Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley: Internet prays for 'safe return' as foul play suspected after two women go missing on school run

TEXAS COUNTY, OKLAHOMA: Authorities have revealed suspicions of foul play in the search for two missing women from Kansas, following the discovery of their abandoned car on the side of the road in Oklahoma.

The Texas County Sheriff's Department, in a press release shared on Facebook on Saturday, March 30th, declared their active involvement in the search efforts to locate 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley.

Investigators disclosed on Wednesday, April 3rd, that evidence indicating foul play has been unearthed in the investigation into the disappearance of the two women as per KAKE news.

What did the missing woman's friend claim?

Residents of Hugoton cling to hope amid the uncertainty, finding each passing day without news of Jillian and Veronica increasingly difficult.

Travis Woodworth, a friend, claimed, "Not knowing anything. Not knowing if they're here in Kansas still or in Oklahoma or where they're at."

It's been a challenging week for Woodworth and the entire community of Hugoton after Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley, two women, disappeared on Saturday night.

Drelee Houtz, another friend of the missing women, "Nothing like that really happens around here so, one it was a shock, it was her of all people."

Drelee Houtz and Woodworth are both acquainted with Butler. They describe her as someone who illuminates any space she enters and consistently shares her infectious smile. The news of her disappearance is profoundly distressing to them.

Woodworth added, "My heart just dropped. Like it's been a very heartbreaking week, Lots of sleepless nights."

Authorities disclosed that the two women departed Hugoton on Saturday to pick up children in Oklahoma. Their vehicle was discovered just south of the Kansas border in Texas County.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has stated suspicions of foul play, offering no further details. Despite maintaining optimism, residents remain anxious about the situation

Woodworth concluded, "There's still hope but you never know in a situation like this. Because they could still be out there but it could just be they could be really badly hurt."

Houtz concluded, "If you could pray for the family and pray for Tracey he is really beaten up. I can assure you he's not sleeping. Not sleeping at all."

Description of missing women Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley

As per the Texas County Sheriff's Department, Butler is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall with red hair and green eyes, while Kelley has brown hair and blue eyes.

Butler was last seen wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt, denim shorts, and HEYDUDE gym shoes, while Kelley was dressed in white-washed blue jeans, a short-sleeve shirt, and tan or beige shoes at the time of their disappearance.

Both women have distinctive tattoos. Butler has a Chinese symbol on her left forearm and a sunflower on her left shoulder, while Kelley has a butterfly tattoo on her left forearm.

Kelley, a resident of Hugoton, Kansas, is married to Heath Kelley, who is set to become the minister at Willow Christian Church in Indianola, Nebraska.

Anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to contact the OSBI at 1-800-522-8017 or via email at tips@osbi.ok.gov.

Internet prays for missing women 

During the search for the missing women, internet users have heightened their prayers and shared their sentiments on Facebook.

One user claimed, "I pray they are found safe." Another commented, "This is so bad.. I pray for protection were ever they are 🙏🙌😪."

A third user said, "This is so sad ...I pity their families... I pray they are found with good health" A fourth user penned, "🙏🙏🙏for their safe return ‼️"

The last user questioned, "Why did they stop their car? Did someone they know, wave them down? Did they leave their purse and phone in the car?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.