Current:Home > ScamsThe bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer -AssetLink
The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:40:21
The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer, according to recently unsealed court documents.
The bodies of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, both of Hugoton, Kansas, were found April 14 buried on land in rural Texas County and rented by Tad Cullum, who is among five people charged with kidnapping and killing the two women, according to the documents unsealed March 15.
Also found on the land, which Cullum rented for cattle grazing, were articles of clothing, duct tape and a knife, each “with possible blood on them,” in addition to black tape, electrical cord and a combination stun gun/flashlight, according to the documents.
Cullum, 43, his girlfriend Tifany Adams, 54, both of Keyes, Oklahoma; husband and wife Cole Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, of Texhoma, Oklahoma; and Paul Grice, 31, are each charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping and a single count of conspiracy to commit murder.
All are being held without bail and a gag order in the case prohibits attorneys from commenting on the case.
Investigators have said Butler and Adams were in a bitter child dispute over custody of Butler’s children, who are Adams’ grandchildren.
Butler’s attorney told investigators that Butler was likely to be granted unsupervised visitation during a hearing scheduled just more than two weeks after the two disappeared, the documents state.
Butler and Kelley, who was to supervise a visitation with Butler and her children, disappeared March 30 while driving to pick up Butler’s two children from Adams for a birthday party.
The women’s car was found near the rural highway intersection about 260 miles (418 kilometers) from where Butler was to pick up her son and daughter. Butler’s glasses were found near the car and blood was found on the roadway, according to an arrest affidavit.
The buried freezer with the bodies inside was found about 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) from where the car was found and in the area where prepaid cell phones purchased by Adams were traced, according to the court documents.
A witness also told an investigator the Grice had asked him shortly after the bodies were found how long it would take the state lab to process DNA evidence, how long DNA would tast in dirt, how long DNA would last on clothing in dirt in a 15 feet deep hole and if he knew how to get a “guy and his family” into Mexico, according to documents.
The witness told the investigator that Grice said he was concerned about his DNA being in the hole where the bodies were found “because he had been to the Twombly residence.”
Another witness told Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents that all five suspects were part of “an anti-government group that had a religious affiliation” known as “God’s Misfits” according to an affidavit.
veryGood! (437)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Thomas’ tying homer, Moreno’s decisive hit send D-backs over Phillies 6-5, ties NLCS at 2 games
- Australia decides against canceling Chinese company’s lease of strategically important port
- The leaders of Ukraine and Russia assess their resources as their war heads into winter
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- SAG-AFTRA issues Halloween costume guidance for striking actors
- Chicago and police union reach tentative deal on 20% raise for officers
- SeaWorld Orlando welcomes three critically endangered smalltooth sawfish pups
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Youth football team suspended after parent allegedly shoots coach in front of kids
Ranking
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Democrats denounce Gov. Greg Abbott's razor wire along New Mexico-Texas border: 'Stunt' that will result in damage
- Russian-American journalist detained in Russia, the second such move there this year
- Florida man found guilty of killing wife over her refusal to go on home renovation show
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Eating red meat more than once a week linked to Type 2 diabetes risk, study finds
- Many people struggle with hair loss, but here's what they should know
- DeSantis will call Florida lawmakers back to Capitol to impose new sanctions on Iran
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Greek economy wins new vote of confidence with credit rating upgrade and hopes for investment boost
Former Florida lawmaker who sponsored ‘Don’t Say Gay’ sentenced to prison for COVID-19 relief fraud
Birmingham-Southern sues Alabama state treasurer, says college was wrongfully denied loan
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Basketball Wives' Evelyn Lozada and Fiancé LaVon Lewis Break Up
Saints again fizzle out tantalizingly close to pay dirt in a 2nd straight loss
More than 300,000 student borrowers given wrong repayment information, Education Department says