Brien was one of the filmmakers first sources, and she quickly became central to the documentary. and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. Officers responded to a car crash shortly before midnight and discovered the driver had. Bud Billings, 66, and his wife, Melanie, 43, were found shot to death on July 9, 2009. Thornton told detectives essentially the same story. The arrest would lead to several people put behind bars including Lenny. 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. We are not going to have answers, Benally said. Interviews are stitched together with footage pulled from the social media accounts of the young women, along with clips from media reports. The first-ever documentary film series about one of America's most infamous unsolved serial murder cases. One of the vehicles used in the burglary was later traced to Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr. Never-before-seen video footage reveals a deadly boat ride that spurs the toppling of a powerful dynasty. 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. Directors Ian Clark Ben Mole top of page. However, during the time leading up to the murders, Leonard Jrs business wasnt doing well. American Prairie distributed 10 bison to the Chippewa Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy Reservation and 35 to the Kalispel Tribe in Washington. Most of the nearly 80 people attending dressed in red, a symbol of the MMIW movement. Wake Up Clear and Focused, Sleep with Somnus! Before running a used-car dealership in a run-down part of town, Byrd had been a strip club owner. Leonard Gonzalez first shot Bud in the legs and then dragged him into the main bedroom where he and his wife, Melanie, were both shot multiple times. They. He owned a pressure-cleaning business, and police believed he and Coldiron had done work at the home. Two new docs aim to change that, Montana film, actor among Indigenous works making unprecedented splash at Sundance, Selena Not Afraid's death ruled accidental, We are in need: Bill would help missing person searches, Bill would extend and expand Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, 'Somehow our normal': Several Indigenous people missing in southeast Montana. The authorities believed that the shooting happened in the bedroom in front of the child. He admitted to painting the car over to disguise it. He was with three other men identified as Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, and Gary Sumner, names that Leonard Gonzalez had revealed to authorities. We are given a chance to present this information and these stories in however way we want to present them, Benally said. The National Indigenous Womens Resource Center, based in Lame Deer, partnered with filmmakers to offer advocacy and resources. entrepreneur Byrd Bud Billings, 66, and his wife, Melinda, 43. were found in the master bedroom of the sprawling estate. I hope this series provides education and insight, he said. The couple dedicated their lives to taking care of these kids. We are not investigative journalists, either. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, After escaping 'religious cult', Montana woman faces new challenges with honeyberry farm, 'Buffalo take care of us': First Blackfeet buffalo hunt open to all was a success, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Business Buzz: New coffee shop, bakery opens in Missoula, 'A hearty animal': Yaks roam 1,000-acre ranch outside of Kalispell, Name of man killed during Clinton Market incident released, Homeless Missoulians get creative to survive extreme cold. From a young age, I was taught to never go anywhere alone, Benally said. "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. It certainly added an element to the series that I think is quite important for people to see and to hear.. We have all the questions in the world, and we dont have the answers.. Was the money the motive for the double homicide? 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. After years of closing the case of the murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings, spectators thought that justice had been served. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. When detectives interviewed Tice, he claimed that he was far from the only person who had issues with Bud Billings. 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. This is greater than myself, and I felt spiritually competent and confident enough to ensure that this would be done in a good way, especially in regard to family, Benally said. In the end, everyone involved was either convicted or pled guilty and was sentenced appropriately. You can cancel at any time. All were charged with first-degree murder apart from Wiggins, who was charged with being an accessory. 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. As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. Patrick Gonzalez was allowed to leave. Now, not only are people learning about Indigenous people, but Indigenous people are behind the camera telling these stories.. Byrd was found face down by the foot of their bed. Shes a journalist based in Hardin who grew up on the Crow Reservation and is the central narrator in the production. Detectives questioned the Billings children, and Justin. 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. He was shot thrice in the head. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The Fort Belknap Indian Community Council announced a tribal police officer would be allowed to return to his regular duties after he shot and. Five people jumped out, Det. Women holding esteemed places in Indian nations, violence against Native women started very early.. Since 2005, this award-winning blog has offered insights into the news and politics of Northwest Florida. Ayasha Momberg, 6, holds a photo of her cousin Ashley Heavyrunner Loring, 20, who disappeared from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in north-central Montana in the summer of 2017. She submitted a piece of art to theCreative Nativecompetition. We knew right from the beginning we did not want this to be newsy or information-driven, Galkin said. 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. Keeping the community informed is important. They were the parents of 17 children, 13 of whom were adopted most of whom had disabilities. 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. One of the most important parts is the supplements they take. Since colonization, our Native women have been targeted. Shacaiah Blue Harding, who was last seen in the Billings area in 2018 and is assumed to be a victim of sex trafficking, is also featured. Was. The Billings had sixteen security cameras throughout the home. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. While Native Americans comprise about 6.7% of Montanas population, they account for, on average, 26% of the states active missing persons cases. 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. All three girls profiled in the film went missing after attending house parties and were found dead nearby. Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer: Directed by Nick Searcy. What the footage does show is so clear in uncovering exactly what happened. The death of 16-year-old Selena Not Afraid has been ruled accidental. Two of the women were never found. 1. 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. As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. The gang stole a safe and a briefcase from the home leading to prosecutors declaring the motive as greed. He was sentenced to death and is currently on death row. Bear Dont Walk remembers watching, listening and drawing . Byrd Billings, 66, was shot multiple times in the head and legs. The first two shots to Buds legs were captured on camera. More than 2 people lost their lives July 9, 2009. Byrd was a successful entrepreneur who made his money in the used car business and explored other opportunities. Historic low temps are possible on Thursday. After seeing the nationally publicized case, Pensacola native, Jimmie Lee Staley started looking into the case and found some questionable details that had been left out. None of them were harmed in the incident. Theyd both been shot multiple times. The Billings family was well-known in the Pensacola, Florida, area. 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. This is the story of the victims, their families, the investigation,and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. 2. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The films range from dramatic narratives and documentaries to experimental works, horror and comedy. 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