Grandmother pleads no contest in deaths of two Kansas moms

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A woman accused of killing two Kansas mothers pleaded no contest Tuesday to several charges.

Tifany Adams has been found guilty in Texas County, Oklahoma, of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of unlawful removal of a dead body and two counts of unlawful desecration of a human corpse.

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On March 30, 2024, Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley disappeared on a trip from Hugoton, Kansas, to Oklahoma in order to pick up Butler’s children.

Two weeks later, the women’s bodies were found in a chest freezer, which was buried in a field. Both women had been stabbed to death, authorities said.

Adams is the paternal grandmother of Butler’s children, and authorities said they believed the murders of Butler and Kelley were the culmination of an ongoing custody battle over the kids.

Four other people have been charged in their deaths: Tad Cullum, Cora Twombly, Cole Twombly and Paul Grice. All four suspects were reportedly involved in an anti-government group called “God’s Misfits.”

Court documents accused Adams of purchasing burner phones, stun devices, and straps allegedly used in the killings. Adams’ sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28.

NewsNation‘s Brian Entin contributed to this report.