Oklahoma City, Okla. — In a grim conclusion to a months-long mystery, an autopsy has revealed that two Kansas women, who vanished while on a road trip to pick up their children, were victims of homicide, suffering from multiple sharp force injuries. The findings, disclosed by the Oklahoma medical examiner’s office, mark a chilling development in the investigation into the deaths of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelly, 39.
The tragedy came to light when the pair, last seen alive on March 30, failed to return from their journey to Oklahoma. Their abandoned vehicle was later found near the Oklahoma-Kansas border. An intensive search ensued, culminating in the discovery of their bodies hidden in a chest freezer in a rural cow pasture.
According to reports, the situation around Butler and Kelly’s disappearance rapidly unfolded into a murder investigation with multiple arrests. Among the accused are Timothy Grice and Tad Cullum, who are alleged to have fatally stabbed Butler and Kelly, respectively. Disturbingly, court documents suggest that both suspects tried to conceal evidence by disposing of their bloody clothing and the weapon used in the killings.
Further complicating the case is Tiffany Machel Adams, 54, identified as the grandmother of Butler’s children. Adams, along with her boyfriend Cullum, and another couple, Cole and Cora Twombly, face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. The prosecution contends that the group’s intent was to impede Butler from regaining custody of her children, who were under the care of Adams’ son, Wrangler Rickman.
Rickman, who was in a rehabilitation facility at the time of the murders, was involved in a contentious custody dispute with Butler. Reports suggest that Butler was poised to receive more favorable visitation rights, potentially motivating the brutal attack.
Authorities were led to the victims after a detailed interrogation of the Twomblys’ teenage daughter and scrutiny of Adams’ communication records. It emerged that the group had initially planned a more surreptitious assault involving an unlikely roadside accident, before resorting to more direct violence.
This case has drawn significant attention due to the backgrounds of those involved and the premeditated nature of the crime. The suspects were reportedly part of an anti-government faction known as “God’s Misfits,” which provided a disturbing backdrop to their alleged actions.
Local community leaders, law enforcement officials, and legal analysts have expressed shock and concern over the brutality and coordination of the crime, highlighting the profound impact on the small Kansas community where the victims lived. As the legal proceedings progress, many are calling for a thorough examination of the events leading up to the women’s deaths to ensure justice is served and similar tragedies are prevented.
The revelation of such calculated violence in the heartland has reignited discussions about the safety and security of communities, particularly for those embroiled in custody disputes. The case continues to unfold as further details are expected following the full release of the medical examiner’s report, promising more insights into this tragic and complex narrative.