Foul play suspected in missing Kansas moms case
- Veronica Butler, Jilian Kelley of Hugoton, Kansas, are missing
- They were traveling together to pick up children in Oklahoma
- Car found abandoned near Oklahoma State Highway 95
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Update: Oklahoma police have recovered bodies in search for remains of missing Kansas moms.
(NewsNation) — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday that “there was evidence to indicate foul play” in the missing case of two Kansas moms.
Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, from Hugoton, Kansas, disappeared Saturday without a trace except for an abandoned car found by Butler’s fiancé on the side of a road.
Butler’s family says the two were traveling together to Eva, Oklahoma, to pick up Butler’s two children. NewsNation has learned Butler’s children may be living with her ex-husband’s mother, who may have custody.
The car was found empty near a school where Butler graduated in 2015.
A family member informed NewsNation Wednesday they’ve been asked to postpone media interviews until authorities tell them otherwise. Additionally, sources have indicated to NewsNation that Kelley might have accompanied Butler to assist her with a custody matter.
The two moms, described as more “acquaintances” than “friends,” were involved in their community and their churches.
Butler’s small business in Hugoton is closed until further notice as investigators work to find the two moms.
On Saturday, the Texas County Sheriff’s Department requested that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) look into the disappearance of Butler and Kelley.
“As of right now, as the investigation continues and we were requested, we’re unsure where these women are or what happened to them,” said Hunter McKee, OSBI public information manager. “That unknown is what has created it suspicious for us at this time.”
The OSBI said the vehicle the two women were in was found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L south of Elkhart, Kansas.
OHP issued an Endangered Missing Advisory for them.
Yarbrough School, where Butler graduated in 2015, is operating on a lockdown status Wednesday. They first started operating under this status Tuesday.
Butler is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and has red hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, denim shorts and HEYDUDE shoes.
Kelley has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a long-sleeved shirt, white-washed blue jeans and tan or beige shoes.
“Veronica has several tattoos, a Chinese symbol on her left forearm, a sunflower on her left shoulder. Jilian has a butterfly tattoo on her left forearm,” OHP said.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.
