Billings murder is unfolding as a major and very tragic story

[grantcart]

A day laborer was arrested earlier in the killing of the wealthy couple that dedicated themselves to helping children in need. A few hours later two more were arrested.

This appears to be the begining of a very tragic and sad story:

Here is some background on the family

picture here http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?template=zoom&Site=DP&Date=20090710&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=907100342&Ref=AR

The Billings family was profiled in the News Journal on Christmas Day 2005. At the time, they were parents of 16 children, 12 of whom were adopted. There were eight adopted children in the home at the time of the shootings, and none was harmed, Morgan said.

Several of the children are disabled, and Morgan said they are being cared for by family members.



story referred to is here: http://www.pnj.com/article/20090710/NEWS01/907100342



Video and pictures of the van that led to the arrest is here:

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090712/NEWS01/907120325/1006/NEWS01


This is from the AP as quoted at HP:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/12/byrd-and-melanie-billings_0_n_230271.html

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Two men were held late Sunday on open murder charges in the slaying of a wealthy Florida Panhandle couple known for adopting children with developmental disabilities.

Day laborer Wayne Coldiron turned himself in to Escambia County authorities and Leonard P. Gonzalez Jr. was arrested in neighboring Santa Rosa County, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said.

Earlier Sunday, 56-year-old Leonard P. Gonzalez Sr. was charged with evidence tampering. Police said he tried to paint over and hide damage on a red van that was spotted on surveillance video leaving the home where Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot to death Thursday while eight of their children slept.

Coldiron, who was known to work with area car dealers, was friends with the elder Gonzalez, Morgan said.

More arrests are expected.

The Billings were killed in their spacious, nine-bedroom home in a rural area west of Pensacola near the Alabama state line. The house had an extensive surveillance system that authorities said captured three apparently experienced criminals swiftly slipping into the house before leaving and driving off in the red van. Tips from the public led police to the van Saturday.

Morgan said the investigation involves a complex web of relationships between suspects, though he declined to elaborate on them. He said it did not appear that the suspects knew the victims, though the companies the Billingses owned included a used car dealership.

"We are very anxious to share this story ... it's going to be a humdinger, I'll tell you that," he said earlier in the day.

[inna]

1. jesus. those kids needed their parents, to say the least. what a heinous crime. nt

[grantcart]

2. we are about to hear alot about some very terrible people

[Luminous Animal]

3. Really? Why?

[grantcart]

5. The people who murdered the Billings appear to be very evil people

The facts as they seem to have developed so far is that the murderers acted very quickly leading police to believe that they had previous experience. They apparently had no relationship to the victims and simply murdered as part of a home invasion.

The Billings situation was well known and they created 16 orphans, many of the children with disabilities, apparently without a second thought.

[Luminous Animal]

6. I misinterpreted your post.

I thougt you were predicting more evil people than those in the story. Now I understand that you mean we will here more about the evil people named in the story.

[LisaL]

7. No.

Article says more arrests are expected.

[LisaL]

4. Do you really have to ask?

Considering the sheriff said "We are very anxious to share this story ... it's going to be a humdinger, I'll tell you that," he said earlier in the day."

[Raine]

8. That article written in 2005 tells

way too much about the setup of the house and security system and the family's finances, the paper should never have given so much detail. :-(

edit: added a word.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. I'm still not understanding what the story is beyond the Billings being killed