Court document reveals cause of death of two Kansas mothers killed over custody battle

WICHITA, Kansas (KWCH) – A court document released earlier this week describes the cause of death of two Kansas mothers who were killed during a custody battle in Oklahoma.

The information is detailed in the state's brief and is intended to help consolidate a preliminary hearing on the five suspects: Paul Grice, Tad Cullum, Tifany Adams, and Cole and Cora Twombly. All five are charged with the murder of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley.

According to the document, Grice stabbed and killed Butler, injuring himself in the process. He then took Butler and Kelley's bodies to the burial site, where he disposed of his clothing, a stun gun and the knife used in the murder. Grice's clothing, which was found at the burial site, contained DNA from him and Butler.

The document claims that Cullum obtained permission from a landowner to dig the hole where Butler and Kelley were buried. Cullum used his skid steer to dig the hole the day before the murders.

Cullum is accused of stabbing and killing Kelley and burying the freezer containing the two women's bodies in the hole he dug. His clothing and the knife, which contained his and Kelley's DNA, were found at the burial site. Accessories to the knife were found in his home.

The allegations against Adams include that she purchased disposable cell phones at Walmart for the suspects to use to communicate with them. A stun gun she purchased at a Standard Supply store was found at the gravesite. Additionally, yellow belts she purchased at a Tractor Supply store were placed around the freezer where Butler and Kelley's bodies were. She also purchased pants that Cullum placed in the gravesite.

“Adams hated and despised Butler and wanted her dead,” the document states.

Cora and Cole Twombly were allegedly on guard duty on the days of the murders. They trusted their daughter in the hope that it would provide them with an alibi.

“Pursuant to the plan and conspiracy, each defendant played his part in facilitating the murders of Butler and Kelley,” the document states.

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