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Murdered Kansas moms: New charges filed in deaths of women on road trip

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Murdered Kansas moms: New charges filed in deaths of women on road trip


New charges have been filed against three of the five suspects accused of killing two Kansas moms who disappeared earlier this year while on a road trip to Oklahoma. Some charges have also been dropped.

Last Thursday, the district attorney of Texas County, Oklahoma, filed amended charges against Tifany Adams, Tad Cullum and Cole Twombly, three of the five suspects who are facing charges in the deaths of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, KSNW first reported.

All five suspects were originally charged with two counts of murder in the first degree with deliberate intent, two counts of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree with deliberate intent.

Now, Adams, Cullum and Twombly are no longer charged with kidnapping. Instead, they are now facing two counts of unlawful removal of a dead body — for allegedly removing both bodies from the original place of death and two counts of unlawful desecration of a human corpse — for allegedly disposing of both bodies underground, which, according to authorities, resulted in the loss of evidence.

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COURT DOCUMENTS DETAIL CAUSE OF DEATH FOR MURDERED KANSAS MOMS

The suspects charged in the killings of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation – Authorized Page/Facebook)

Adams is also now facing two counts of child neglect. Adams is reportedly the grandmother of Butler’s children. Court records revealed that Adams was involved in a custody dispute over Butler’s children. The children’s father is in a rehabilitation facility.

The amended document, obtained by KSNW, alleges that Adams exposed a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old to illegal activity by making the children carry ratchet straps around a store the week before Kelley and Butler were killed. The DA believes those straps were the ones wrapped around the freezer in the cow pasture where the bodies were buried. 

BODIES OF MURDERED KANSAS MOMS FOUND BURIED IN FREEZER AS GRUESOME DETAILS EMERGE IN COURT DOCS

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Paul Grice was arrested and booked into the Texas County Jail on two counts of First-Degree Murder, two counts of Kidnapping, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree in connection to the killings of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation)

The other two suspects, Cora Twombly and Paul Grice, are still facing kidnapping charges. All five suspects are still facing charges of murder in the first degree with deliberate intent and conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree with deliberate intent.

In September, Grice waived his right to a preliminary hearing and a speedy trial. His next court date is Feb. 19, 2025, while the other four suspects are expected in court for their preliminary hearings on Dec. 17.

The four belonged to a religiously affiliated anti-government group called “God’s Misfits,” Fox News Digital previously reported. It was unclear if Grice was involved in the anti-government group.

MURDERED KANSAS MOMS SUSPECT BOUGHT TASERS, BURNERS BEFORE WOMEN WENT MISSING, SEARCHED ‘PAIN LEVEL’: DOCS

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Hugoton Assembly of God Pastor Tim Singer tells Fox News that Jilian Kelley, left, and Veronica Butler, right, were heading to pick up Butler’s children to bring them back to a birthday party in Hugoton, Kansas. (Texas County Sheriff’s Office/Oklahoma Highway Patrol/Shutterstock)

Their motive, investigators say, was to get custody of Butler’s two children. 

Court documents said the custody battle involving Butler began in February 2019 “with many hearings and court appearances” and in the weeks leading up to her death, “motions were filed requesting extended visitation for Butler.”

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In April, the Office of the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner positively identified the two deceased persons from Texas County as Kelley and Butler.

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Butler and Kelley were last seen on March 30 heading to pick up their children before their car was found abandoned near the Oklahoma-Kansas border, with foul play suspected, police said.



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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home

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Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home


KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.

As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.

“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”

The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.

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“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”

Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.

“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.

Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.

There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.

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“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.

The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.

“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.

You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal

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Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal


Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.

“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.

“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”

Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.

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He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.

Passengers gather on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport after being evacuated due to a “threat” on March 8, 2026. J McDonough via KCTV

Airport staff gathered on the tarmac in front of a terminal and jet bridge.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, a spokesperson said. Peter Everett via KCTV

FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”

Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.

“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.

Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.

Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.

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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention

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Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention


SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.

Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.

With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.

A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.(Janet Fulgham)

Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.

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“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.

“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.

“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.

Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.

“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.

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Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.



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