In late March 2024, the small town of Hugoton, Kansas was rocked by the sudden disappearance of two local women, Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39. The two women disappeared on March 30 as they were traveling from Hugoton to Texas County, Oklahoma, to collect Butler’s two children during a legally mandated visitation. Authorities also noted that Butler planned to take her children to a birthday celebration.
Butler and Kelley did not make it to the birthday party, which led Butler’s family to start looking for them. According to a police affidavit, family members discovered their abandoned vehicle near the intersection of Highway 95 and Road L in Texas County and subsequently contacted emergency services by dialing 911.
Local law enforcement reported that deputies discovered signs of foul play, prompting the Oklahoma State Bureau to initiate an investigation into what they deemed a “suspicious disappearance.”
Tragically, the investigation took a grim turn when human remains were discovered in rural Texas County, Oklahoma. After anxious days of waiting, on April 16, the remains were identified as those of Butler and Kelley. The confirmation brought a heart-wrenching closure to families and a community clinging to hope.
Shortly after the discovery, authorities announced the arrest of four individuals concerning the disappearance: Tad Bert Cullum, 43, Tifany Machel Adams, 54, Cole Earl Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44. Charges against them include two counts each of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit murder. Disturbingly, the suspects were alleged members of an obscure, anti-government religious sect known as “God’s Misfits.” According to a police affidavit reported by a local media outlet, Adams was embroiled in a contentious custody dispute with Butler, who has two children with Adams’ son, Wrangler Rickman.
Family members of Butler and Kelley have established GoFundMe campaigns to support their families during this difficult time.
In a plea for community support, Monica Berrera, Butler’s cousin, shared a heartfelt message in a fundraising campaign: “We are completely devastated by this news. Please consider giving to this beloved family in the hope that we can help reduce some of their burden.” To date, the campaign has successfully raised over $4,500 in donations.
A separate campaign for Kelley has also been set up, raising nearly $5,000. It states, “As the undesirable outcome was announced that Jillian’s life has been taken, we are asking for help by making any donation to lessen the financial burden brought forth on the Kelley family.”
The four suspects were presented separately in a Texas County courtroom on Wednesday, April 17. The state requested that the bond be denied, and none of the suspects had legal representation during the proceedings.
The prosecution alleged that the suspects conspired to lead Butler and Kelley to the intersection of Highway 95 and Road L, subsequently moving them to another location where the women succumbed to their injuries.
Mosley noted that the courtroom atmosphere was charged with emotion. Butler’s father, overcome with anger, shouted insults at the suspects and had to be restrained.
During the hearing, Adams remained quiet and looked downward, while Cora Twombly frequently shook her head, particularly when the charges were read. Cole Twombly, in a statement to Mosley, denied any involvement in the deaths of Butler and Kelley.