Content Warning: This summary discusses violent crimes, including murder.
Podcast Summary: "Going West: True Crime" Episode 525 – Veronica Butler & Jillian Kelley
Podcast Information:
- Title: Going West: True Crime
- Host/Author: Dark West Productions
- Description: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman delve into various disappearance and murder cases weekly, uncovering haunting details. New episodes air every Tuesday and Friday.
- Episode: Veronica Butler & Jillian Kelley // 525
- Release Date: August 1, 2025
Introduction & Announcements
Heath Merryman and Daphne Woolsoncroft kick off the episode by sharing exciting news about their upcoming live tour. They announce stops in Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Illinois, inviting listeners in cities like Denver, Dallas, Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta to join them for a spooky yet fun-filled evening featuring games and audience participation.
Daphne (02:25): "We are going to seriously have so much fun. It's going to be worth it to come out with a friend."
They encourage listeners to purchase tickets through their website, emphasizing that these live shows will offer a unique take on true crime beyond the typical format.
Case Overview: The Disappearances of Veronica Butler & Jillian Kelley
Background of Veronica Butler
Veronica Butler, born on February 28, 1997, hailed from a blended Christian family in Hugoton, Kansas. At the time of her disappearance in March 2024, Veronica was a certified nursing assistant pursuing a career as a surgical technician. She was deeply involved in her church, leading the youth group and maintaining a side business selling homemade air fresheners.
Veronica's personal life was complex. She had two children, Cole and Kendall, aged 8 and 6, with her ex-boyfriend, Wrangler Rickman. Their relationship had deteriorated, leading to a contentious custody battle.
Daphne (07:00): "Veronica didn't know a stranger. She could talk to you and you would be friends. Her kids were her world."
Custody Battle and Relationship Struggles
Veronica's relationship with Wrangler was tumultuous, culminating in a split in December 2018. Post-separation, both parties filed for full custody of their children. Wrangler's legal actions were fueled by concerns over Veronica's stability, citing her frequent relocations and alleged neglect. These allegations included claims that the children often returned hungry and occasionally with mysterious cuts.
Heath (08:10): "They’re both kind of pointing the finger at each other and saying, well, you can't take care of the kids."
The court initially awarded Veronica full custody in 2021, but Wrangler contested this in 2022 amidst his legal troubles, including a firearm possession charge that led to rehabilitation.
The Disappearance Incident
Timeline of Events
On March 30, 2024, Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley embarked on a drive from Hugoton to Four Corners, Oklahoma, to meet Wrangler's mother, Tiffany Adams, and pick up their children for a planned birthday party. Shortly before their scheduled departure, both women's phones were abruptly shut off, and they never reached their destination.
Heath (14:55): "On the day that the women vanished... shortly before they were due to pick up the kids, both Veronica's and Jillian's phones were abruptly shut off."
Their abandoned car was discovered near the roadside, exhibiting signs of a struggle. Authorities found substances resembling blood, a broken hammer, Jillian's purse with a pistol magazine, and Veronica's broken glasses.
Daphne (16:00): "The scene of the abandoned vehicle reeked of a crime having occurred there."
Investigation Unfolds: Evidence and Clues
Initial Findings
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) swiftly categorized the disappearance as a potential foul play case. Initial searches uncovered a complex web involving custody disputes, a religious cult, and hidden community secrets.
Suspicious Activities and Discoveries
Investigators unearthed that Tiffany Adams had a history of manipulating custody outcomes, possibly with the assistance of her teenage daughter, referred to as CW in court documents. CW revealed overheard conversations implicating her parents in the planned murders and discovered incriminating evidence like burner phones and blood stains in the pickup truck used during the abduction.
Heath (20:32): "She searched how much pain someone would be in if they were tased... how to lure someone out of their house."
Further scrutiny of Tiffany's search history unveiled disturbing plans for abductions and prior murder attempts, indicating premeditation.
Arrests and Culprits Identified
Between April 13th and April 24th, 2024, five arrests were made in connection to the case:
- Cora and Cole Twombly: Owners of a pickup truck used in transporting the victims' bodies. Found with a handgun, Tasers, and personal items of the victims.
- Tiffany Adams: Identified as the mastermind orchestrating the murders to regain custody of her grandchildren.
- Tad Colom: Tiffany's boyfriend, believed to be directly involved in the physical attacks.
- Paul Grice: A former member of the cult who admitted to stabbing Veronica and later implicated others.
- CW (Cora and Cole's daughter): Played a pivotal role in assisting investigators by providing key information against her parents.
Daphne (31:53): "Cora actually told CW a lot more than that... blocking the road to stop Veronica and Gillian in their car."
Discovery of the Bodies
On April 14, 2024, the remains of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley were found in a remote area of Texas County, Oklahoma. The bodies exhibited multiple stab wounds and other fatal injuries, confirming the violent nature of their deaths.
The Cult Connection: God's Misfits
Introduction to God's Misfits
The investigation revealed that all five individuals involved were members of a fringe religious cult known as God's Misfits. This group, blending Christian beliefs with doomsday prepping, fostered a deep mistrust of governmental institutions.
Heath (37:07): "The leader is known by his followers as Squirrel."
Cult Leader "Squirrel" and Organizational Dynamics
Known as Squirrel, the cult leader based in South Carolina publicly distanced himself from the Oklahoma faction, claiming that God's Misfits had no ties to the murders. However, locally, the Oklahoma group remained aligned with the cult's extremist ideologies, believing in self-sufficiency and resistance against perceived governmental overreach.
Daphne (37:46): "He writes, 'We are not and have never been part of anything in Oklahoma.'"
Sovereign Citizen Ideology and Its Impact
The cult's belief system, heavily influenced by sovereign citizen ideologies, led members like Tiffany Adams to reject governmental authority, including court-imposed custody arrangements. This extremist mindset fueled the plot to eliminate Veronica Butler, whom Tiffany saw as an obstacle to retaining control over her grandchildren.
Heath (42:33): "They don't want the government telling them to do anything."
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
Plea Deals and Trial Preparations
Both Cora and Paul Twombly have agreed to plea deals in exchange for testifying against their co-conspirators. Tiffany Adams and Cole Twombly are scheduled for arraignments on November 5, 2025, with trials slated to commence on May 18, 2026. The prosecution is considering the death penalty, although families are advocating for alternative justice measures.
Heath (49:27): "Tiffany Adams is essentially Charles Manson. She convinced all these people to do her dirty work."
Future Developments
The trial outcomes remain pending, with expectations of further revelations as testimonies unfold. The involvement of multiple family members and the cult's intricate influence present challenges in establishing clear culpability among all participants.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Heath and Daphne wrap up the episode by reflecting on the harrowing nature of the case, emphasizing the ruthless manipulation by Tiffany Adams and the tragic loss endured by Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley. They express anticipation for future updates as the legal process unfolds, highlighting the ongoing impact on the victims' families and the community.
Daphne (53:03): "The cult twist is crazy."
They extend gratitude to listener Brady for recommending the case and invite others to submit cases for future episodes, reinforcing their commitment to uncovering and discussing complex true crime stories.
Notable Quotes:
- Daphne (02:25): "We are going to seriously have so much fun. It's going to be worth it to come out with a friend."
- Daphne (07:00): "Veronica didn't know a stranger. She could talk to you and you would be friends. Her kids were her world."
- Heath (08:10): "They’re both kind of pointing the finger at each other and saying, well, you can't take care of the kids."
- Heath (14:55): "On the day that the women vanished... shortly before they were due to pick up the kids, both Veronica's and Jillian's phones were abruptly shut off."
- Heath (20:32): "She searched how much pain someone would be in if they were tased..."
- Daphne (31:53): "Cora actually told CW a lot more than that... blocking the road to stop Veronica and Gillian in their car."
- Heath (37:07): "The leader is known by his followers as Squirrel."
- Heath (42:33): "They don't want the government telling them to do anything."
- Daphne (53:03): "The cult twist is crazy."
This episode of "Going West: True Crime" delves deep into a tragic case interwoven with familial discord and extremist cult influences, painting a grim picture of manipulation and violence. Heath and Daphne excel in unraveling the complexities, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the events leading to the disappearance and ultimate murders of Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelley.