Tragic Details Emerge in Stabbing Death of Kansas Woman Found in Oklahoma Freezer
A Kansas woman who went missing earlier this year was tragically discovered in a freezer, buried in a cow pasture in the Oklahoma Panhandle. A medical examiner’s report has revealed that Veronica Butler, 27, died due to multiple stab wounds, indicating a violent attack.
Autopsy Findings Reveal Brutality
The state chief medical examiner’s office reported that Butler succumbed to sharp force trauma, with a total of 30 stab wounds found on her body. Notably, 10 of these wounds appear to be consistent with defensive injuries, suggesting she fought back against her assailant.
Disappearance and Discovery
Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, 39, who was a court supervisor in a children’s custody case, were last seen on March 30. Their remains were discovered on April 14, less than 10 miles from where they had vanished, according to an affidavit from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
According to the medical examiner, Butler had a laceration on her head that may have been inflicted by a stun gun, and it is believed she was likely deceased before being placed in the freezer and buried.
Legal Consequences and Community Impact
In connection with the case, five individuals have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and kidnapping. The accused are Tifany Adams, her boyfriend Tad Bert Cullum, Cole Earl Twombly, Cora Twombly, and Paul Grice.
Four of the accused are currently being represented by the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. Tim Laughlin, the agency’s executive director, has refrained from making any public comments regarding the case. An attorney believed to be representing Cullum was also unavailable for immediate comment.
A Custody Dispute at the Center of Tragedy
Court documents indicate that Butler and Tifany Adams were embroiled in a custody dispute that began in February 2019. Adams is the mother of the children’s father. The affidavit suggests Butler was seeking extended visitation rights, and her attorney had informed the State Bureau of Investigation that she was likely to receive unsupervised visitation during a scheduled court hearing on April 17.
The affidavit detailed that the children’s father had stated that Adams sometimes denied him the right to see his children despite having legal custody.
The Day of Disappearance
On the day Butler disappeared, she had plans to take her daughter to a birthday party. This tragic incident highlights the complex and dangerous intersections that can arise within family conflicts and custody disputes, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and support for those in similar situations.
