The quiet countryside of Texas County, Oklahoma, became the backdrop for a horrifying crime in March 2024. The disappearance of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley, later found murdered and concealed in a chest freezer, has sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. Newly unsealed search warrants are shedding light on the alleged involvement of an anti-government group known as “God’s Misfits,” and the complex web of motives that may have led to this tragedy.
This in-depth analysis delves into the details of the case, examining the evidence, the alleged perpetrators, and the chilling circumstances surrounding the murders. We’ll explore the custody battle that appears to be at the heart of the conflict, the alleged planning and execution of the crime, and the ongoing legal proceedings.
Booking photos of the accused: (clockwise from top left) Tad Bert Cullum, Cora Twombly, Cole Earl Twombly, and Tifany Machel Adams. (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation)
A Custody Battle Turned Deadly
At the center of this tragic case is a bitter custody dispute between Veronica Butler and Tifany Adams, the grandmother of Butler’s children. Butler had been granted weekly supervised visits with her children, with Jillian Kelley acting as the court-appointed supervisor. On March 30, 2024, Butler and Kelley were scheduled to meet Adams for a visit, but they never arrived.
This seemingly ordinary custody arrangement masked a simmering conflict, one that investigators believe escalated to violence. The discovery of Butler’s abandoned car, five miles from the intended meeting point, with blood on the ground, broken glasses, and a nearby hammer, painted a grim picture.
Uncovering the Horrific Truth
The subsequent investigation led authorities to a property rented by Tad Cullum, Adams’ boyfriend, for cattle grazing. Search warrants revealed a chilling discovery: the bodies of Butler and Kelley were found inside a chest freezer, buried on the property.
Investigators learned that Cullum and Adams had visited the property owner days before the women’s disappearance, requesting permission to remove a tree stump and fill the resulting hole with concrete. This seemingly innocuous request now appears to be a calculated move to conceal their horrific crime. The search of the property yielded not only the freezer containing the victims’ bodies but also clothing with suspected bloodstains, a roll of duct tape, a saw handle, a knife, and a taser/flashlight.
A Premeditated Plan?
The search warrants also provide disturbing details about the escalating tensions in the custody battle. Butler and Adams were due in court on April 17, 2024, where Butler was expected to be granted unsupervised visitation. Adams’ son, Wrangler Rickman, who had legal custody of the children, allegedly told his mother a month before the murders that they wouldn’t have to worry about the custody battle much longer because Adams “had it under control.” He allegedly referenced knowing the judge’s route to work and suggested they would “take Veronica out.” While Rickman was in rehab on March 30 and has not been charged, his alleged statements raise troubling questions.
A trailer seized by investigators, allegedly seen near Veronica Butler’s abandoned vehicle. (Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation/Court Evidence)
Furthermore, investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that this wasn’t the first time Butler had been targeted. According to the search warrant, Adams, Cullum, and Cora Twombley allegedly drove to Butler’s home in February 2024, but Butler did not come outside. This incident aligns with a web search found on Adams’ phone about how to lure someone out of their house. Detectives also uncovered a prior plan to kill Butler in Kansas by throwing an anvil through her windshield, exploiting the prevalence of anvils falling off work trucks in the area.
“God’s Misfits” and the Anti-Government Connection
The four suspects – Cole and Cora Twombley, Tifany Adams, and Tad Cullum – have been linked to an anti-government group with religious affiliations, calling themselves “God’s Misfits.” The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is exploring the potential influence of this group’s ideology on the alleged crimes. A trailer, allegedly seen near Butler’s abandoned car at the time of the disappearances, has also been seized as evidence.
Justice Sought
All four suspects have pleaded not guilty and are being held without bond. The case continues to unfold, with investigators piecing together the events leading up to the murders and the roles of each individual involved.
The Path Forward
This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of escalating conflicts and the potential dangers lurking within extremist ideologies. As the legal proceedings continue, the community and the families of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley await justice and answers. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of the alleged plot and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.
