Two Kansas women, Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, went missing as they tried to pick up children for a birthday party two weeks ago. Authorities discovered their vehicle along a rural Oklahoma highway with evidence of a bloody confrontation, sparking a multi-agency effort to find the women, secure the children’s safety, and prevent further violence. The women had arranged to meet with Butler’s children’s grandmother at a highway intersection on the morning of March 30 to pick up the children.
Four individuals were arrested on charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder in connection with the women’s disappearance. The suspects included the grandmother, Tifany Adams, her boyfriend Tad Cullum, and another couple Cora and Cole Twombly. All of them were part of a group known as “God’s Misfits.” The arrest affidavits revealed planning involved in the crimes, including the purchase of burner phones and stun guns, as well as discussion of violent acts like throwing an anvil through a windshield to make it look like an accident.
The victims were involved in a custody dispute with Tifany Adams over custody of Butler’s two children. Adams had bought stun guns and other supplies days before the women disappeared, and one of the victim’s lawyers mentioned the likelihood of Butler receiving more time with her children and unsupervised visitation at an upcoming hearing in April. Despite receiving a shared custody ruling from the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, the children were not present during the investigation into the women’s disappearance.
The investigation into the women’s disappearance revealed a planned and brutal crime committed by the four suspects. The bodies of the women were found in a hole that had been dug in a pasture rented by Cullum, not far from the meet-up site. Adams had left the children in the care of another couple who were part of the “God’s Misfits” group while the crime was being committed. The affidavits detailed various pieces of evidence linking the suspects to the killings and the planning that went into the crime.
The suspects implicated in the crimes are currently being held without bond in Texas County Jail pending court appearances. Authorities took precautions to ensure the safety of the children before unsealing the affidavits related to the case. The case is being described as tragic by the authorities involved, with two lives lost and the heinous nature of the crime being emphasized. The investigation is ongoing, with the identification of the bodies and causes of death pending a medical examiner’s report.
The tragic events surrounding the disappearance and murder of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley highlight the devastating consequences that can arise from custody disputes and conflicts. The involvement of the “God’s Misfits” group adds a disturbing element to the case, shedding light on the extreme actions individuals may take in such situations. The focus now turns to seeking justice for the victims and ensuring the safety and well-being of the children involved. The tragic outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the importance of peacefully resolving disputes and conflicts, particularly when children are involved, to prevent such senseless acts of violence from occurring in the future.
