Its been alleged that Bud might have upset some members of the Pensacola car dealership business community who had found themselves wrapped up with the Mexican mafia. They were scared to death, investigators said. that Leonard Gonzalez had revealed to authorities. I think what he did is absolutely demonic to kill people in front of their kids, said Guy. The authorities had a lot to work with right away because the place was rigged with many security cameras. Detectives questioned the Billings children, and Justinprovided a possible lead. Examining the footage, it was clear that multiple suspects were involved in the burglary and it was exceptionally well planned. The cop's only witness one that never lies surveillance cameras. 51m. They carried rifles and wore masks, dressed in black clothes and black boots. RYAN BERRY, Billings Gazette "Murder in Big Horn," a three-part documentary set on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations, will premiere at the internationally acclaimed Sundance Film. So, the news of their murders as part of a burglary shocked everyone. The tapes showed a large red passenger van had pulled into the driveway at the time of the slayings. At the time of filming, Brien was the general manager and editor of Big Horn County News. Melanie, Byrds wife, was twenty years younger than him. Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. Authorities had five of the seven suspects in custody and as detectives prepared to question them, the remaining two suspects surfaced:Rakeem Florence and Frederick Thornton. This story is printed with the permission of the Montana Free Press. Learn How Brandon Dawson Sold His Business for $151M at 77X EBITDA and Break Through Your Business Plateau, Too! In the series, Winburn described certain obstacles, including family members who wanted their 15 minutes of fame, which he said put more pressure on the Big Horn County Sheriffs Office. By Chuck Baldwin. He was with three other men identified as Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, and Gary Sumner, names that Leonard Gonzalez had revealed to authorities. This led the authorities to his son, Leonard Gonzalez Jr. Leonard Jr taught self-defense classes and had some previous contact with the Billingses. It's what they must rely on, to catch the killers and bring them to justice. He remains incarcerated at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, but owing to some legal matters, his apparent resentencing is pending. You can stream episodes here. As soon as we walked in that door, we knew.. Investigators learned that Bud Billings was a successful businessman who ran a finance company. None of them were harmed in the incident. Myiahfe Low, 6, holds a candle in 2020 while a round dance song is played at a candlelight vigil outside the Helena Indian Alliance. It turned out that there was more to the Billings family than the all-American history that their prior media image implied. I think the series does a really good job of explaining all the components that come together that have created this situation.. Citizen P.I. Locating the red van was top priority, so law enforcement reached out to the public through the media, according to Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Directors Ian Clark Ben Mole Mansion Murder Cam Also, some witnesses who pointed to Patrick as the gunman had claimed they had seen his face when the surveillance video showed that the gunmen had their masks on the whole time. As they asked her some questions inside the house, they observed a shoe box for black combat boots. All were charged with first-degree murder apart from Wiggins, who was charged with being an accessory. The death of 16-year-old Selena Not Afraid has been ruled accidental. When detectives interviewed Tice, he claimed that he was far from the only person who had issues with Bud Billings. The murders of Bud and Melanie Billings occurred on or about July 9, 2009, in Pensacola, Florida, United States. We found that a series would allow us to go in-depth, as opposed to a singular film, said director Razelle Benally. Patrick would get the death penalty after a three-day trial. Never-before-seen video footage reveals a deadly boat ride that spurs the toppling of a powerful dynasty. The police have since set up a task force to determine if it is the work of asingle serial killer known as the Chicago Strangler. Home. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). For more information on the series, visit sho.com/murder-in-big-horn. Murder in Big Horn, Ivan said, stands out from other MMIW series in its depth and breadth of coverage. Five people jumped out, Det. The murders were witnessed by their ten-year-old son, Jake, who at one point was told he was going to be killed, only for another member of the gang who stepped in to stop his accomplice from shooting the youngster. Television is one of the ways in which non-Indigenous communities learn about Indigenous communities, he said. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Investigators had also noted that Gonzalez Sr. was flustered on the day police showed up on his door, but no one had noted that he had an array of mental disorders, including schizophrenia. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Tice adds a new link between the Billings couple and Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr., 35, who is charged in the murders and was called "pivotal person" by Morgan during the investigation. Watch and see how Ashley's life is today. In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. She was later charged with being an accessory after the fact. Mrs. Gonzalez allowed detectives to take the shoe box and to tow the van. This is the story of the victims, their families, the investigation,and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. The first two shots to Buds legs were captured on camera. And most recently, one of the witnesses came forward, saying his testimony was false. The cop's only witness one that never lies surveillance cameras. The ongoing Murdaugh family saga exposes murders, a suspicious death and a complex labyrinth of corruption. The plan, he claimed, was never about murder. Netflix launched its marketing campaign for this seven-part documentary series as if 'The Keepers' was your typical true crime murder mystery - but all was not as it seemed. All three girls profiled in the film went missing after attending house parties and were found dead nearby. Was. Bud Billings, 66, and his wife, Melanie, 43, were found shot to death on July 9, 2009. Here is what the National Weather Service says is in store for Missoula this week. While Ivan said Native people have known about the MMIW crisis for decades, many non-Native viewers may be unaware. When police searched the van, they found nothing that tied it to the murders. If you, or someone you know, has relevant information. He initially said the van belonged to his son, Patrick, and hadnt been running for a while. There were eight people in total who faced charges related to this case, but only five of the number entered the Billings home, and the ringleader was later determined to be Leonard Gonzalez. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Soon, others involved were arrested as well: Donnie Stallworth, Wayne Coldiron, Frederick Thornton, Rakeem Florence, and Gary Sumner. Great Burn: 'One of the last best places' but for whom? Investigators tracked down Leonard Gonzalez and brought him in for questioning. However, during the time leading up to the murders, Leonard Jrs business wasnt doing well. This is the story of, The Highway Murders . In 1988, eleven women vanished from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts. of Corrections. In July, Lake County sued the state,asking a judge to declare that the state is obligated to reimburse the county for law enforcement service, The tribes, whose territory spans the boundary between the U.S. and Canada, wrote that they initially made this request in October 2012 and al, Lake County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution of intent to withdraw from a law that establishes a unique law enforcement relatio. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. This community has faced hundreds of years of injustice.. Billings police investigate the scene of a homicide on the 200 block of South 29th Street at 2 a.m. Sunday. Showtime documentary focuses on Montana cases of missing, murdered Indigenous girls. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. agreed to tell police everything he knew about the crime including who was in the van, provided prosecutors took a possible death penalty off the table, according to Floribama Murders., Detectives focused on the crime scene videos and observed the black boots worn by the home invaders. It provides a crash course in the scandals and deaths that have engulfed the old-money Murdaugh family for years, including a fatal boating accident, the mysterious deaths of a family housekeeper. Melanie was around 25 years old when she met Byrd and the two married in 1993, just four months after Byrds divorce from his second wife. Weeks later, police were still trying to complete their understanding of the genesis of the scheme and connection of the suspects to the Billings family. He'd incorporated a boat company and a different car company in the 1980s. The man arrested was Leonard Lenny Gonzalez Sr., who later shared that the car belonged to his son Leonard Patrick Jr. After being apprehended, the state attorney declared that Leonard Sr. had admitted to the crime. Brien was one of the filmmakers first sources, and she quickly became central to the documentary. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. He was sentenced to death for the first two counts and life in prison for the invasion. Authorities concluded she died of exposure. But she never expected , Last year, scholarships were up to $10,000 for returning undergraduate applicants, up to $12,500 for graduate and professional students and up. : Emails From Death Row chronicles the complex case that had multiple people involved in the burglary plan, with everyone eventually facing justice. Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer: Directed by Nick Searcy. I knew that going in, and I knew that because Matthew and I are not private investigators. He was known to keep cash stashed away in a home safe located upstairs. OPRAH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF HARPO, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2023 HARPO PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty: With Michael Virzi, Ben Heineman. We knew right from the beginning we did not want this to be newsy or information-driven, Galkin said. The Billings couple had many fostered children, who were all within the home along with some employees and house staff on the day of the murder. Accused triggerman Patrick Gonzalez, meanwhile, took his chances in court. Patrick collected overdue bills for her. Aiello was the oldest man suspect ever held in the county, but he died before he could stand trial for murder. Please subscribe to keep reading. With all these details brought to light, and with Patrick still fighting a death sentence and Lenny now gone after passing away behind bars due to cancer, Jimmie Lee Staley continues to seek for the truth behind the Billings murder case. I would like to say I was shocked, but I wasnt shocked, Galkin said of Winburns comments. While the robbery appeared to be well planned, the police believed that one of the accomplices failed to turn off the security cameras, which later became primary evidence in the case. After Bud and Melinda Billings were murdered, investigators discovered multiple people were connected to the crime. Investigation Discoverys Citizen P.I. The three-part series explores the unsolved deaths of Henny Scott, Kaysera Stops Pretty Places and Selena Not Afraid and the contributing factors to the countys disproportionately high rate of such cases. While Native Americans comprise about 6.7% of Montanas population, they account for, on average, 26% of the states active missing persons cases. The Karate Killers on ID is investigating the truly shocking murders of husband and wife, Byrd Bud and Melanie Billings, who were butchered during a brutal home invasion at their home in Pensacola, Florida. He had participated and been sentenced to probation for an adoption scam with one of his wives: He and Cindy Reeve had pleaded, Update: Police Release Dead Serial Killers Account of Murder of Samantha Koenig. Why Were the Billings Couple Murdered? - YouTube 0:00 / 9:22 Why Were the Billings Couple Murdered? Byrd and Melanie Billings lived in Beulah, Florida, in a sprawling mansion with several children they had adopted. The remaining suspects were charged with armed home invasion, robbery and murder. We internalize that and see it play out in higher rates of domestic violence in our communities these cycles of abuse., Brien, in the series, describes raising her daughter based on situational awareness and keeping her safe., It makes up who we are, Brien said. Some speculated that the Billings adopted children so that they could receive money from the government. American Prairie distributed 10 bison to the Chippewa Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy Reservation and 35 to the Kalispel Tribe in Washington. Since 2005, this award-winning blog has offered insights into the news and politics of Northwest Florida. In 2015, Leonard Sr and Pamela died while serving time in prison. Byrd and Melinda Billings Another safe, a small one in the master bedroom for personal keepsakes and documents, was missing. Its what they must rely on, to catch the killers and bring them to justice. Two Teenagers Come Forward in Byrd and Melanie Billings Case, Abraham Shakespeare's Co-Worker Sued Him Over Winning Lottery Ticket, Dorice Dee Dee Moore Slips Shocking Information to Reporter, "Death is a smell youll never forget, Sr. Deputy Robert Guy, of Escambia County Sheriffs Office, told. Patrick Gonzalez was then questioned and denied everything. Three days after the murder, a man was arrested after leads noted that his van matched the description of the getaway vehicle in the Billings murder. The Associated Press cited divorce records from his second wife in 1993 that revealed Billings had not been rich at that time: his total net worth at that time was just $1400. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. When you are Native and you grow up in a community, you just know how to talk to folks, especially elders and older women, Benally said. Marshals arrest Lockwood shooting suspect outside Billings Godfathers Pizza, Police rule midtown Billings death a homicide; 2nd homicide in 2 months in neighborhood, UPDATE: Montana State Prison escapee caught, Murder in the Magic City: Rising homicide rate may be new normal, Billings bar with history of violence sued by family of homicide victim, 'Murder in Big Horn' MMIW documentary to premiere at Sundance, True-crime TV fuels 'missing white woman syndrome.' The next, they were innocent victims of a methodical murder plot. Benally, who is Oglala Lakota and Din, understands intimately the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people and has experienced the disappearance and death of family members and close friends. He claimed his father had brain damage and that the van barely moved in a recorded interview with authorities. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. "They did wonderful things.". Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. The team spent two years working on the series, and they filmed more than 60 days during a half dozen visits, starting in September 2021. Investigators learned that Bud Billings was a successful businessman who ran a finance company. However, it only contained some medicines, documents, and some jewelry. This is the story of. Interviews are stitched together with footage pulled from the social media accounts of the young women, along with clips from media reports. Rae Senarighi, best known for colorful abstracts, intricate typography and vivid portraiture, is bringing his exhibition, Transcend, to the Holter Museum of Art in Helena. Coming Soon. We are filmmakers, and we can only do so much.. Murders at Moselle. Documentary & Special Interest. Others have speculated that the murders may have been a hit. An investigation revealed that a safe was missing from the house. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. So, lets find out more about this case then, shall we. Byrd Billings The series will premiere at Sundance, the largest independent film festival in the U.S., on Jan. 22. Florence told officials that Leonard Gonzalez had promised him $2,000 or $3,000 to carry this deed out, investigators said. What these families have lost is universally relatable. It will be available to view online from Jan. 24 to Jan. 29, and it will also premiere on Showtime in the New Year. The filmmakers and the NIWRC are creating a collection of resources for Indigenous families, including mental health resources, spearheaded by Ivan MacDonald. The original story can be accessed here. Jake was mute and could only help the police by using sign language; however, he later proved instrumental in solving the crime. On July 9, 2009, Bud and Melanie were killed by a murderous group of thugs. Shes a journalist based in Hardin who grew up on the Crow Reservation and is the central narrator in the production. . The gathering honored Selena Not Afraid, a 16 year-old who was recently found dead near the 1-90 rest area east of Billings she went missing from on New Year's Day, and all missing or murdered indigenous women. He had participated and been sentenced to probation for an adoption scam with one of his wives: He and Cindy Reeve had pleaded nolo contendre, accepting punishment without admitting guilt. "Death is a smell youll never forget, Sr. Deputy Robert Guy, of Escambia County Sheriffs Office, told Floribama Murders, airing Saturdays at 9/8c on Oxygen. Please subscribe to keep reading. The third and final episode does not tie a neat bow around the cases, nor does it attempt to solve them. Leonard Gonzalez told sheriffs that he was with six other men in the van, including Patrick. In October 2010, Leonard Jr, then 35, was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion. More than 2 people lost their lives July 9, 2009. All three girls were 18 or younger when they went missing and were later found dead in Big Horn County, which includes portions of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow reservations. We grow up thinking that survival is culture, and pretty soon we are doing things that we think are cultural practices, when really they are just survival techniques.. The suspects were caught on the familys surveillance system. Ashley and Blue now live in her parents' home and sleep in the same room where they were gunned down. Tice was cleared when authorities reviewed surveillance footage from the Billings home. Scenes were filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. Through interviews with law enforcement, state medical examiners, tribal leaders and victims families, the documentary tells the story of several missing or murdered Indigenous women in Montana. As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. Brien has lived in and around the Crow Reservation her whole life and is the founder of Four Points Press, based in Crow Agency and the only Indigenous news outlet in the region. The Fort Belknap Indian Community Council announced a tribal police officer would be allowed to return to his regular duties after he shot and. Ep 1 The Billings Murders. This is really a deep dive into these structural aspects of jurisdiction in Indian Country, legal barriers to justice, the political and cultural climate and why these cases arent taken seriously, he said. Byrd Billings was a shady character with many questionable affairs in his life. 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