Affidavit: Veronica Butler involved in custody dispute with a suspect in her death

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - An affidavit obtained by 12 News indicated that Veronica Butler, one of the Kansas women who went missing in the Oklahoma panhandle before being confirmed dead on Monday, was involved in a custody dispute with a suspect in her kidnapping and death.

The affidavit said Tifany Adams, one of four suspects in the deaths of Butler and Jilian Kelley, was embroiled in a custody battle with Butler. According to the affidavit, Adams is the mother of Butler’s ex-husband, and Butler’s visits with her children were supervised.

Butler’s usual supervisor was unavailable on the day of her disappearance, so another supervisor, Kelley, went with Butler to pick up her kids from Adams. When Butler’s family didn’t hear from her later, they called the police.

Authorities later found evidence of foul play: blood on the roadway, Butler’s glasses lying on the ground, a broken hammer and a pistol magazine in Kelley’s purse, though no weapon.

According to the affidavit, Adams’ cell phone records show she searched for gun shops, tasers and how to lure someone out of their house.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation interviewed the daughter of Cora Twombly, another suspect, referred to as “CW” in the affidavit. CW said she believed Adams, Cora and Cole Twombly, Tad Bert Cullum and another man who has not been arrested were involved in the women’s death.

CW also said Adams provided a burner phone and that the suspects were involved in an anti-government group called God’s Misfits, who met regularly at the Twombly home.

The affidavit said Cora and Cole Twombly came back home on the day of the women’s deaths at noon, told CW to clean their truck, and that they would not have to worry about Butler ever again.

Also according to the affidavit, the Twomblys blocked the road to divert Butler to where Adams, Cullen and the other man who has not been arrested were. That’s where authorities believe the women were killed.

CW’s interview revealed that another attempt to kill Butler happened in February, but Butler did not leave her home.

On March 24, the affidavit alleges, Adams bought five stun guns from Guymon, Okla. More than a month earlier, she bought three prepaid cell phones from a Walmart in Guymon. All three phones pinged the area where Butler’s abandoned car was found, then turned off and back on near a dam 8 1/2 miles away.

A hole had been dug at the dam, with hay-filled in. That was the last time the phones pinged.

Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]