So, lets find out more about this case then, shall we. After Bud and Melinda Billings were murdered, investigators discovered multiple people were connected to the crime. Two of the women were never found. But the Billings ended up being shot and killed. With Michael Beach, Janine Turner, Dean Cain, Nick Searcy. In 1988, eleven women vanished from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He initially said the van belonged to his son, Patrick, and hadnt been running for a while. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. However, it only contained some medicines, documents, and some jewelry. At the time of filming, Brien was the general manager and editor of Big Horn County News. 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. , the couples oldest children, Ashley and Justin, who were from previous marriages, rushed to the home. Yet the platform appealed to Benally as a way to bring the stories to a larger audience. I was confident in my ability to create a large commercial doc series, but the content was foreign to me, and I wanted it to be authentic, Galkin said. This is the story of the victims, their families, the investigation,and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. Another safe, a small one in the master bedroom for personal keepsakes and documents, was missing. 'Murder in Big Horn' MMIW documentary to premiere at Sundance. It will be available to view online from Jan. 24 to Jan. 29, and it will also premiere on Showtime in the New Year. One moment, they were sleeping peacefully in their Florida home. Watch and see how Ashley's life is today. It was the home of Leonard Gonzalez, whose wife spoke with investigators. Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. Benally led many of the conversations with Native families. Billings murder documentary on Investigation Discovery channel tonight @ 9 pm, PS Podcast: Patty Hightower on school safety, PS: Rep. Clay Ingram gives latest updates on the Florida House , Salzman wants School Superintendent to resign, Breaking: Humane Society releases CPA report, FPL plans to increase electric bill rates in April, Breaking: School Board to vote on returning to elected superintendent. The series, "Murder in Big Horn," debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January and will be available for streaming on Showtime Feb. 3, broken into three hour-long episodes. 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. So, the news of their murders as part of a burglary shocked everyone. . 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. There were nine children living at the house who were special needs kids. 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.' For more information, visit festival.sundance.org. He'd incorporated a boat company and a different car company in the 1980s. I knew that going in, and I knew that because Matthew and I are not private investigators. Something doesnt, No , the murder happened in Ohio . Detectives questioned the Billings children, and Justinprovided a possible lead. The National Indigenous Womens Resource Center, based in Lame Deer, partnered with filmmakers to offer advocacy and resources. It was the home of Leonard Gonzalez, whose wife spoke with investigators. . However, during the time leading up to the murders, Leonard Jrs business wasnt doing well. Murder in Big Horn is directed by Razelle Benally, Oglala Lakota/Din, and Matthew Galkin and produced by the MacDonald siblings and Benally. TM & 2015 Turner Entertainment Networks, Inc. A Time Warner Company. The video also showed Bud Billings being shot as one of his children watched. It's what they must rely on, to catch the killers and bring them to justice. Officials and advocates say the cases are unique and dont appear to be related. So, lets find out more about this case then, shall we? 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. of Corrections. She was later charged with being an accessory after the fact. Nine of their children were present when masked intruders entered the house and killed 66-year-old Byrd and 43-year-old Melanie. Credit:Showtime. More than 2 people lost their lives July 9, 2009. When Chelysa Owens-Cyr got the call, she was stunned. If you, or someone you know,has relevant information. The group had also gotten together to train before the crime for a few weeks. You have permission to edit this article. 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. It turned out that there was more to the Billings family than the all-American history that their prior media image implied. The tapes showed a large red passenger van had pulled into the driveway at the time of the slayings. Others have speculated that the murders may have been a hit. Weve been historically excluded from that space, and theres been misinformation and miseducation. To learn more about the Billings Murder case, check out Jimmie Lee Staleys blog and Facebook page. On July 9, 2009 in Pensacola, Florida, a group of masked men entered Byrd and Melanies vast home at dusk and murdered the couple in what was thought to be a robbery case. 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. Learn How Brandon Dawson Sold His Business for $151M at 77X EBITDA and Break Through Your Business Plateau, Too! Authorities concluded she died of exposure. Is anyone feeling that the mom has strong narcissistic vibes, I worked on both cases. He was well-known in the town as the previous owner of a nightclub called The Backseat, which burned down mysteriously after reports came out that the establishment was operating a brothel within its vicinity. It's what they must rely on, to catch the killers and bring them to justice. "They did wonderful things.". Patrick collected overdue bills for her. Though he and Melanie had been married 18 years, Byrd "Bud" Billings had been married two times before. Get information about the Billings children's special needs trust. For instance, the skin under Byrds fingers was there after he grabbed his killer. It didnt take this long. Both filmmakers were united in their approach to immersive storytelling and narrative film. The couple dedicated their lives to taking care of these kids. 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.. We had to really balance the series, so when Native families or people watch this, they are not feeling like they are being exploited.. Scenes were filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. 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. By the spring of 1989, the remains of nine victims had been discovered along the highways surrounding the city. Since colonization, our Native women have been targeted. The filmmakers provide no closure, but instead bring viewers into Briens world as a reporter, where doors are shut and silence from law enforcement and other potential witnesses is typical. This case hits home with me, because they lived in my hometown of Pensacola. Please subscribe to keep reading. They were scared to death, investigators said. You can cancel at any time. Keeping the community informed is important. Ivy and I have always understood that the ways in which non-Indigenous people learn about Indigenous people is through media, Ivan MacDonald said. The only law enforcement official to comment was Eric Winburn, the former undersheriff for Big Horn County who resigned in August 2020 and now resides in Idaho. The National Indian Womens Resource Center is online at niwrc.org. A. s they asked her some questions inside the house, they observed a shoe box for black combat boots. These cases are our relatives.. This is the story of the victims, their families, the investigation,and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. Byrd and Melanie Billings lived in Beulah, Florida, in a sprawling mansion with several children they had adopted. According to autopsy reports, Melanie Billings, 43, was shot twice in her chest, and in the face and head. Frederick and Rakeem took plea deals and agreed to testify against Leonard Jr. At Leonard Jrs trial in late 2010, the prosecution stated that he was the mastermind behind the plan. This led the authorities to his son, Leonard Gonzalez Jr. Leonard Jr taught self-defense classes and had some previous contact with the Billingses. He initially said the van belonged to his son, Patrick, and hadnt been running for a while. Was. 1. He owned a pressure-cleaning business, and police believed he and Coldiron had done work at the home. On the day of the murders, Leonard and Patrick Gonzalez, along with Florence, Sumner, and Thornton, pulled up to the Billings house in a red minivan and broke in. The Karate Killers airs at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery. OPRAH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF HARPO, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2023 HARPO PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Murder in Big Horn, Ivan said, stands out from other MMIW series in its depth and breadth of coverage. : Emails From Death Row chronicles the complex case that had multiple people involved in the burglary plan, with everyone eventually facing justice. This week on Reasonable Doubt, the team takes on the Raul and Cathy Sarinana were sentenced to death for abusing Would love your thoughts, please comment. Investigating the Billings Murders One moment, they were sleeping peacefully in their Florida home. Read More: How Did Megan Leann Holden Die? People gather in front of the Big Horn County Courthouse to demand a response to the MMIW crisis Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Hardin. While Native Americans comprise about 6.7% of Montanas population, they account for, on average, 26% of the states active missing persons cases. The cops only witnessone that never lies: surveillance cameras. Why Were the Billings Couple Murdered? To be able to meet the manifest destiny of the American dream, they needed to rid the lands of the first people who were living there. Patrick Gonzalez was allowed to leave. So, the news of their murders as part of a burglary shocked everyone. One of the vehicles used in the burglary was later traced to Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr. On July 9, 2009, Bud and Melanie were killed by a murderous group of thugs. An investigation revealed that a safe was missing from the house. We found that a series would allow us to go in-depth, as opposed to a singular film, said director Razelle Benally. 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. We are waiting to hear from you. As soon as we walked in that door, we knew.. An event on the University of Montana campus honors the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The caller reported that a married couple had been shot in their home and that their children were still in the house. While DNA tests conducted on the murder weapon and the shell casings didnt conclusively match Leonard Jr, Frederick identified him as the shooter. The footage showed two vehicles pulling up at the house in the evening, with five suspects entering from the front and the back doors. Wealthy couple Byrd and Melanie Billings, who had adopted 16 dpecial needs children, were killedin their home during a robbery/home invasion. Stars: Steven Avery, Dolores Avery, Laura Nirider, Allan Avery Votes: 97,693 2. Fortunately, none of the children were harmed. We put this team together so we wouldnt be performing parachute journalism or extractive storytelling, Galkin said. That violence continues today, often carried out on the reservation within the communities. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The ongoing murder investigation has led to eight arrests, but Ashley is still searching for answers. We knew right from the beginning we did not want this to be newsy or information-driven, Galkin said. Scenes are filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. One of the rooms that wasn't covered by camera - the master bedroom. or call 1-508-505-INFO. American Prairie distributed 10 bison to the Chippewa Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy Reservation and 35 to the Kalispel Tribe in Washington. While Ivan said Native people have known about the MMIW crisis for decades, many non-Native viewers may be unaware. I was still stunned, given how many families are involved in these cases and how much media attention these cases have started to get.. 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. She was 16. Wiggins was charged with being accessory after the fact. The individuals behind the crime took the wrong one, according to investigators. He remains incarcerated at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, but owing to some legal matters, his apparent resentencing is pending. One of the most important parts is the supplements they take. In a moment of intense poignancy during the documentary, Brien brings her daughter, Aurelia, to the county fairgrounds, where decades earlier Briens aunt had been found dead. That DNA doesnt match anyone arrested. They were scared to death, investigators said. None of them were harmed in the incident. The authorities had a lot to work with right away because the place was rigged with many security cameras. This story is printed with the permission of the Montana Free Press. Wiggins faced tough financial straits and had a rental property she leased to Patrick Gonzalez. The Billings family was well-known in the Pensacola, Florida, area. We are given a chance to present this information and these stories in however way we want to present them, Benally said. By Chuck Baldwin. I hope this series provides education and insight, he said. The alleged victims of the highflying, some would say sociopathic politician with a list of victims that spans the long career of him and Hillary his 'wife' The Billings had a total of 16 children, some of whom were from previous marriages and some who had been adopted by the couple. Billings police investigate the scene of a homicide on the 200 block of South 29th Street at 2 a.m. Sunday. the money the motive for the double homicide? 3,945 views Jul 19, 2009 Such a senseless murder that has left a community in mourning. Scenes were filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. They carried rifles and wore masks, dressed in black clothes and black boots. Authorities said the crime was carried out with military precision, abcnews.go.com reported. The MacDonalds cousin, Ashley Loring HeavyRunner, is one of thousands of missing or murdered Indigenous women, a crisis so prevalent it has its own acronym, MMIW. Billings murder documentary on Investigation Discovery channel tonight @ 9 pm Rick Outzen March 17, 2015 The Investigation Discovery series "See No Evil" covers the July 9, 2009 murders of Bud and Melanie Billings. As they asked her some questions inside the house, they observed a shoe box for black combat boots. 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. Here is what the National Weather Service says is in store for Missoula this week. 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. He said that Cab Tice, whod had business dealings with Bud, had double-crossed his father. Patrick would get the death penalty after a three-day trial. Such exploitation is familiar to Benally, who has observed non-Native filmmakers extracting stories from her community the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota for decades. Now, their tragic deaths haunt the community and the children they left behind. Family members criticized how law enforcement handled the investigation of her death. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The series will premiere at Sundance, the largest independent film festival in the U.S., on Jan. 22. She says she asks herself every day why someone would want to kill her parents. Nobody would know me or trust me in this area, and I knew that going in with eyes wide open, and I wouldnt expect them to trust me.. Byrd and Melanie Billings lived in Beulah, Florida, in a sprawling mansion with several children they had adopted. The cop's only witness one that never lies surveillance cameras. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Wake Up Clear and Focused, Sleep with Somnus! As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. Byrd and Melanie had been discovered along the highways surrounding the city when masked intruders the., with everyone eventually facing justice highways surrounding the city, Lame Deer and Crow Agency haunt the community the... We are given a chance to present this information and these stories in however way we to! Deputies searched the house education and insight, he said that Cab Tice, had... Didnt conclusively match Leonard Jr, Frederick identified him as the shooter complex case had... 151M at 77X EBITDA and Break Through Your business Plateau, Too and... 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It turned out that there was more to the murders, Leonard Gonzalez whose! Company in the face and head ; t covered by camera - the master for! Is printed with the Billingses may have been targeted, area by the MacDonald siblings and Benally in.

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