The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has unveiled detailed findings in the deaths of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, whose violent and tragic killings have gripped the community. Both women were fatally wounded and then concealed in a sealed freezer buried under concrete, a gruesome conclusion to a premeditated crime allegedly tied to a custody dispute.
The Medical Examiner’s Findings
Veronica Butler
The report identifies a total of 30 sharp-force injuries to Butler:
Nine stab wounds and 21 incised wounds primarily on the head, neck, right shoulder, and hands.
Ten wounds suggest attempts to defend herself, indicating a struggle.
Possible stun gun marks were found on the back of her neck and upper back, suggesting incapacitation.
A blunt-force injury was located at the top of her head.
Jilian Kelley
The findings for Kelley detail 15 sharp-force injuries:
Nine stab wounds and seven incised wounds to the head, neck, left shoulder, and hands.
Two wounds are consistent with defensive injuries.
Possible stun gun marks were found on her neck and left shoulder.
The Medical Examiner concluded that both women were likely deceased before being placed in the freezer.
Discovery of the Bodies and Forensic Evidence
The freezer containing the bodies was buried beneath a concrete slab. Additional items recovered beneath the slab included:
A stun gun
A roll of tape
A knife
Clothing
These items were collected by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) as key evidence.
The Custody Dispute and Its Role
Investigators have tied the homicides to a contentious custody battle involving Butler. Butler had been engaged in a dispute with Tifany Adams, 54, over visitation rights to her son, who was undergoing rehabilitation in Oklahoma City. Butler was permitted supervised visits on Saturdays, and Kelley, a pastor’s wife from Hugoton, Kansas, was appointed as the court-authorized supervisor.
This volatile situation appears to have escalated into a meticulously planned crime, involving multiple suspects and premeditated actions.
The “God’s Misfits” Connection
The accused individuals – Tifany Adams, Tad Cullum (43), Cole Twombly (50), Cora Twombly (44), and Paul Grice (31) – were part of a group calling themselves “God’s Misfits.”
Adams allegedly orchestrated the crime, purchasing burner phones and five stun guns to facilitate the plan. Evidence shows Adams searched online for information on pain levels caused by stun guns.
Arrests and Charges
All five suspects face multiple charges, including:
Two counts of first-degree murder
Two counts of kidnapping
One count of conspiracy to commit murder
Paul Grice and Cora Twombly have waived their rights to preliminary hearings, setting their next court appearance for February 19, 2025. Other suspects, including Adams and Cole Twombly, have delayed court dates, leaving uncertainty about future proceedings.
Timeline of Events
March 30, 2024: Butler and Kelley were reported missing while traveling to pick up children. Their vehicle was found abandoned near Highway 95 in Texas County, OK.
April 14, 2024: The OSBI discovered the freezer containing the bodies in a rural area.
October-November 2024: The Medical Examiner released reports detailing the nature of the injuries and the probable cause of death.
Premeditation and Planning
The suspects’ coordination underscores the calculated nature of the crime:
Burner phones were purchased for clandestine communication.
Stun guns were used to potentially incapacitate the victims.
The bodies were concealed in a freezer and buried under concrete to obstruct discovery.
Family and friends, mourn the tragic loss of Kelley, a pastor’s wife and mother, and Butler, a young woman embroiled in a desperate custody battle.
The legal process continues, with additional court appearances expected to shed more light on the case. Investigators remain committed to ensuring justice for the victims.
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