Update: On April 14, 2024, two bodies were found in rural Oklahoma; authorities are currently working to identify them.
Four people have been taken into custody in connection with the disappearance of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. They were taken into custody on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. All four are being processed in Texas County.
On March 30, 27 year old Veronica Butler and 39 year Jilian Kelley were traveling together to pick up Butler’s children when they disappeared.
Their car was found abandoned near Interstate Highway I-95 and Road L in Texas County, Oklahoma, a rural area about three miles north of Eva near the Kansas border. Blood was found inside and near the vehicle, according to News Nation.
Butler was going through a divorce at the time of her disappearance, and was reportedly in a nasty custody battle with her husband. One of the individuals taken into custody today was Tiffany Adams, the grandmother of Butler’s children.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is still searching for the two missing women. No further details have been released.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Veronica Butler & Jilian Kelley please contact the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at (800) 522-8017.
BREAKING in Kansas missing moms case: Tiffany Adams and her boyfriend were booked in the Texas Co. Jail.
Adams is the grandmother of and currently has custody of Veronica Butler’s kids. Butler and Jilian Kelley were going to pick up the kids 2 weeks ago when they vanished. pic.twitter.com/WKzEQ5e6tp
— Brooke Shafer (@BrookeShaferTV) April 13, 2024
DEVELOPING: Extraordinary law enforcement activity right now in the Oklahoma panhandle, likely linked to the case of missing Kansas moms, #VeronicaButler and #JilianKelley.
At one point, over 20 vehicles, including SWAT, in convoy. @NewsNation pic.twitter.com/LYvpCQBjzs— Nancy Loo (@NancyLoo) April 13, 2024
The Disappearance of Veronica Butler & Jilian Kelley
27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley were last seen in Texas County, Oklahoma on March 30, 2024. The two mothers disappeared while traveling from Elkhart, Kansas to pick up Butler’s children in Eva, Oklahoma.
Background
In 2024, Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley were residents of Hugoton, Kansas.
Jilian Kelley was married to the previous pastor of Hugoton First Christian Church with whom she had four children. She worked as a secretary at the church and runs its children’s programs.
Veronica Butler was also a member of Hugoton First Christian Church. She has two children with her ex, with whom she was currently in a custody battle with.
Disappearance
On March 30, 2024, Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley made the 16 mile trip from Elkhart, Kansas to pick up Butler’s 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son at their grandmother’s house in Eva, Oklahoma.
The two acquaintances were supposed to bring the children back to Hugoton, Kansas to celebrate Butler’s daughter’s birthday, but the trip ended up three miles short of their destination.
Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley never showed up to the children’s grandmother’s house on the 30th, and haven’t been heard from since.
Their vehicle, a blue Kia SUV, was found abandoned by Texas County Sheriff’s deputies near Interstate Highway I-95 and Road L in Texas County, Oklahoma, a rural area about three miles north of Eva near the Kansas border.
Investigation
Foul play is suspected in Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley’s disappearance based on what was found in their vehicle, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators declined to say what evidence was found, citing the ongoing investigation.
Going through a divorce that was not amicable , were they been followed by unknown persons , and that her friend was at the wrong place at the wrong time , knowing the circumstances and the situation involved ? .