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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (BFMG) — The full autopsy report for one of the two Kansas women found murdered and buried in a remote area of the Oklahoma Panhandle has been released, shedding light on the brutal manner in which 39-year-old Jilian Kelley was killed. The 15-page report, conducted by the Chief Medical Examiner in Oklahoma City, confirms that Kelley suffered a total of 16 sharp force injuries, including 9 deep stab wounds to her neck and head that severed her spinal cord.
According to the autopsy, the injuries were fatal and likely resulted in a rapid death. Dr. Celia Cobb, the Chief Medical Examiner, stated in her report that the spinal cord injury would have caused instant paralysis and the inability to breathe independently.
“Given the nature of Mrs. Kelley’s injuries, including a devastating upper cervical spinal cord injury, it is my opinion that her death was very rapid as she would have likely not only lost her ability to move her body below her head but also her ability to breathe on her own,” Cobb wrote. “It is my opinion, therefore, that she was most likely deceased before she was placed inside the freezer.”
Details of the Autopsy Report
The medical report further reveals that Kelley sustained 7 slashing wounds, with 2 suggesting self-defense injuries, indicating an attempt to fend off her attacker. The examination also found possible taser marks on her neck and shoulder, though the extent of her body’s decomposition prevented forensic experts from confirming this with certainty. The report suggests Kelley was already deceased when she was placed in the freezer alongside her friend, Veronica Butler.
A Chilling Case of Murder & Concealment
In late March, Kelley and Butler vanished while on a trip from Hugoton, Kansas, to pick up Butler’s children. Their car was later discovered abandoned in a remote part of northern Oklahoma, near the Kansas border. After an extensive search, law enforcement officials found their bodies weeks later buried in Texas County, Oklahoma.
The suspects — Tifany Machel Adams, 42; Tad Cullum, 45; Cole Twombly, 50; Cora Twombly, 44; and Paul Grice, 47 — face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy. Adams, Cullum, and Cole Twombly face additional charges related to the desecration of the victims’ bodies.
Prosecutors allege that Adams, who is also the paternal grandmother of Butler’s children, orchestrated the murders, driven by a heated custody battle. According to court documents, Adams purchased tasers and burner phones in the days leading up to the killings. The prosecution also claims that Cole and Cora Twombly acted as lookouts during the murders, later instructing their daughter to provide a false alibi.
Attempts to Conceal Evidence
The autopsy findings reveal further efforts by the suspects to hide their crimes. The freezer containing the bodies was reportedly buried between 4 to 8 feet underground and was weighed down with a heavy concrete slab. Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation discovered additional evidence beneath the freezer, including a taser, tape, and a knife.
While the full motive behind the conspiracy remains unclear, investigators believe Adams’ ongoing custody dispute with Butler played a significant role in the crime.
Legal Proceedings & Gag Order
As the investigation unfolds, prosecutors recently filed additional charges against Adams, including two counts of child neglect related to the case. According to the State of Oklahoma, on March 23, 2024, Adams willingly or maliciously neglected both of Butler’s children (ages 6 and 8) to illegal activity by having each of them carry a ratchet strap purchased at Guymon Standard Supply which was later used to strap shut the freezer containing the deceased bodies of Butler and Kelley.
A preliminary hearing for 4 of the accused individuals is scheduled for December 17. In September, Grice waived his right to a preliminary hearing and a speedy trial. His next court date is Feb. 19, 2025. Due to the high-profile nature of the case, a judge has issued a gag order to prevent further public disclosures. Meanwhile, the autopsy report for Butler is scheduled for release on Nov. 15, potentially providing additional insights to support the state’s case against the accused.
