CBS News
4 suspects in murder of Kansas moms denied bond
The four suspects charged with murdering two Kansas women in Oklahoma were denied bond Wednesday, as prosecutors alleged one of them provided a statement “indicating her responsibility” in the killings, court records show.
Tifany Adams, 54, her boyfriend Tad Cullum, 43, Cole Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44, are each charged with two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder.
The judge entered not guilty pleas for all four, who are accused of killing Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39. The two Kansas women disappeared March 30 while on their way to pick up Butler’s children from a birthday party in nearby Oklahoma.
According to a motion to deny bail to the four suspects, prosecutors claim that, after Adams was arrested, she “did provide a recorded statement to law enforcement indicating her responsibility for the death of the deceased.”
“Adams, Cullum, Cora and Cole have resources sufficient to organize and execute a complex murder,” an affidavit stated. “Therefore, they also have the resources to flee if given the opportunity.”
Family members of the deceased were at the courthouse Wednesday to confront Butler and Kelley’s alleged killers.
Bryson Butler, Veronica Butler’s younger brother, told CBS affiliate KFDA, “just hope justice is served.”
“How can you hate somebody so much that you want to kill them? How can you hate the mother of your grandchildren so much that you want to end her life?” Butler’s aunt told KFDA.
Adams is the paternal grandmother of Butler’s children, and the two had been in a custody dispute before Butler’s death. At the time of her disappearance, Butler was only allowed supervised visits with her children on Saturdays, and Kelley was the supervisor that day, according to an affidavit.
The car the two women had been traveling in was found on the side of the road in late March, and evidence, including blood and a broken hammer found nearby led authorities to believe they disappeared as a result of “foul play.”
Butler and Kelley remained missing for two weeks until their bodies were found on April 14, one day after the four suspects were arrested. According to an affidavit, their bodies were found on property that was leased by Cullum, and a stun gun was also found at the site.
Authorities claim data from Adams’ phone showed that she searched for “taser pain level, gun shops, prepaid cellular phones and how to get someone out of their house,” according to the affidavit.
According to authorities, all four suspects belong to an anti-government group called “God’s Misfits” that met weekly at the Twomblys’ home and other locations. The group had allegedly tried to kill Butler before, including by attempting to lure her out of her home in Kansas, according to a teenage witness who spoke to investigators.
Authorities believe Adams allegedly killed Butler because there was a possibility she would have been granted unsupervised visits with her children during a hearing that had been scheduled for April 17.
“Adams vehemently opposed this and went to great lengths to plan and purchase items used in Butler and Kelley’s murder,” an affidavit stated.
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$100 million in federal funds released for North Carolina to rebuild roads, bridges damaged by Helene
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation released $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to rebuild its roads and bridges damaged by Helene.
“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”
The storm caused rampant flooding that has devastated several towns and killed more than 225 people – with CBS News confirming at least 114 people killed in North Carolina. There was more than 8 inches of rain across the western North Carolina mountains, with some areas seeing more than a foot.
Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, leading to an increase in air traffic as teams scour the region for survivors by air. Air traffic over Western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts since the storm cleared, the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Mudslides blocked Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina and about 400 roads were closed due to damage from Helene. Interstate 40 was damaged at several locations, the Department of Transportation said.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, surveying the flood damage by air from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Biden announced the federal government would cover “100%” of all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to their damaged facilities.
Li Cohen and
contributed to this report.
CBS News
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf; forecast to strengthen into hurricane headed toward Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane headed toward Florida with possible impacts to its western coast, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are expected to be at 40 mph with higher gusts and Milton is currently moving north-northeast, NHC said in an advisory.
Milton is forecast to undergo a period of rapid intensification before it makes landfall as a Category 2 hurricane across Florida’s west coast, CBS News Miami reported.
The forecast comes a little more than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and across the Southeast, killing more than 200 people and causing immense destruction. President Biden on Thursday took an aerial tour of Florida’s Big Bend where Helene struck as a Category 4 storm. Hundreds of people are still missing and Mr. Biden said the work to rebuild will cost “billions of dollars” as communities suffer still without power, running water and passable roads.
NOAA
Milton is forecast to move across the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through Sunday night then across the south-central Gulf on Monday and Tuesday before reaching Florida’s west coast by the middle of the week, NHC said. Heavy rain is possible in the region starting Sunday into Monday, CBS Miami reported, and more rain and heavy winds will most likely arrive on Wednesday. Hurricane and storm surge watches will most likely be required for portions of Florida starting Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Along with the heavy rainfall, the hurricane center said to expect risks of flooding.
Residents in the area should ensure they have a hurricane plan in place, the National Hurricane Center said, follow the advice of local officials and check back for forecast updates.
