(NewsNation) — As police continue to investigate the disappearance of two Kansas mothers, sources tell NewsNation that the women were shot near the vehicle where they were last seen. Blood stains were reportedly found.
Investigators have not confirmed those details.
Veronica Butler and Jillian Kelly, both of Hugoton, Kansas, went missing on March 30 after their car was found along a dirt road 300 feet off Oklahoma State Route 95, police said. It is said that it became.
NewsNation previously reported that a small pool of blood was found inside the car, but sources said there was another pool of blood outside the car.
Police said the two women were acquaintances rather than friends. NewsNation reported that Kelly was the supervisor of Butler's childhood visits. Family members, who have been asked to postpone media interviews until further instructions from police, said the two women were involved in the community and church.
The car the two women were in was found in a large vacant lot near Yarbrough School, where Butler graduated in 2015. Even though investigators believe foul play may have been involved in the women's disappearances, they have found few active signs. Massive search.
Butler's family said the two had traveled together to Eva, Oklahoma, to pick up Butler's two children. NewsNation has learned that Butler's children may now be living with their paternal grandmother, who is watching over them.
NewsNation previously reported that Butler and the children's father were embroiled in a bitter custody battle, with Butler filing a lawsuit in court seeking expanded visitation with the children just 10 days before the women went missing. It was reported that he was seeking full custody.
Court filings say things weren't going well between Butler and her grandmother.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said it is searching for the women and will provide information as it becomes available. NewsNation previously reported that the FBI is contributing resources to the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017.
Digital content producer Sean Noone contributed to this report.