TEXAS COUNTY, Okla. – The small community of Texas County, Oklahoma, was rocked by the arraignment of four suspects in connection to the brutal killings of two Kansas mothers. The suspects – Tifany Adams, her boyfriend Tad Cullum, Cora Twombly, and her husband Cole Twombly – were officially charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39. The victims disappeared on March 30 while on their way to pick up Butler’s children for a supervised visit.
The families of the victims packed the courtroom during the arraignment, expressing their emotions as the suspects were brought in. The tension in the courtroom was palpable as family members shouted expletives at the suspects. The victims’ families, devastated by the loss, made their feelings known during the emotional hearing.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the bodies of Butler and Kelley were found in Texas County on Sunday, over two weeks after they went missing. Their remains were discovered about 8 1/2 miles away from where their vehicle was abandoned, hidden on a property leased by Cullum for cattle grazing. The cause of death for both women is pending from the medical examiner’s office.
The investigation into the case revealed a contentious custody battle between Adams and Butler. Butler had filed a petition for more visitation rights just days before her disappearance, highlighting the ongoing dispute. The volatile nature of the custody battle served as a possible motive for the killings.
Vincent Forbes, a local municipal court judge and friend of Cullum, expressed shock and disbelief at the arrests of the suspects. Forbes, who was present during the police raid, described Cullum as a good friend but acknowledged that Adams seemed out of character. The tragedy hit close to home for Forbes, emphasizing the devastating impact on the community.
As the investigation continues, more details emerge about the suspects and the events leading up to the tragic deaths of Butler and Kelley. The community grapples with the aftermath of the brutal crime, seeking justice for the victims and closure for their families.