This week, the community raised enough money to get permanent markers, renaming a stretch of Oklahoma Highway 95 between Kansas and Oklahoma to honor the lives of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. It is the same stretch of road that led the two women to their ambush, attack, and death.

The two mothers were reported missing on March 30, 2024, after driving to Oklahoma from Hugoton to pick up Veroinca’s children from the children’s paternal grandmother. Their vehicle was found abandoned on OK-95 just south of Elkhart, Kansas.

Veronica’s dad, Clint Butler, said they are reclaiming a place marred in evil and violence and marking it with love and honor.
“She wouldn’t want it, because she’s not that way, she’s not the kind of person that’s going to say, ‘well I deserve it so let me have it,’” Clint said.

“She’s going to be like ‘Dad, stop, it’s not about me, it’s about my kids.’ That’s exactly the way she would think,” he continued.

The site where Veronica and Kelley were attacked is already covered with ribbons, flowers, and mementos of support.

Clint’s desire for a permanent tribute is mixed with somber acceptance of his reality.

“Of course, everyone wishes it was a different circumstance, but it is what it is; we can’t change that,” he said.

Those circumstances, rooted in evil, uncovered care.
“The thoughtfulness of everybody, and the concern that they have, and the … the empathy that they have for our family, it means a lot,” Clint said.

When you see the markers on the side of OK-95, Clint wants people to think of Veronica and Kelley.
“Love every single day, no matter what, even if they’re gone, still love, still show love,” he said.

“Even though Veronica may not want this type of recognition, dads always know what’s best, “She does, she does deserve it,” Clint continued.

The GoFundMe to raise money for the markers has already reached its goal; however, it is still active. With any extra money, Clint wants to buy footstones for Veronica and Kelley with their pictures on them.

Background

Two weeks after the two women were reported missing, their bodies were found buried inside a chest freezer. They had been stabbed to death.

Five suspects were arrested the next month: Tifany Adams (the paternal grandmother of Veronica’s children), Tad Cullum, Cole Twombly, Cora Twombly and Paul Grice.
Adams pleaded no contest last year. The cases against the other four are still working through the court system.