In a tragic turn of events, two Kansas women who went missing while on a trip to Oklahoma have been found dead. The authorities confirmed this on Monday, shedding light on a two-week effort to secure the safety of the children involved and apprehend those responsible for the heinous crime.

The victims, 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley from Hugoton, Kansas, were en route to pick up Butler's children for a birthday party in Kansas on March 30. However, they never arrived, and their vehicle was discovered abandoned on a rural highway near the Oklahoma-Kansas state line, showing signs of foul play.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) detailed the intensive operation that took place to locate the missing women, protect the children, and ensure the arrest of the suspects without violence. OSBI Director Aungela Spurlock described the case as a tragedy for everyone involved.

Law enforcement spokesperson Hunter McKee confirmed the deaths of Butler and Kelley and held the four defendants accountable for their disappearance; however, the identities of the bodies recovered are yet to be confirmed by the Medical Examiner's Office.

On Saturday, Oklahoma authorities announced the arrest and charging of four individuals in connection with the case. Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Cole Earl Twombly, 50; and Cora Twombly, 44, have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree. It remains unclear if any of the defendants have legal representation at this time.

Following the arrests, the authorities discovered two bodies in Texas County, Oklahoma. The Medical Examiner's Office will determine their identities and the causes of death.

All four suspects are currently being held without bond in the Texas County Jail, and they are expected to make their initial court appearance on Wednesday morning, according to Texas County Court Clerk Renee Ellis.

This devastating incident serves as a gruesome reminder of the need for swift and thorough investigations to ensure justice for victims and their families. The authorities will continue their efforts to uncover the full extent of this tragedy and provide closure to all those affected by this senseless crime.