The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer

The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer

The bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer

Recently unsealed court documents say the bodies of two Kansas women who disappeared in Oklahoma were found in a buried freezer

ByKEN MILLER Associated Press

May 23, 2024, 1:29 PM

    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.

    OTHER NEWS

    15 minutes ago

    Mbappé wants to erase bad memory of decisive penalty miss and leave Euro 2024 as a champion

    15 minutes ago

    Gig for Gaza event in Canberra raises funds for Australian doctors working in Palestine

    15 minutes ago

    Scientists sound alarm after making disturbing discovery in the Amazon: 'We have all this information; now let's act on it'

    15 minutes ago

    Luai stars as Panthers survive Knights scare

    15 minutes ago

    Serbia XI vs England: Predicted lineup, confirmed Euro 2024 team news and injuries today

    15 minutes ago

    Transit expert highlights issues with popular design trend in truck and SUV models: 'It honestly infuriates me'

    15 minutes ago

    Revealed: The ultimate dad jokes this Father's Day, according to AI - so, would they make you laugh?

    15 minutes ago

    UK's 'tallest rollercoaster' Hyperia at Thorpe Park 'breaks down' - with thrill-seekers stuck on ride at 236ft for an HOUR just days after reopening

    15 minutes ago

    Hundreds of Majorcans take over tiny picture postcard cove made famous by Instagram 'influencers' and unfurl banners reading 'SOS Residents' amid Spanish island's anti-tourism backlash against UK holidaymakers

    15 minutes ago

    Woman claims she was fined £200 for littering after seagulls ate a few McDonald's chips she accidentally dropped on the floor

    15 minutes ago

    Can I take legal action if I buy a house with invasive bamboo? And do I need to tell buyers if my home's infested? MailOnline answers your questions about 'Japanese knotweed 2.0'

    15 minutes ago

    Gordon Ramsay is flooded with well wishes from daughter Holly and celebrity pals after chef suffered a horrific cycling accident

    18 minutes ago

    Harry Kane says England start Euro 2024 with ‘the most in-form squad we’ve had’

    18 minutes ago

    How the Euros could change the result of the election

    20 minutes ago

    Sheffield DocFest Confronts Challenges Facing Nonfiction Film Industry, In Midst Of Turbulent Political, Economic Environment

    20 minutes ago

    When you can hear every word, thank the sound mixers

    20 minutes ago

    U.S. Open Complaints Grow After Paywall Frustrations: 'Atrocious' Sound & Graphics Issues Anger Golf World

    20 minutes ago

    Zain Davids, Shilton van Wyk bolster Blitzboks in last-ditch bid for Paris Olympics

    21 minutes ago

    Star Wars Outlaws: Ubisoft reveals details and gameplay of anticipated game

    21 minutes ago

    New poll suggests less than half of Americans plan to buy an EV for their next vehicle — here’s why

    21 minutes ago

    ATP Halle draw: Jannik Sinner finds out first opponent as world No 1 as he lands tricky draw

    21 minutes ago

    Corey Heim notches best Xfinity Series finish at Iowa Speedway

    21 minutes ago

    Biden, Trump step up outreach to Black men

    21 minutes ago

    Four nights in the Maldives taught me something I wish I'd known 10 years ago

    21 minutes ago

    My Spy The Eternal City official trailer

    21 minutes ago

    Jo Cox's sister warns that politicians are still forced to fear for their lives eight years after Labour MP's murder by far-Right thug

    21 minutes ago

    Lady Louise Windsor, 20, borrowed her mother the Duchess of Edinburgh's floral fascinator for Trooping the Colour

    21 minutes ago

    Kevin Campbell tells incredible story of a 14-year-old Wayne Rooney during Southport friendly in resurfaced footage of late striker, after the former England captain paid tribute to his ex-Everton team-mate following his death aged 54

    21 minutes ago

    Thatcherism, austerity, Brexit, Liz Truss... goodbye and good riddance to all that

    21 minutes ago

    Starmer called 'political robot'

    21 minutes ago

    Southgate expects 'everybody to enjoy' England's opening Euros match despite security concerns

    21 minutes ago

    The US Open Contender Who Created His Own Highly-Rated Golf Course

    21 minutes ago

    John Cale's lockdown music fuelled by rage

    24 minutes ago

    Operation Mincemeat: the West End hit is still the perfect mix of ingenious, silly and moving

    29 minutes ago

    Cian Uijtdebroeks feels he needs to slow down a bit: "Sometimes I just want too much"

    29 minutes ago

    Hargreaves Lansdown founders hold keys in £4.7bn takeover battle

    29 minutes ago

    Premier League referee Bobby Madley shares touching memory of Matija Sarkic's brilliant gag on national team duty with Serbia... as he pays tribute to Millwall star after his death aged 26

    31 minutes ago

    Motorcyclist, 23, dies after accident at junction of Bencoolen Street, Stamford Road

    31 minutes ago

    BIG3 Week 1 recap: Highlights, final scores, key takeaways from season opener

    32 minutes ago

    Would the Lloyds share price be higher if the bank was listed in the US?