The body of Veronica Butler, a 27-year-old Kansas mother who went missing in late March, was discovered buried in a freezer in a cow pasture in the Oklahoma panhandle. Authorities believe her death, along with that of 39-year-old Jilian Kelley, stemmed from a long-standing child custody dispute. Kelley was a court supervisor involved in the custody case. The two women were reported missing on March 30 while en route to pick up Butler’s two children, ages 6 and 8.
Butler’s body was found on April 14, less than 10 miles from the location of her disappearance. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Butler suffered 30 stab and cut wounds, including 10 defensive wounds. A medical examiner’s report revealed that she likely died quickly from sharp force trauma and was already deceased when placed in the freezer. Evidence also indicated she had a laceration on her forehead consistent with being struck by a stun gun.
The bodies were found on a property rented by one of the suspects, Tad Bert Cullum, for cattle grazing. Investigators identified five suspects who have since been charged with murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The accused include Tifany Adams, who was at the center of the custody dispute; her boyfriend, Cullum; Cole Earl Twombly; Cora Twombly; and Paul Grice. Four of the suspects are being represented by the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.
The custody dispute is believed to have been a driving factor in the killings. Court documents show that Butler had requested extended visitation rights shortly before her disappearance. Her attorney stated she was likely to receive unsupervised visitation during an April 17 hearing, days after her body was found. Adams, the child’s paternal grandmother, allegedly withheld custody from Butler and the child’s father despite his legal rights, adding tension to the situation.
The tragic series of events unfolded when Butler and Kelley disappeared on March 30. Blood was later discovered near their abandoned vehicle off Oklahoma State Highway 95. Butler had planned to take her daughter to a birthday party that day. Investigators believe the women were attacked and killed shortly after their disappearance.
The grisly discovery has shocked the local community and drawn national attention to the dangers of contentious custody disputes. Authorities continue to investigate as the suspects await trial.
