Byrd and Melanie Billings
Authorities Search for Suspects Wanted in Home-Invasion Murders of Parents of 16 Children
Fla. couple who adopted 12 children found slain
Couple who adopted 12 children slain
Couple With 16 Kids Killed During Home Invasion
Couple who adopted 12 children shot to death
Billings Family
Funny that ADT is advertising on this site, the Billings’ had a vido monitoring system (probably an ADT) and the best they can tell it was a “70s or 80’s 15 passenger van”. Wow! No license plate, no descriptions of the perps. Wow! How much money were the Billings getting every month from the taxpayers for caring for these kids. How in the heck could 8 of them (in the house at the time of the killing) not have any clue of what happened? Wow!
By: Mr. Obvious on July 11, 2009
at 10:17 am
Mr. Obvious,
From what I have read, this couple owned several businesses and were well-off. I doubt the State was helping them at all. If you saw their home, you would be able to figure it out.
And I think the advertising on the page of one of the stories is just coincidence. My opinion.
By: mylifeofcrime on July 11, 2009
at 10:53 am
Let’s hope they catch these killers today.
The video system wasn’t mean to catch killers — it was to help keep an eye on the kids mostly, in case one wondered off.
We have to change the penal system. Put the killers all together in a cell — throw them bread and water until they die.
By: Mark Douglas on July 11, 2009
at 12:03 pm
My husband and I have been trying for months to adopt one child with Down Syndrome. It has been so difficult to find anyone. Our first biological child with Down Syndrome died at age four. We have always wanted to adopt these children but cannot find anyone who knows how to do this. How did they do this? They must have been incredibly caring.
Ann
By: Ann on July 11, 2009
at 3:49 pm
Mr. Obvious,
“Wow” was my reaction when I read your sarcastic comments. Families who choose to adopt or foster children are of the most exceptional character (in most cases). Perhaps a degree of education on your part would “enlighten” you on the Billings’financial status, and help you to understand that not everyone is concerned with the personal return that will be afforded their good-will. As for ADT advertising; well, you should be thankful for them. Without their advertising dollars, this page would not exist and the entire world would be deprived of your ignorant (yet comical) opinions. God bless the Billings’ children… ALL of them!
By: Rusty Rowan on July 11, 2009
at 3:53 pm
Mr Oblivious, First they are not releasing the video on what they can and can’t see. Second the news reported the men all covered their faces with bandanas. Third do you know where they parked the van? Maybe well out away from the home, maybe at an angle where it can’t be seen, or maybe the Van was registered in Alabama where there is no front plate and maybe they pulled in frontwards and backed out..or maybe they removed or covered the plate. Imagine that Mr. oblivious. There are other possibilities..
By: Addison on July 12, 2009
at 6:52 am
I’ll bet when it all comes out, that the guys who killed these poor people were black. I also bet that the media will supress this.
By: Richard on July 12, 2009
at 5:12 pm
Richard,
If it were true, how could it be suppressed? This is a high profile murder. The suspects pictures will be everywhere. And it will be interesting, since the person arrested so far is Gonzalez. Sounds Hispanic to me. And his picture sure does not look like an African American.
By: mylifeofcrime on July 12, 2009
at 5:59 pm
Richard, Im surprised your comments are only towards the race and conspiricy theory that mediA will surpress it. Killers look like a couple of crazy white hillbillies to me.
By: Don't beat around a bush on July 12, 2009
at 9:32 pm
My husband and I read their story and it broke our hearts because it could be us. If their children need a home we are here to help. We have adopted 24 special needs children. 6 have passed away and 3 are on their own. I read about the Billings and it sounded like they raised their kids like we do. If they need a home, we could provide hem with a good home without expecting any monetary help from their estate we have awesome kids and would love to help more. Google us to see our story. We would keep a relationship with you. Our heartfelt sympathy is with you as wecan fully know what you are going through. our love is with you.
By: Jeanette Murphy on July 13, 2009
at 12:26 am
I want you to know that we would be glad to consider taking some of the children. We can so relate to the pain you’re going through as we have lost 5 children. It seems that your parents dreams and way of raising children were much like our own. You can google us to know more about us. We would expect no financial help from anyone. We just have a heart for kids. You can google us at John and Jeanette Murphy.I am so very sorry for your loss. It will be a long time before I stop thinking about these wonderful people and I will keep you all in my prayers as you deal with this tragedy. I wish I could have known them.
By: Jeanette Murphy on July 13, 2009
at 12:56 am
One of the arrested, Gonzalez Jr. has a very interesting myspace page…check out his crazy blogs. Could it be possible that the Billings adopted or had temporary custody of the daughter that was taken from him?? Just musing out loud. He has a deeply rooted hatred for the Herkel family, supposedly his ex’s family and offers rewards for info on them and his daughter. Here’s a link to his myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/billherkel
By: Nancy on July 13, 2009
at 5:37 am
Jeanette,
I read yesterday that they want to keep all of the children together. But you will need to contact Social Serves there. I have no real information on this.
By: mylifeofcrime on July 13, 2009
at 7:33 am
Jeanette, according to the Pensacola News Journal the Billings had a will that stipulated who should care for their children if something should happen to them and that those wishes were being carried out.
By: Nancy on July 13, 2009
at 7:57 am
Richard,
Your comments are rude, insensitive, and pathetic. You perpetuate the negative sterotyping that we as African Americans face on a daily basis. Congratulations! On another note, I don’t think that the media would “suppress” any information that would bring all individuals to justice. My prays are with the Billings’ children.
By: Cassandra on July 13, 2009
at 2:22 pm
It seems there may be a connection between Patrick’s unhinged rantings about this Herkel family (his ex-inlaws) and the slain couple. It would provide a motive if they were involved with the “adoption” of his daughter. Perhaps the authorities should review how this older couple were able to “adopt” so many children, when other childless couples have such a hard time being approved for one child. Money talks I suppose, although the whole situation stikes me as rather odd.
By: felix on July 13, 2009
at 3:24 pm
[...] Byrd and Melanie Billings murder 7/9/2009 Beulah, FL *Police looking for 3 suspects in home invasio… Byrd and Melanie Billings Authorities Search for Suspects Wanted in Home-Invasion Murders of Parents of 16 [...] [...]
By: Top Posts « WordPress.com on July 13, 2009
at 5:11 pm
What a horrible murder situation and I do hope they catch all of them ,and if convicted; I hope they come up with very creative deranged death penalty just for this deranged group of . God bless those children and I hope the family and lawyers are looking at the previous blogs from these very kind hearts.
By: Sean on July 13, 2009
at 6:08 pm
I find this very upsetting. I too was adopted and lives in Beulah. Its a very nice area, Im shocked to hear news like this. My heart goes out to the 16 children and the rest of the family as well. May God bless and forgive the people who committed this selfish act.
By: Mrs. Johnson on July 14, 2009
at 6:42 am
To the Billings family I am sorry for your lost they had to be great people to take on such a responsibility of those children and I pray for all of you ,I hope this terrible process goes fast and smooth for all of you.I pray these animals get what they should get, even the 16 yr old I pray he is put up as an adult. You do not have to go through this by your selfs all America is behind your family.I live in Delaware I do not have alot of money but would love to send alittle something to help.So contact me through email and I will respond.GOD BLESS YOU ALL
By: Robert E. McDonald on July 14, 2009
at 11:04 am
Florida and Germany have the most heinous crimes. It’s the Germanic people who like to kill.
By: God on July 14, 2009
at 11:39 am
Mr. Obvious is Obviously disadvantaged in his own way…what a moron
By: yurstupid on July 14, 2009
at 1:03 pm
To be honest, some of the most heinous crimes I have seen have NOT been in Florida or Germany. Check out Channon Christian and Chris Newsome murder in TN. And Missi McLaughlin in SC. Or the Hi-Fi Murders in Utah. Or Christopher Barrios of GA. Or Jana Shearer or TX. Florida has a lot of murders, yes, and right now, some bad ones. But most heinous is in the eyes of the beholder actually. However, this murder and the murder of Caylee Anthony are very heinous murders out of FL indeed.
By: mylifeofcrime on July 14, 2009
at 1:15 pm
Sadly, desperate times drive people to do these horrific things. How much could they have hoped to pull from a home safe? 10-15 thousand? And in their minds that justified the ends, the murder of these beautiful people. We can expect to see more and more of this America. God help us.
By: preston on July 14, 2009
at 3:19 pm
i am curious about whether or not they had a security alarm , a beware the dog sign was posted on their prpoperty . didn’t they have one to bark and warn them ?
By: margie on July 16, 2009
at 7:24 am
Yes, they had a security system. That is how these guys all got caught as it was on video.
By: mylifeofcrime on July 16, 2009
at 9:07 am
According to the Pensacola News Journal, authorities believe that a member of this “team” was supposed to disable the security system & failed to do their job. The sheriff’s dept spokesperson has said over and over that the robbery/murder was committed with military precision. They were on the property for 10 minutes, and in and out of the house in just 4 minutes. A safe was taken, but they have not elaborated on anything else concerning that. It’s such a bizarre cast of characters…a sergeant from Hurlburt Air Force base, a middle-aged woman who is a realtor and mom of two, a few guys from a car detailing business, a teenage boy, a day laborer, and in the center Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr ( aka Patrick Poff). You can bet that there’s a lot more to this story. I doubt that whatever was in the safe was worth splitting eight ways. The rants and raves on Gonzalez Jr’s myspace page are enough to raise red flags. Interviews with neighbors say that he waved guns at them, took his kids into the woods to practice “commando raids”,etc. Should be interesting to find out how a man like that convinced the other seven to fall in with his heinous plan. Almost Manson-like.
By: Nancy on July 16, 2009
at 9:18 am
Why is the DEA involved with the investigation if it was only a robery / double murder??? and why are there rumors of the Mexican Mafia??? something about laundering monies??? rumors going around the ECSO…
By: me on July 16, 2009
at 6:23 pm
My understanding is that the DEA is involved due to the suspects, NOT the victims. Everything I have read leads to the fact that this couple were VICTIMS, not involved in anything shady. Every time someone wealthy is murdered, it does not mean that they were involved in anything wrong. These 8 people involved in this crime are the ones that are leading the criminal life. Apparently one or more of the suspects was involved with drugs. Please unless evidence comes up otherwise, don’t point fingers at these victims. Unless you have read evidence. I have not seen anything to suggest that they did anything illegal.
By: mylifeofcrime on July 16, 2009
at 7:49 pm
It is sad to know 9 people agreed it was ok to kill these people, it is sad to see ignorance perpetuated on the message board. Obvious, a better suited name for Obvious would be “oblivious”. As for the racist posts…they make no sense – enough said. These people obviously knew how much “richer” these children made their lives. Anyone who has or works with special needs children know that they possess a special “magic” and tend to show you every day what really does matter in this life. How many “typical” children grow up to be adults w/ crime records wasting taxpayers money on their trials & care in incarceration? (BTW, most of these children are supported by their families) If more people were educated on life by children like these, perhaps there would be less incarcerations. Whatever facts come out – these were special people & the world shines a bit dimmer w/o them.
” It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
Mark Twain
By: Somebody,somewhere on July 17, 2009
at 8:29 am
A tragedy, and very strange from many angles.
Why so many people involved – there could not have been all that much cash or jewels in the home safe – rich people use banks for truly valuable stuff, and these don’t seem like the type of people to own million-dollar diamonds anyway. Kidnapping would have brought more money.
Why kill them, when one of the adults could have opened the safe?
I’m sure there is more to the story.
By: Irv on July 17, 2009
at 4:24 pm
I would love to kill all these animals for doing what they did. Just when I though I heard it all in killing people. These pieces of shit do the most heinous crime ever.
They don’t deserve to breathe, eat, sleep, or be alive. I believe in ana eye for an eye. Me, I would have done what a thrid world country would have done by now. Please give me the job to toture them all in a 4 by 4 foot cell. They would consider hell as a option just to get away from me.
Someone give me the assignmentto rip them up and send the rest and whatever is left to the birds to feed off anfter they are dumped there.,
Their families should be inpain every day for giving birth to such animals. if a piece of shit talk ot me like that as he talked to his girlfriend. I would have been out of there packed up and the have someone come back and set his ass on fires with muriatic, sulfuric and alcohol all over his nasty ugly bodies. Andlet them all beg for help like this couple begged for help before you snuffed them out and I show oyu the same mercy.
Satan is waiting for you all, your names are already written in his book, he is just waiting for oyu ot get there. And you’ll be begging for please, please I don’t mean it. You all made your choice foe eternity so die and suffer.
By: angered on July 18, 2009
at 7:36 pm
I do not understand why hln does not back the daughter of the billings to take care of the children? Quit with the bull and support the folks that are willing to take on the responsibility of all these babies we will doonate and/or contribute to the care of this family. Quit acting like fools and help/ do not seperate this family! HELP!!!!!!
By: tammy on July 20, 2009
at 6:30 pm
THANK GOD FOR REAL HUMAN CONSCIONS
By: tammy on July 20, 2009
at 6:32 pm
I would have made perfect spelling however I do not care there is babies in the realm, let’s help. This is sick!
By: tammy on July 20, 2009
at 6:35 pm
If anyone of my children would be sick enough to hurt an innocent person I would not protect anyone of them this more than sad it is EVIL!!!!!!!
By: tammy on July 20, 2009
at 6:38 pm
Don’t put people on a pedestal. I think before this is over
the Billings are going to have some skeletons in the closet.
Negative things already coming out.
By: susan eros on July 20, 2009
at 8:33 pm
However, please don’t come here to talk negative about the victims. I don’t allow that here for any victims.
By: mylifeofcrime on July 21, 2009
at 5:19 am
Nancy on 06-13-09 wrote (regarding Gonzalez Jr.):
Here’s a link to his myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/billherkel
**First, I think all of us who are on this blog have seen some crappy MySpace pages. But Gonzalez’s page is beyond crappy. If I were into conspiracy’s I would say this MySpace account (and the “friends” MySpace pages – make sure you check out the friends pictures & their pages), are about as fake-looking and shitty as I’ve ever seen!
They really ALL look like they were created by someone in a hurry and not very imaginative.
Also, at the very top of “his” page, the comments made are:
“making a move for humanity”Mood: adventurous” posted at 12:53AM THE DAY OF THE MURDERS (July 9th)!!!
Give me a damn break! Whoever made that site and the “friends” sites should be ashamed! That friggin POS hillbilly probably doesn’t even own a computer much less sat his lazy, murdering ass down to start a MySpace account!
Also his pic looks circa 1970! Gonzalez Jr. is only 35. That picture, too, is BS since the grown man in the photo would be in his 50’s/60’s today!
I have a feeling there’s something super big behind this story!
By: RUSerious? on July 21, 2009
at 9:22 am
Mr Obvious
You are either a juvenile (in which case I would forgive your comments)..or you are simply uninformed which I assume it is the latter.
Susan Eros..even if the Billings were to have “things in the background”…soooo? what might you have in your background if someone were to dig deep enough? Everyone has something big or small in their backgrounds that they are not proud of..but what does that have to do with anything and why do you bring it up?
The Billings were wealthy (yes) adopted children that other people did not want or could not take care of and provided them with a wonderful life (yes)…So who are you to point fingers or make derogatory remarks about a husband and wife that were murdered by a group of misfits and criminals…are you trying to make THEM the criminals?.
By: Jo on July 27, 2009
at 10:11 am
RUSerious :
Actually it was the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that validated the authenticity of the MySpace page from the link above. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that they probably know a bit more about its origins than you do. Just sayin’. : )
By: Nancy on July 27, 2009
at 1:06 pm
I don’t think it’s off-base or unfair to talk about some of Billings shadier dealings. The way that he conducted business may be quite relevant – it’s very possible that it put him the company of the very people that planned his murder. I’m sure that time will tell. I think that the Billings provided a loving home for the children that they adopted, but they were by no means saints. Byrd Billings was known to be, well..a bit crazy. Most recently, he tried to copyright the names of hisadopted children and then when DCS would send documents or correspondence that included the names of those children, he would demand payment of millions in silver coins and threaten lawsuits,etc. Something was not right in the Billings house. Nothing they did deserves the end that they met, but if any of their actions brought them across the paths of the lowlife group that killed them, then it’s relevant.
By: Nancy on July 27, 2009
at 1:12 pm
more on Gonzalez, another “attempted” hit and panhandle corruption:
http://markturnerandfriends.blogspot.com/
By: angela on August 14, 2009
at 8:49 pm
Nancy, where did you learn that Byrd Billings was doing what you’re saying he did? I’d like to read about it myself.
By: Tony on August 18, 2009
at 2:35 pm
Tony – it was all in the Pensacola News Journal newspaper. I believe that all of the articles are archived online. Recently more details of the actual murder have been revealed – there was actually a child in the bedroom with the parents when they were killed. He saw everything. There’s no punishment harsh enough for the animals that did this.
http://www.pnj.com
By: Nancy on August 18, 2009
at 4:30 pm
Thanks Nancy.
By: Tony on August 19, 2009
at 5:55 am
My mom was actually one of the boys teacher’s here in Salina, KS.
By: Kevin on November 5, 2009
at 8:11 am