The bodies of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were discovered buried inside a freezer on an Oklahoma farm after being killed by members of an anti-government group due to a bitter custody battle. Law enforcement found the women after a two-day dig through a cow pasture on land leased by one of the suspects, Tad Cullum. Personal items that did not belong to the women were also found at the burial site, including clothing with bloodstains, a knife, gloves, and duct tape.
The cause of death for the two women has not been revealed, but Oklahoma authorities described the crime as “absolutely brutal.” Butler and Kelley were last seen on March 30 after returning from a trip to Oklahoma to visit Butler’s children, who were with their paternal grandmother, Tifany Adams, one of the five suspects charged with their murders. Kelley was supervising the visit as part of the custody arrangements that Butler had with the children’s father.
The burial site was located 8.5 miles away from where Butler’s abandoned car was found. Adams, Cullum, Cole Twombly, Cora Twombly, and Paul Grice were arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree. Grice, who was present during Cullum’s arrest, showed signs of a recent injury and was later arrested for his involvement in the crimes. Witnesses reported that the suspects were part of an anti-government group called “God’s Misfits” and had religious affiliations.
Grice had asked questions about DNA evidence and the possibility of DNA being found in the burial site, indicating his involvement in the crime. Data from two phones seized from the Twomblys’ truck revealed their presence in the areas where the women were abducted and where the grave was located. Adams had purchased the phones and another device at a Walmart in Guymon. Grice admitted to participating in the killing and burial of Butler and Kelley, providing further evidence of the suspects’ involvement in the murders.
The discovery of the bodies and subsequent arrests shed light on the violent and tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of Butler and Kelley. The bitter custody battle between Butler and the children’s father, along with the alleged involvement of an anti-government group, added layers of complexity to the case. The gruesome burial site and the personal items found alongside the bodies painted a grim picture of the violence inflicted on the two young mothers. The swift action taken by law enforcement in locating and arresting the suspects brought some level of justice to the victims and their families.
The revelations surrounding the murders of Butler and Kelley sparked outrage and horror within the community and beyond. The details of the case, including the involvement of an anti-government group and the chilling questions asked by one of the suspects, added to the sense of shock and disbelief. The arrests and admissions of guilt by the suspects provided some closure for the families of the victims, though the scars left by the brutal crime will take time to heal. The tragic deaths of Butler and Kelley serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those involved in bitter custody battles and the potential for violence that can erupt in such disputes.
