Kansas Grandmother Charged with Murdering Two Mothers in Custody Dispute

Tifany Adams, a 54-year-old grandmother and member of the fringe group "God's Misfits," has been charged with the kidnapping and murder of two Kansas mothers, Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. The tragic incident occurred on March 30, 2024, amid a custody battle between Adams and Butler over Adams' grandchildren.

According to authorities, Butler and Kelley went missing while on their way to pick up Butler's children at a location called Four Corners in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Their car was later found with evidence of a severe injury, including blood on the roadway. Adams, who is the paternal grandmother of Butler's children, had called Butler that morning to cancel the visitation, but the women never made it to the meeting spot.

Investigators arrested Adams, her boyfriend Tad Bert Cullum, and two other members of the God's Misfits group, Cole Earl Twombly and Cora Gayle Twombly, in connection with the deaths of the women. The group is described as an anti-government, religious-affiliated organization that held regular meetings. A 16-year-old girl, the daughter of Cora Twombly, told investigators that the group had planned to kill Butler in February and had blocked the road to divert the women to where Adams, Cullum, and another member, Paul Grice, were waiting. The girl also said that Kelley was killed because she had supported Butler.

Why this matters: This disturbing case highlights the dangerous repercussions of custody battles and the potential for extreme actions by individuals involved in fringe groups. The tragic deaths of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley have shocked the community and underscore the importance of addressing the deeper issues that can lead to such violent outcomes.

Adams, who was described as an "unhinged" conspiracy theorist by an acquaintance, had frequently posted disturbing messages on social media. Leanne Webb, the acquaintance, stated, "Tifany was always posting about government conspiracies and the end of the world. She seemed to get more and more unhinged over time." The founder of the God's Misfits group has attempted to distance the organization from the murders, claiming that the killings were part of a custody dispute and not related to the group's teachings.

The four defendants have been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy, and have pleaded not guilty. They are currently being held without bond and are due in court for preliminary hearings next month. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to unravel the full extent of the conspiracy that led to the women's deaths and bring justice to the victims and their families.

Key Takeaways

• Tifany Adams, a grandmother, charged with kidnapping and murdering 2 Kansas mothers.
• Custody battle between Adams and Veronica Butler over Adams' grandchildren led to the killings.
• Adams, her boyfriend, and 2 others from the "God's Misfits" group arrested for the murders.
• The group is described as an anti-government, religious-affiliated organization with extremist views.
• Defendants charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy; pleaded not guilty.