The mother of a Kansas woman, Veronica Butler, who was found dead in a chest freezer buried in an Oklahoma cow pasture, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against five individuals charged with her murder. Amanda Verner submitted the 32-page lawsuit on March 5, 2025, nearly a year after Butler and another woman, Jilian Kelley, disappeared during a supervised visit involving Butler’s children.
- Mother files wrongful death lawsuit in Kansas case
- Victims found in buried freezer, Oklahoma pasture
- Custody battle linked to the alleged murder
- Grandmother involved; multiple defendants charged
- Allegations of falsified records and threats
- Lawsuit seeks damages for expenses and anguish
The tragic case began when Veronica Butler went to pick up her two young children for a court-approved visit on March 30, 2024. Accompanied by Jilian Kelley, both women vanished shortly after meeting Tifany Adams, the grandmother of Butler’s children. Their bodies were later discovered in April inside a freezer buried under dirt and debris on an Oklahoma property.
The lawsuit claims that Tifany Adams conspired to kill Butler to gain control of her grandchildren amidst ongoing custody battles. It is alleged that Adams enlisted the help of four others—her boyfriend Tad Bert Cullum and two relatives, Cole and Cora Twombly—to execute this plan. The bitter custody battle reportedly intensified after Adams made false accusations against relatives of Butler regarding child abuse.
- Butler had been awarded full custody of her children in 2021 but lost it due to allegations made by Adams.
- Adams allegedly purchased weapons and used prepaid phones to coordinate the abduction.
- A medical examination revealed that Butler suffered multiple stab wounds prior to her death.
The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses related to the deaths as well as compensation for emotional distress experienced by Verner and other family members. As legal proceedings unfold, this case highlights serious issues surrounding custody disputes and their potential consequences.
This wrongful death lawsuit underscores the tragic outcomes that can arise from contentious family disputes over child custody. As investigations continue into the events leading up to these murders, families affected by such cases are reminded of the importance of seeking help from legal professionals.
