Texas County, Oklahoma — Four suspects arraigned in connection to the murders of two Kansas mothers were denied bond by a judge in an Oklahoma court. Paternal grandmother Tifany Adams, her boyfriend Tad Cullum, Cora Twombly, and her husband Cole Twombly have been charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39.
The victims disappeared on March 30 while on their way to pick up Butler’s children for a supervised visit. Families of the victims attended the arraignment, expressing their anger towards the suspects. Emotions ran high during the hearing, with family members shouting expletives at the defendants as they were brought into court.
During the arraignment, Butler’s aunt Ladonna Thompson expressed disbelief at the tragic loss of the two women. Thompson highlighted the senselessness of the killings, emphasizing that neither Butler nor Kelley deserved such a fate.
The bodies of Butler and Kelley were discovered by authorities in Texas County, Oklahoma, just over two weeks after their disappearance. The remains were found near where their vehicle was abandoned off Oklahoma State Highway 95.
Butler and Kelley were in the midst of a custody battle with Adams at the time of their deaths. Court documents revealed a contentious legal struggle between Adams and Butler, with Butler seeking more visitation rights and full custody of her children.
Investigators believe that the custody battle played a significant role in the killings. The suspects, allegedly part of an anti-government religious group called “God’s Misfits,” met weekly at the Twomblys’ residence, according to court documents.
The investigation is ongoing, with police towing a white trailer from a property linked to Cullum. Evidence from Adams’ cellphone searches and statements from the Twomblys’ daughter shed light on the events leading up to the murders.
Vincent Forbes, a local judge and friend of Cullums, expressed shock at the arrests, describing Cullum as a good friend. Forbes’ decision to speak out about the case led to his resignation under pressure from local officials.
The tragic events surrounding the murders of Butler and Kelley have deeply affected the community, prompting reflection on the complexities of human nature and the devastating impact of violence.