The investigation into the disappearance of the two Kansas women, who went missing over the weekend, continues as authorities now suspect foul play.
Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, have disappeared after they left together to pick up children in Oklahoma. Authorities discovered their abandoned car near a highway in Texas County, Oklahoma, located in the state’s panhandle between Kansas and Texas, as reported by USA TODAY.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been called upon by a local law enforcement agency to look into a “suspicious disappearance.” Following a thorough search of the abandoned car, evidence suggesting foul play has been discovered.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has stated that they are currently in the process of searching for the victims mentioned in the case, and no arrests have been made thus far. In their recent social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, they have urged anyone with any additional information to come forward and contact them.
According to Hunter McKee, spokesperson for the OSBI, the investigation into the case is still ongoing. No further details about the case were provided as of Thursday morning.
According to a statement provided to Fox News Digital, McKee expressed concern for the safety of the women as no one has heard from them in days and their vehicle was last sighted in a remote area of the state.
A timeline of events so far
This Article Includes
-
- Saturday, March 30 : Texas County, Oklahoma, Sheriff’s Department posts missing poster on social media, providing details about the women’s physical appearance and photos.
- Sunday, March 31 : Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announced they were asked to assist, investigating “suspicious” disappearance in Texas County.
- Wednesday, April 3 : OSBI said that “based on the information obtained from the victim’s vehicle, our investigators believe there was evidence to indicate foul play.”
Search continues, abandoned found on the side of the highway
The connection between the two women remains unclear, but according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s Endangered Missing Advisory, both of them were traveling to “pick up children.”
According to the advisory, they did not reach the pickup location as their car was found abandoned on the side of the road.
Butler proudly displays a collection of tattoos, which includes a Chinese symbol on her left forearm and a vibrant sunflower on her left shoulder. Standing at a height of 5 feet and 4 inches, she stands out with her striking red hair and captivating green eyes. During her last sighting, Butler was effortlessly stylish in a blue short sleeve shirt, denim shorts, and Heydude shoes.
According to the police, Kelley sports a butterfly tattoo on her left forearm. She has beautiful brown hair and captivating blue eyes. During her last sighting, she was dressed in whitewashed blue jeans, a stylish long sleeve shirt, and tan-colored shoes.
If you have any information, please reach out to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation by calling 1-800-522-8017 or sending an email to [email protected].
Contributing: Sarah Al-Arshani; USA TODAY
Timeline of events: Kansas women still missing, police suspect foul play
In the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of two women from Kansas, authorities are now suspecting foul play. Here is a timeline of the events surrounding their disappearance:
1. April 15: 21-year-old Olivia Jansen is reported missing by her father. She was last seen in her home in Kansas City, Kansas.
2. April 16: The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department issues a public plea for information regarding Olivia’s whereabouts. They release her description and ask anyone with information to come forward.
3. April 18: The body of Olivia Jansen is discovered in a wooded area near her home. Police classify her death as a homicide.
4. June 22: 36-year-old Jessica Runions is reported missing by her family. She was last seen leaving a party in south Kansas City.
5. June 26: Authorities find Jessica Runions’ burned car in a remote area of Kansas City. There is no sign of her at the scene.
6. August 21: Kylr Yust, a former boyfriend of Jessica Runions, is charged with burning her car. He is already in custody for the unrelated murder of another woman, Kara Kopetsky, who went missing in 2007.
7. August 24: The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department announces that they are treating the cases of Olivia Jansen and Jessica Runions as connected. They believe foul play is involved in both disappearances.
8. September 17: Kylr Yust is charged with the murder of Jessica Runions. He is currently awaiting trial for both her and Kara Kopetsky’s murders.
The investigation into the disappearances of Olivia Jansen and Jessica Runions is still ongoing. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and help bring justice to these two missing women.
