| Murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Date | July 9, 2009 |
| Weapons | Gun |
| Deaths | 2 |
No. of participants | 8 |
| Motive | home invasion |
| Accused | see Perpetrators |
| Charges | first-degree murder and home invasion robbery |
The murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings occurred on or about July 9, 2009, in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Byrd Billings, 66, and his wife, Melanie, 43, were found shot to death on July 9, 2009.[1] The suspects, dressed in "ninja garb,"[2] stole a safe and other items during the break-in at the sprawling Billings home west of Pensacola. Nine of their children were home at the time, but were not hurt by the intruders.[1] The family's attorney said that the safe contained jewelry, family papers, and prescription medications.[3]
Byrd Starling Billings divorced his second wife Cynthia Reeve Billings in January 1993.[4] Four months later, he married his third wife, Melanie Anne Billings (née Brock).[4][5] Melanie Billings had two biological children from previous relationships, Ashley Markham[6][7] and Nicole "Nikki" Billings (died in 2008).[6][8][9] Melanie was 17 years old when she gave birth to Ashley and 19 years old when she gave birth to Nikki.[7]
Byrd Billings reportedly had two biological children also (not with Melanie Billings).[10]
They had a total of 16 children, including each other's stepchildren and adoptive children.[11][12][nb 1] One source said 13 of the children were adopted.[15] Before the couple's murder, three of their adopted children, many of whom had special needs, had died.[10]
At the time of their death, Melanie Billings owned a used car lot and Byrd Billings had a company named Worldco Financial Services.[5][16] Byrd Billings was also a used car dealer and former strip club owner.[5][17]
Seven men were charged with first-degree murder and home invasion robbery, and an eighth suspect was charged with being an accessory after the fact.[13]
In October 2010, Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. was on trial for first-degree murder facing a possible death sentence in Escambia County Circuit Court in Pensacola.[18] The Billings had 16 cameras located around the residence to help them observe their children, and some of the video footage was shown in court.[18] Gonzalez was identified in one video by Frederick Thornton, one of his accomplices, as the person who shot Byrd Billings.[18]
On February 17, 2011, it was announced that Gonzalez was to be sentenced to death for the first-degree murders. On April 10, 2014, Gonzalez's conviction and sentence of death were affirmed on direct appeal by the Florida Supreme Court.[19]
A total of eight people were convicted for planning and participating in the crimes. The five criminals who entered the Billings' home, the two criminals who drove the getaway vehicles, and the criminal who helped dispose of the stolen property, were all found/pled guilty and received the following sentences:[19][20]