to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.
