UPDATE 2/14/20
Adam and Amanda both pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with evidence, theft and felon in possession of a firearm.
Both remain in jail. Trials for them are set for May 11.
So far, no one has been charged with the Butler’s murder.
UPDATE 11/08/2019:
Adam Curtis Williams, 33, and Amanda Noverr appeared separately before the judge on charges of felony theft. Both were given court appointed attorneys and told to leave the courthouse to meet with their attorneys.
Adams attorney asked for a bond reduction as well as a gag order on the prosecution and law enforcement, and the removal of cameras from the courtroom. The defense argued that cameras could put Williams’ right to a fair trial at risk. Judge will review.
There was no mention of the Butlers or any possible connection with the homicides during either hearing.
ORIGINAL POST:
James Butler, 48, and his wife, Michelle Butler, 46, were traveling through Texas on their way to Florida when they went missing October 15, 2019. On October 27, remains were found in a shallow grave near where the couple was last seen. Two bodies were partially clothed and dental films were sent to the medical examiners. A man’s body was found beneath the woman’s. On November 1st law enforcement confirms the remains found were James and Michelle Butler.
The couple is from Rumney, New Hampshire and always kept close contact with family when traveling. James Butler was retired from the U.S. Navy and is now a full time RV’er with his wife, Michelle. They’ve been traveling in their RV since June 2018, and according to facebook posts, this was not their first trip to Texas.
Below is a timeline of events in this case.
- October 15: Checked out of Padre Balli Campground at noon.
- October 15: Last Facebook post was setting up on Burners Beach near Corpus Christi, Texas
- October 15: Michelle last spoke to her son.
- October 16: Last known text, around.
- October 16: The couple’s phones were turned off
- October 17: Missed a scheduled Facetime with their granddaughter to see her open a package they sent from Flour Bluff.
- October 19: Camper last seen on Burners Beach without their truck.
- October 21: RV and truck were gone. GPS devices could not detect their vehicles.
- October 21: Truck and RV are seen crossing the border into Mexico through the checkpoint in Eagle Pass. The man driving was NOT James Butler – This is not know by LE or family until days later.
- October 23: At approximately 8a.m. a missing person’s report was filed on the couple.
- October 23: A Kleberg County deputy went to Padre Balli Park, where the couple was last seen, and learned that they had rented RV space at the park from Monday, Sept. 30, to Monday, Oct. 14.
- October 23: They learned that the Butlers were traveling in a 2018 silver truck and were pulling a white Cedar Creek RV.
- October 27/28: Two bodies are found in a shallow grave, buried in the sand, where the Butlers were camping. The remains are severely decomposed and the Sheriff is hesitant to say who it is.
- November 1: Authorities reported that the bodies were indeed the Butlers. They are not releasing the cause of death because it was an important part of their investigation.
- November 4: Kleberg County finally released a photo from the surveillance footage, showing a man and woman driving the truck across the border.
- November 5: the man was identified as Adam Curtis Williams and the woman was identified as Amanda Noverr. They are from Utah. His arrest record – this is nowhere near his complete record and the gap is most likely due to a prison sentence but it gives you an idea of what this man is capable of.
- 2019 Aggravated Assault 1st degree
- 2019 Assault by Prisoner 3rd degree
- 2019 Aggravated Assault 3rd degree
- 2019 Interference with Arresting Officer
- 2019 Intoxication
- 2019 Unlawful Purchase by Interdicted Person
- (Warrant issued 10/8/19 for failure to appear on the above charges)
- 2019 Object Rape 1st degree
- 2019 Forcible Sodomny 1st degree
- 2019 Forcible Sexual Abuse 2nd degree
- 2019 Restraining Order
- 2010 Distribute/Offer/Arrange Distribution of Controlled Substance 2nd Degree
- 2010 Distribute/Offer/Arrange Distribution of Controlled Substance 1st Degree
- 2010 Possession with Intent to Distribute 1st Degree
- 2010 Possession with Intent to Distribute 1st Degree
- 2010 Possession with Intent to Distribute 1st Degree
- 2010 Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Restricted Person 2nd degree
- 2010 Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Restricted Person 2nd degree
- 2010 Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Restricted Person 2nd degree
- 2010 Theft by Receiving Stolen Property 2nd degree
- 2010 Theft by Receiving Stolen Property 2nd degree
- November 5: Officials say Judge Jack Pulcher of Nueces County signed off on the arrest warrant for Williams.
- November 5: A bond has been set at $1million.
- November 6: Adam Curtis Williams, 33, was captured by authorities in Jalisco, Mexico. (WAY TO GO MEXICO!!)
- November 6: Williams was extradited back to Kleberg County, Texas where he faces a felony theft charge. Amanda Noverr, who is being called a person of interest in the case, was also found by Mexican authorities. Noverr remains in custody in Mexico, to be extradited on Thursday 11/7. Noverr has a 1 million bond set as well.
On Thursday November 11th a press release was held. Authorities have also released the arrest affidavit for Adam Curtis Williams. A few things we know from the affidavit. READ WARRANT BELOW
- On Monday, Nov. 4, investigators observed body camera footage of a traffic stop on Malequite Beach in which a Park Ranger stopped a vehicle belonging to Adam Curtis Williams. He was issued a citation for not wearing a seat belt.
- The Kleberg County Sheriff’s Office contacted wrecker services in hopes of finding Williams’ truck. It was learned that his truck had been found abandoned in the parking lot of Weber Bingo. The wrecker service said they had received calls about it from Weber Bingo on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Oct. 17-19. The truck was towed away on Saturday, Oct. 19.
- Authorities also learned that a Padre Island Camping Registration form had been filled out by a Tori Williams with a Utah driver’s license, listing a silver truck and tan trailer as their vehicles.
- He is expected to make a court appearance at 8:30 a.m. Friday before Judge Jack Pulcher.
The arrest warrant really makes me wonder when the two couples met up. Did they become friendly and gain the trust of The Butlers prior to the murders? Did the Butlers mention any new people the met to family during that last call they made? Why did “TORI WILLIAMS” from Utah, register the Butlers vehicles at the park as hers/his? When was it registered and how long were they planning this murder for?
Did the Butlers even send that last text on the 16th? We do know they checked out of camp on the 15th. Is this when they met the couple? Did the the butlers even make the facebook post themselves? So many unknowns. It makes me sad for their families. This is a trial I will definitely be following and updating this blog as events occur.
RE: “Authorities also learned that a Padre Island Camping Registration form had been filled out by a Tori Williams with a Utah driver’s license, listing a silver truck and tan trailer as their vehicles.”
It was said by the youtuber who did his v-log on the beach that AN and ACW were also camping on the beach with their own (later abandoned) vehicle and a very delapidated trailer. I think he was the one who first mentioned the child with them. I do not believe the Butler’s trailer was “tan”. I believe their’s was a white “Cedar Creek”. The suspects were said to have a “Prowler” brand trailer which may have been “tan”, but I have seen no photos or description of it.
The date of that camping “Tori Williams” registration would be pertinent, but they may have registered their own on the beach. Also pertinent it was noted by the youtubers was that there was very little (or no) activity around the Butler’s trailer while they were in the Padre Balli campground, which is unusual behavior for RV’ers, but especially if you are there for two weeks. Even the steps were stowed. So except for the fact that the family said they spoke to them on the 15th, that observation alone lead me to wonder if something had happened much earlier than the 15th, as well.
Yes, I thought the same. But I also found out they were at Cavanders the 15th. They bought a gift for their granddaughter and mailed it. So I think they met on the 15th while out running errands.
I live a mile away from the beach where their bodies were found. The islanders maintain a memorial for the Butlers with a Navy flag, lights and several crosses. The locals take care of it and keep it clean.