Hugoton, Kansas – Two bodies were discovered in rural Texas County, Oklahoma, culminating a search for two missing Kansas moms that began more than two weeks ago. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) confirmed the grim find on Sunday night.
Authorities stated that the deceased individuals will be sent to a medical examiner’s office for identification and determination of the cause and manner of death. The victims were identified as Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, from Hugoton, Kansas, who went missing on March 30. The two women vanished without a trace, except for their abandoned car found along a dirt path 1,000 feet off Oklahoma State Highway 95.
Following the discovery of the bodies, four suspects, Tad Bert Cullum, Tifany Machel Adams, Cole Earl Twombly, and Cora Twombly, were arrested in Texas and Cimarron Counties. All four individuals were booked into the Texas County Jail on charges including first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit murder.
The investigation involved a significant law enforcement presence, with officers serving arrest warrants and multiple agencies coordinating the apprehension of the suspects. NewsNation captured exclusive footage of the events, showcasing the intense law enforcement operation to bring the alleged perpetrators into custody.
The circumstances surrounding the disappearance and tragic fate of Butler and Kelley have left the community reeling. Kelley, a mother of four, and Butler, a mother of two, were known for their involvement in the local church and community. The unfolding events have devastated congregants at the Hugoton First Christian Church, who gathered for prayer and remembrance following the heartbreaking news.
Prior to their disappearance, Butler and Kelley were enmeshed in a custody battle, with Butler seeking more visitation and ultimately full custody of her children. Their relationship and the custody dispute may have played a role in the tragic outcome that has left six children without their mothers. The community mourns the loss of these two mothers and awaits further developments from the ongoing investigation.