PENSACOLA, FL – Police gained important clues about the July 9 murder of a wealthy Florida couple from surveillance cameras that were installed in and around their home.
Byrd and Melanie Billings of Beulah, a well-to-do couple who were raising 16 children, were each shot several times as they slept in the bedroom of their home. One motive was robbery, claim Escambia County police.
The hidden camera system was key to the arrest of six men and one juvenile within a week of the murder. From the video footage, police were able to get physical descriptions for many of the suspects, despite the fact that they were wearing black ninja-style clothing and masks. The surveillance cameras also picked up a clear image of the weapons and a getaway car.
As is true of many homeowners who have property in remote areas, the Billingses sought to protect it and their family with a sophisticated security camera system. The couple and their large brood of children, 12 of whom are adopted, lived near the woods. Every room in their large home, and the property outside, was wired with motion-activated surveillance cameras. The cameras were installed not only for security from intruders, but also so the parents could keep an eye on the children. Most had special needs including Down syndrome and autism.
In custody for the crime are: Wayne Coldiron, 41; Leonard Gonzalez, 56; Leonard Gonzalez Jr., 35; Gary Lamont Sumner, 30; Fredrick Lee Thornton, 19; Donald Ray Stallworth, 28; and an unnamed, 16-year-old juvenile. The Gonzalez men are father and son. An eighth suspect is still at large, police said.
The couple owned several businesses, including a financial company and used car lot. They often opened up their home for philanthropic events.
People around the small town near Pensacola are shocked, not only because the Billingses were referred to by many as “angels” for their generous dispositions, but that the deaths were so brutal.
Police said the attack was organized, swift and precise, suggesting that it was practiced like a military maneuver. Surveillance camera footage shows a team of people, driving up to the home in an old, red van from the 1970s or 1980s. Three men got out of the van and entered from the front door. A different surveillance camera captured the image of two other men, coming out of the woods and entering a back utility door that was apparently unlocked. One suspect might have tried to disable the surveillance system, but failed.
From the time and date stamp on the surveillance tape, police determined that the group was on the property for less than 10 minutes. And although the house was large with nine bedrooms, the robbers maneuvered in and out in only four minutes. A safe was taken from the property. None of the nine children who were home at the time of the murder were hurt.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said police were aware of the family’s video surveillance system and that the suspects might have had the same knowledge. Many people use surveillance cameras for security because they own summer homes in Florida or travel frequently on business.
In the case of the Billingses, the surveillance cameras provided key evidence that led to quick arrests.
Police have not found a relationship link between any of the suspects to the couple, except to assume that at least one has been on the property before. Some of the suspects worked together in a car detailing business.
The couple had been married for 18 years.
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Tags: monitor, Murder, Surveillance
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