Two bodies found earlier this week have been identified as Veronica Butler & Jilian Kelley. The two mothers disappeared on March 30 while traveling from Elkhart, Kansas to pick up Butler’s children in Eva, Oklahoma.
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.
On April 13, 2024, four people were taken into custody in connection with Butler & Kelley’s disappearance, including the grandmother of Butler’s children. Butler was going through a divorce at the time of her disappearance, and was reportedly in a nasty custody battle with her husband.
The following day two bodies were found during a search of the area where their car was found. The bodies were positively identified as Butler and Kelley on April 16.
The four individuals taken into custody have been charged with murder in connection with their deaths.
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.
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.
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