Oklahoma Grandmother Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Killing Two Kansas Mothers in Custody Dispute Ambush
TEXAS COUNTY, OKLAHOMA — An Oklahoma grandmother convicted of murdering two Kansas mothers who were kidnapped during a custody-related trip will spend the rest of her life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to court records.
Life Sentence Handed Down in Double Murder Case
Prosecutors confirmed that Tifany Machel Adams, 56, was sentenced to life without parole after pleading no contest to two counts of first-degree murder and additional felony charges tied to the 2024 killings of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39.
Under the plea agreement, Adams also admitted to two counts of unlawful removal of a dead body and two counts of unlawful desecration of a human corpse. In exchange, prosecutors dropped three additional charges, including conspiracy and child neglect.
Mothers Disappeared While Traveling for Child Visitation
Investigators said Butler and Kelley were traveling on March 30, 2024, from southern Kansas into rural Oklahoma to pick up Butler’s children for a birthday party. Butler shared two children with Adams’ son and had court-ordered visitation every Saturday, with Kelley designated as a court-approved supervisor.
The women never arrived at their destination. Authorities later discovered their abandoned vehicle near Highway 95 and Road L in Texas County, close to the Kansas border. Law enforcement quickly classified the disappearance as suspicious, citing evidence of foul play.
Kidnapping and Murders Linked to Custody Dispute
According to investigators, Adams and several co-defendants intercepted Butler and Kelley on the highway, kidnapped them, and later killed them. A massive search effort lasting more than two weeks ended when the victims’ bodies were found in a rural area of Texas County.
Court documents revealed the murders stemmed from a bitter custody dispute involving Butler and individuals connected to an anti-government group calling itself “God’s Misfits.” Family members told authorities that Adams and several co-defendants identified as members of the group and met regularly.
Multiple Co-Defendants Face Murder Charges
Four additional defendants have been charged in connection with the killings, including Adams’ boyfriend Tad Bert Cullum, Cora Twombly, her husband Cole Earl Twombly, and Paul Grice, 31. All face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit murder.
Cora Twombly and Grice have entered individual plea agreements. Prosecutors confirmed Grice will avoid the death penalty in exchange for his testimony, while Twombly must serve 30 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
Political Role Adds Further Scrutiny
Court records and state officials confirmed Adams previously served as the Republican Party chair in Cimarron County, located in Oklahoma’s western panhandle. State Sen. Nathan Dahm, chairman of the Oklahoma State GOP, acknowledged Adams’ former party role, which drew additional public attention to the case.
Trials Still Pending for Remaining Defendants
Cullum’s trial is scheduled for October 16, though his attorneys have filed motions challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty, calling it “cruel and unusual punishment.” Cole Twombly’s trial is currently set for February 2027, according to court schedules.
The case continues to unfold as prosecutors pursue accountability for all involved in the kidnapping and killing of the two mothers.
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