The safe was found on the property of Pamela Long-Wiggins, who was Leonard Jrs landlord. After Selena Not Afraids case made national headlines, Showtimes producers approached Galkin with a general pitch. It seemed par for the course, and it also seemed like a conversation that was quite prevalent inside the sheriffs office and inside a lot of law enforcement in that area. The suspects were caught on the family's surveillance system. Nine of their children were present when masked intruders entered the house and killed 66-year-old Byrd and 43-year-old Melanie. 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. Wake Up Clear and Focused, Sleep with Somnus! Authorities moved right away to find the six people connected to the murderer, including five people who . The young women are remembered through the recollections of family members and friends, who detail their shared barriers to justice and the lack of response from law enforcement officials. Byrd Billings was a shady character with many questionable affairs in his life. Its really dense, and its really sensitive.. 51m. Florence and Thornton ultimately agreed to testify against their co-conspirators, and Leonard Gonzalez was soon identified as the ringleader and the main gunman. She and her husband had brought their yacht there for repairs, but police suspected she may have been trying to flee to Mexico. 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. And if we are going to tell the story, we want to do so through the families and the community and make sure that they were in charge of letting us know what they wanted to share with us.. Since colonization, our Native women have been targeted. 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. 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. Read More: How Did Megan Leann Holden Die? They were the parents of 17 children, 13 of whom were adopted most of whom had disabilities. She submitted a piece of art to theCreative Nativecompetition. She was 16. There was a problem saving your notification. The ringleader Gonzalez also ran a failing karate school, which was another reason why the moniker stuck. On July 9, 2009, gunmen broke into Melanie and Byrd "Bud" Billings' home and killed them while they lay in bed. The Billings used them to monitor their children. Get information about the Billings children's special needs trust. The filmmakers and the NIWRC are creating a collection of resources for Indigenous families, including mental health resources, spearheaded by Ivan MacDonald. Found the resolution to each, I know who really killed Chanin, her husband did not, I have so many questions about this story. It was the home of Leonard Gonzalez, whose wife spoke with investigators. Filmmakers Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin spent more than two years working on the documentary. We put this team together so we wouldnt be performing parachute journalism or extractive storytelling, Galkin said. On July 9, 2009 in Pensacola, Florida, a group of masked men entered Byrd and Melanie's vast home at dusk and murdered the couple in what was thought to be a robbery case. 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. He initially said the van belonged to his son, Patrick, and hadnt been running for a while. He was first shot in the leg, later being taken into the bedroom with Melanie and one of their children. All Rights Reserved, Slender Man stabbing, Waukesha, Wisconsin, Though he and Melanie had been married 18 years, Byrd "Bud" Billings had been married two times before. There were nine children living at the house who were special needs kids. Accused triggerman Patrick Gonzalez, meanwhile, took his chances in court. "They did wonderful things.". As police began looking at the Billings family history, they began to wonder if they were looking at a contract killing. The tapes showed a large red passenger van had pulled into the driveway at the time of the slayings. The National Indian Womens Resource Center is online at niwrc.org. Like Benally, she was hesitant to talk with Galkin, not wanting to become involved with a project that wasnt going to ethically explore the underlying issues contributing to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. A spotlight is once again on Big Horn County in a new documentary series on Showtime that highlights the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women. But eventually, heagreed 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.. 10 The Keepers (2017) 'The Keepers' is a dark, disturbing investigation into the unsolved murder of a nun named Sister Catherine Cesnik. Filmmakers Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin spent more than two years working on the documentary. We found that a series would allow us to go in-depth, as opposed to a singular film, said director Razelle Benally. This story is printed with the permission of the Montana Free Press. By highlighting family narratives, the documentary shares the story of missing and murdered Indigenous people through the voices of Native people who have lived through such traumas for generations. By now, most Americans are familiar with the horrific murder of a Pensacola, Florida, couple by the name of Byrd and Melanie Billings. The authorities had a lot to work with right away because the place was rigged with many security cameras. This is the story of the victims, their families, the investigation,and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. Together, they produced "Murder in Big Horn," which will premiere at Sundance Film Festival in January 2023. These cases are our relatives.. 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. It was owned by Pamela Long Wiggins, who was in the real estate business. An event on the University of Montana campus honors the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. And yet, in 2009, the Billings lived like the wealthywith an elaborately equipped nine-bedroom house worth $700,000but no one could figure out how a modest car dealership would generate enough income to cover all their expenses, which included so much help for the children. Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer: Directed by Nick Searcy. Is anyone feeling that the mom has strong narcissistic vibes, I worked on both cases. RELATED:Man's Secret Identity Exposed After He Viciously Attacked Alabama Mom. While DNA tests conducted on the murder weapon and the shell casings didnt conclusively match Leonard Jr, Frederick identified him as the shooter. As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. Billings police investigate the scene of a homicide on the 200 block of South 29th Street at 2 a.m. Sunday. Eiteljorg Museum Curator Dorene Red Cloud said Sean Chandler was a clear choice for the selectors., Its been crazy, said Elias Jade NotAfraid. I knew that going in, and I knew that because Matthew and I are not private investigators. . Two of the women were never found. Authorities also learned that he had a power-washing business and had worked at the Billings home before. The cop's only witness one that never lies surveillance cameras. Power." (Oxygen) Released in December 2021, this 90-minute documentary special, hosted by Troy Roberts, looks into the boat crash, the murders, the insurance fraud and more. Scenes were filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. Others have speculated that the murders may have been a hit. "We found that a. "They were good people," she says. M. Aiello was the oldest man suspect ever held in the county, but he died before he could stand trial for murder. entrepreneur Byrd Bud Billings, 66, and his wife, Melinda, 43. were found in the master bedroom of the sprawling estate. Missoula Commissioner announces involvement in project that got county approval, Next chapter for Sleepy Inn motel begins this week, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Attorneys offer more claims to Title IX suit against UM, MCPS school board selects 1 applicant for superintendent interview, Kalispell man charged for death threats to US Sen. 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He was sentenced to death and is currently on death row. Florida investigators tracked Wiggins down to Orange Beach, Alabama. Before July 2009, Melanie and Bud were bestknown in Pensacola, Florida, as a generous, good-hearted couple who opened their home to children with severe disabilities. But after uncovering many questionable details, independent investigation blog Conjuring Justice is making a compelling case that proves that the perpetrators of the crime are still at large. 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. Ivan MacDonald accused triggerman Patrick Gonzalez, meanwhile, took his chances in court learned that he a! Are creating a collection of resources for Indigenous families, including five people.... 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