Retired Navy Veteran and Wife Murdered: How Domestic Violence Led to a Cross-Border Manhunt
Domestic violence often escalates in ways victims never anticipate. Amanda Nover's experience with her husband began with physical abuse but evolved into something far more sinister. Her recounting of being choked, beaten, and left bruised was only part of a darker narrative that would eventually shock investigators.
James and Michelle Butler were living their retirement dream, traveling across America in their trailer with their three cats. After James's 21-year Navy career as a decorated veteran, the couple had settled into a nomadic lifestyle that kept them connected with their five adult children from previous relationships. In October 2019, they arrived at Padre Island, Texas, posting happily about their travels before their communications suddenly ceased. What followed was a tragic intersection of two couples on vastly different paths, leading to a desperate manhunt that would cross international borders.
Key Takeaways
A seemingly routine case of domestic abuse concealed a more disturbing criminal event involving two victims.
James Butler, a decorated Navy veteran, and his wife Michelle were enjoying retirement travel before their disappearance on Padre Island.
The investigation led authorities across the Mexican border to apprehend suspects who had fled with the victims' vehicle and trailer.
Victim Profile
James Butler's Military Service
James Butler proudly served in the United States Navy for 21 years as an air traffic controller. His service took place aboard the USS Enterprise, a carrier stationed at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, the world's largest naval complex. Throughout his military career, James earned 10 medals and awards recognizing his achievements and dedication. Born in 1970 weighing only 2 pounds, James grew into a man who built an impressive military career before retiring in 2010 and returning to his hometown of Rumney, New Hampshire.
Michelle and James' Marriage
After returning to New Hampshire, James spent time caring for his mother who was battling cancer. During one of their outings playing darts, James met Michelle, and they immediately formed a strong connection. Their relationship blossomed over five years of dating before they married in 2015. Together, they created a blended family that included five adult children from previous relationships—Michelle had three sons, while James had one son and one daughter. Their relationship was characterized by shared dreams and consistent communication with their loved ones.
Life as Travelers
In 2018, James and Michelle embarked on a new chapter by fulfilling their shared dream of living on the road. They moved into a trailer with their three beloved cats—Gizmo, Moana, and Chloe—and began traveling across the country. By mid-October 2019, they arrived at Padre Island, Texas, a stunning barrier island known for its natural beauty, white sandy beaches, and rich ecosystems. Michelle announced their arrival on Facebook on October 15, 2019, noting they planned to continue to New Orleans and eventually to Fort Lauderdale where they would manage a Christmas tree farm.
The couple set up camp at a remote beach location called "the Bowl," approximately 3 miles south of Bob Hall Pier—an area named for the depression waves had carved into the sand dunes over time. James captured a photo of Michelle enjoying the ocean view, one of their final happy moments together. Tragically, their communications ceased after Michelle sent a text to a friend on October 16, 2019, marking the beginning of a horrific series of events that would end their journey permanently.
The Crime on Padre Island
Arrival at Beach Campsite
James and Michelle Butler arrived at Padre Island, Texas in mid-October 2019. On October 15th, Michelle posted an update on Facebook announcing their arrival at this destination, which features miles of white sandy beaches along an undeveloped coastline known for natural beauty. The couple, who had been married since 2015 after dating for five years, set up their camping spot at an isolated beach area called "the Bowl," approximately three miles south of Bob Hall Pier. James, a decorated U.S. Navy veteran who served 21 years as an air traffic controller, took a photo of Michelle enjoying the ocean view—one of their final happy moments together.
The Butlers were living their shared dream, traveling in a trailer with their three cats named Gizmo, Moana, and Chloe. They maintained regular contact with their five adult children from previous relationships while on the road. Their next planned destinations included New Orleans and eventually Fort Lauderdale, where they intended to manage a Christmas tree farm.
Last Communications
On October 16th, Michelle Butler sent a text message to a friend—this would be the last communication anyone received from either of the Butlers. When FaceTime calls from their children went unanswered, concern began to grow. A week later, on October 23rd, their worried family members filed a missing persons report with the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office.
Law enforcement pinged the Butlers' phones and determined they had never left the Bowl area of Padre Island. This troubling discovery prompted police to begin searching the beach for potential burial sites. The investigation took a grim turn on October 27th when officers found a bra in the sand, which led them to discover a rib bone protruding from the ground.
The Discovery of the Crime
Police unearthed Michelle's body from a shallow grave in the sand near the couple's last known campsite. The following day, they located James buried nearby. The investigation gained momentum when authorities learned that a security camera at a Mexican border toll booth had captured an image of an unidentified couple.
The footage from October 21st showed a man and woman driving the Butlers' 2018 silver Chevrolet pickup truck and towing their Cedar Creek trailer at Eagle Pass, Texas, crossing into Piedras Negras, Mexico. These suspects had a week-long head start, traveling more than 700 miles into Mexico with plans to continue south toward South America.
Kleberg County Sheriff's Office released the security camera photo to the Associated Press, which was picked up by Mexican media. This strategy paid off when the male suspect attempted to sell the Butlers' trailer to an RV park owner in Jalisco state, who recognized him from the news and contacted authorities.
U.S. Marshals stationed in Guadalajara conducted a raid on the RV park, capturing Adam Curtis Williams and Amanda Louise Nover without incident. They were traveling with Nover's three-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. Both suspects were returned to the United States, with Williams transported to Kleberg County jail on November 7th under heavy guard.
Williams, a 33-year-old with an extensive criminal record, refused to cooperate with Texas Rangers during interrogation after learning he was part of a capital murder investigation.
Investigation
This mid-section examines the critical phases of the Butler case, from initial concerns through the identification of suspects.
Missing Persons Case
James and Michelle Butler, a retired Navy veteran and his wife, were traveling the country in their trailer when communication suddenly ceased. The couple had established a pattern of regular contact with their five adult children from previous relationships. After arriving at Padre Island, Texas in mid-October 2019, Michelle posted their location on Facebook on October 15th, indicating they planned to continue to New Orleans and eventually Fort Lauderdale. When Michelle sent her final text message to a friend on October 16th, nobody could have predicted it would be the last time anyone would hear from them. The children grew increasingly concerned after a week of unanswered FaceTime calls, prompting them to file an official missing persons report with the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office on October 23rd.
Recovery Operation
Authorities began their search by tracking the Butlers' phone signals, which indicated they had never left the area known as "the Bowl," approximately 3 miles south of Bob Hall Pier on Padre Island. This desolate beach location, named for its depression in the sand dunes, would reveal a grim discovery. During the search on October 27th, investigators spotted a bra in the sand along with a rib bone protruding from the ground. Further excavation uncovered Michelle's body in a shallow grave. The following day, James's remains were located nearby, confirming the family's worst fears.
Video Evidence and Apprehension
Investigators received a crucial lead when security footage from a border checkpoint captured images of an unidentified couple driving the Butlers' silver 2018 Chevrolet pickup truck and Cedar Creek trailer. The footage, dated October 21st, showed the suspects crossing from Eagle Pass, Texas into Piedras Negras, Mexico. With the fugitives having a week-long head start, the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office made the strategic decision to release the surveillance images to the Associated Press, hoping Mexican media would broadcast them.
The strategy paid off when the male suspect attempted to sell the Butlers' trailer to an RV park owner in Jalisco, Mexico—over 700 miles from the border. The owner recognized him from the media reports and contacted authorities. Sheriff Kirkpatrick mobilized U.S. Marshals stationed in Guadalajara, who quickly apprehended Adam Curtis Williams and Amanda Louise Nover without incident. The couple had Amanda's three-year-old daughter with them during their attempted escape to South America. Both suspects were returned to the United States, with Adam transported to Kleberg County jail where he faced questioning in connection with what investigators now classified as a capital murder case.
Arrest and Capture
Fugitives on the Run
After the brutal murders of James and Michelle Butler, the suspects fled across the border into Mexico on October 21, 2019. Security cameras at a toll booth captured images of an unidentified man and woman driving the Butler's 2018 silver Chevrolet pickup truck while towing their Cedar Creek trailer. The fugitives traveled approximately 700 miles south into the Mexican state of Jalisco. Their ultimate plan involved continuing southward to eventually disappear into South America, beyond the reach of U.S. authorities.
The suspects had gained a significant week-long head start before law enforcement began tracking them. With the trail growing cold, investigators needed to act quickly to prevent the perpetrators from disappearing completely. The couple brought additional complexity to the pursuit by traveling with a three-year-old child—the woman's daughter from a previous relationship.
Law Enforcement Collaboration
The Kleberg County Sheriff's Office employed an effective strategy to locate the fugitives by releasing the security camera photos to the Associated Press. This tactical decision ensured Mexican media outlets would circulate the images widely. The approach paid dividends when the male suspect attempted to sell the Butlers' trailer to an RV park owner in Jalisco, who recognized him from the news reports and promptly contacted authorities.
Sheriff Kirkpatrick activated his professional network, reaching out to colleagues in the U.S. Marshals Service with an urgent request for assistance:
"I need a favor. I know where this individual is, and I need him captured. I don't care how you do it—I just want him back in our custody."
The Marshals responded immediately, with a team already positioned in Guadalajara. They assured the sheriff they would apprehend the suspect within hours. True to their word, Sheriff Kirkpatrick soon received a photo message showing Adam Williams handcuffed on the floor of the trailer.
Detention and Return
The U.S. Marshals conducted a surprise raid on the RV park, capturing Adam Curtis Williams and Amanda Louise Nover without incident. Following their arrest, the suspects were separated, and all three individuals—including Amanda's young daughter—were flown back to Houston.
Williams was transported to Kleberg County in a police vehicle under heavy guard. Despite being considered extremely dangerous, he complained about his uncomfortable handcuffs during the 4.5-hour journey:
"There's supposed to be a finger in between it. There's no finger anywhere in there."
Around 4:00 a.m. on November 7, Williams was processed into the Kleberg County Jail with media representatives present despite the early hour. The 33-year-old career criminal with an extensive criminal record exercised his right to remain silent during interrogation by Texas Rangers. However, he visibly reacted when Ranger Edward Grobe mentioned "capital murder"—a charge that could potentially result in the death penalty in Texas.
Key Suspects
Adam Williams' Extensive Criminal Background
Adam Curtis Williams, a 33-year-old with a lengthy criminal history, became the primary suspect in the disappearance of James and Michelle Butler. His criminal career spanned years before the incident at Padre Island. When arrested, Williams showed the calculated demeanor of someone familiar with the criminal justice system. Despite complaining about his handcuffs being too tight during transport, claiming "there's no finger anywhere in there," his discomfort seemed minor compared to the serious allegations he faced.
Williams and his wife Amanda Louise Nover were captured in Mexico after fleeing across the border. They had traveled over 700 miles into the state of Jalisco with Amanda's three-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. Their apprehension came after they attempted to sell the Butlers' trailer to an RV park owner who recognized Williams from widely circulated surveillance photos.
Interrogation and Legal Procedures
When Texas Rangers attempted to question Williams about the homicide investigation, he immediately exercised his right to remain silent. Ranger Edward Grobes informed Williams that this was "part of an ongoing capital murder investigation or at least a homicide investigation where we have two bodies." Williams, understanding the gravity of the situation, only broke his silence to ask about the potential punishment, specifically questioning, "Capital, that means death penalty?"
The interrogation took place around 4 a.m. on November 7th at the Kleberg County Jail, where Williams had been processed following his extradition from Mexico. Despite the early hour, media representatives gathered outside, attempting to question him about his connection to the Butlers' truck and trailer, and his intentions in Mexico.
U.S. Marshals had apprehended Williams and Nover without incident after Sheriff Kirkpatrick made an urgent request for assistance. The sheriff later described seeing the photo of Williams handcuffed on the floor of the trailer as "an unbelievable feeling." Throughout the investigation, Williams was considered extremely dangerous and kept under heavy guard.
Impact on Families Left Behind
The Butler family's sudden loss created profound grief among their loved ones. James Butler, a decorated Navy veteran with 21 years of service and 10 medals, had built a meaningful life after retirement. His mother, whom he had moved back to New Hampshire to care for during her cancer battle, now faced the unimaginable pain of outliving her son.
Between them, James and Michelle had five adult children from previous relationships. The couple maintained close contact with their family despite their nomadic lifestyle, making regular FaceTime calls with their children. When these calls suddenly stopped in mid-October 2019, their worried children initiated the missing persons report that ultimately led to the discovery of their parents' remains.
The devastating way they died—buried in shallow graves on the beach they had photographed so beautifully—only compounded the trauma. Their final moments at Padre Island should have been part of an exciting journey toward their next destination in New Orleans, followed by Fort Lauderdale where they planned to manage a Christmas tree farm.
Instead of celebrating the couple's adventurous spirit, family members were forced to identify their belongings and work with law enforcement during the manhunt for their killers. The security camera image showing strangers driving their silver Chevrolet pickup and Cedar Creek trailer across the Mexican border must have been particularly distressing for those who knew the vehicles represented James and Michelle's dreams of freedom and exploration.
Sheriff Kirkpatrick recognized the importance of swift justice for the victims' families, taking extraordinary measures to ensure the capture of the suspects. His urgent request to US Marshals reflected the priority placed on providing some measure of closure for those left behind.
For the Butler family, the arrest of Adam Williams and Amanda Nover couldn't undo their devastating loss, but perhaps offered a small step toward understanding what happened to their loved ones who simply wanted to enjoy their retirement years together.
Legal Proceedings and Criminal Case
Adam Curtis Williams and Amanda Louise Nover faced swift legal action after their capture in Mexico. The duo was apprehended at an RV park in Jalisco, approximately 700 miles south of the U.S. border. Their arrest came after an owner recognized Williams from security camera images released to the media.
U.S. Marshals conducted the operation, sending a team from Guadalajara to detain the suspects without incident. Williams, Nover, and Nover's three-year-old daughter were immediately flown back to Houston. Upon arrival, Williams was separated from Nover and transported to Kleberg County under heavy guard.
The 4.5-hour journey concluded with Williams being processed into the Kleberg County jail around 4:00 a.m. on November 7th. Despite complaining about tight handcuffs during transport, Williams received no special treatment. Media representatives gathered outside the facility, attempting to question him about the stolen vehicle and his connection to the victims.
During interrogation, Williams exercised his right to remain silent when Texas Ranger Edward Grobes mentioned the capital murder investigation. The 33-year-old career criminal with an extensive record appeared to understand the potential consequences, specifically asking if "capital" meant death penalty.
The investigation revealed a disturbing timeline. James and Michelle Butler had been camping on Padre Island when they disappeared in mid-October 2019. Their last communication was a text message from Michelle on October 16th. When family members couldn't reach them, authorities began searching the area.
Police discovered Michelle's body in a shallow grave on October 27th, with James found nearby the following day. By that time, Williams and Nover had already crossed into Mexico on October 21st, driving the Butlers' silver Chevrolet pickup and towing their Cedar Creek trailer.
Amanda Nover later recounted a history of abuse in her relationship with Williams. She described multiple violent incidents where Williams choked her, pinned her down, and inflicted severe bruising. This testimony, while revealing a pattern of violence, initially omitted critical details about their involvement with the Butlers.
The victims, James and Michelle Butler, left behind five adult children from previous relationships. James had served 21 years in the U.S. Navy as an air traffic controller, earning ten medals and awards before retiring in 2010. The couple had been married since 2015 and were living their dream of traveling the country in their trailer with their three cats.
