Read More: How Did Megan Leann Holden Die? Scenes are filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. When police searched the van, they found nothing that tied it to the murders. You article ignores many facts. I knew that going in, and I knew that because Matthew and I are not private investigators. Found the resolution to each, I know who really killed Chanin, her husband did not, I have so many questions about this story. The story you haven't been told about Patrick Gonzalez Jr. Detectives questioned the Billings children, and Justin provided a possible lead. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The Billings had a total of 16 children, some of whom were from previous marriages and some who had been adopted by the couple. At some point in the third hour, it needed to transcend being a true-crime documentary, Galkin said. As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. Billings police investigate the scene of a homicide on the 200 block of South 29th Street at 2 a.m. Sunday. Brien walks the viewer through the complexities of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and other agencies that respond to crimes on reservations and the jurisdictional issues and systematic failures that can happen during those investigations. Investigators tracked down Leonard Gonzalez and brought him in for questioning. There was a problem saving your notification. Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer: Directed by Nick Searcy. Authorities said the crime was carried out with military precision, abcnews.go.com reported. Is anyone feeling that the mom has strong narcissistic vibes, I worked on both cases. {{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. I have definitely experienced small-town law enforcement entities that are just unwilling to engage with the media for various reasons, Galkin said. At UM, Bird will work with tribal communities as well as prospective and current Native students to increase retention and provide support. 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. Leonard Gonzalez told sheriffs that he was with six other men in the van, including Patrick. OPRAH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF HARPO, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2023 HARPO PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It was owned by Pamela Long Wiggins, who was in the real estate business. The center is a Native-led nonprofit dedicated to ending violence against Native women and children, and Simpson is featured prominently in the series. By now, most Americans are familiar with the horrific murder of a Pensacola, Florida, couple by the name of Byrd and Melanie Billings. 'Murder in Big Horn' MMIW documentary to premiere at Sundance. The series, "Murder in Big Horn," debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January and will be available for streaming on Showtime Feb. 3, broken into three hour-long episodes. Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty: With Michael Virzi, Ben Heineman. The suspects were caught on the family's surveillance system. Thornton told detectives essentially the same story. 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Patrick would get the death penalty after a three-day trial. But she never expected , Last year, scholarships were up to $10,000 for returning undergraduate applicants, up to $12,500 for graduate and professional students and up. Specifically, Murder in Big Horn follows the cases of Selena Not Afraid, 16, who was found dead in Big Horn County, Kaysera Stops Pretty Places, 18, who was found dead in Hardin, Henny Scott, 14, who was found dead near Lame Deer, and Shacaiah Harding, 19, who was last seen in Billings in 2018. Theyd both been shot multiple times. Soon, others involved were arrested as well: Donnie Stallworth, Wayne Coldiron, Frederick Thornton, Rakeem Florence, and Gary Sumner. PENSACOLA, Fla. (CBS/AP) The ringleader who led a group of armed men dressed as ninjas in the robbery and murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings, a Florida couple known for adopting children with. , the couples oldest children, Ashley and Justin, who were from previous marriages, rushed to the home. It will be available to view online from Jan. 24 to Jan. 29, and it will also premiere on Showtime in the New Year. Authorities moved right away to find the six people connected to the murderer, including five people who . The third and final episode does not tie a neat bow around the cases, nor does it attempt to solve them. suspected murder of his 67-year-old stepdaughter Karen Navarra, single serial killer known as the Chicago Strangler. He said that Cab Tice, whod had business dealings with Bud, had double-crossed his father. When you are Native and you grow up in a community, you just know how to talk to folks, especially elders and older women, Benally said. Melanie was around 25 years old when she met Byrd and the two married in 1993, just four months after Byrds divorce from his second wife. The individuals behind the crime took the wrong one, according to investigators. We found that a series would allow us to go in-depth, as opposed to a singular film, said director Razelle Benally. Power." (Oxygen) Released in December 2021, this 90-minute documentary special, hosted by Troy Roberts, looks into the boat crash, the murders, the insurance fraud and more. Anyone that is older than myself, I have to sit and listen., Benally said she was adamant the production be made in an appropriate and ethical way. A nation is not defeated until the heart of its women are on the ground, Simpson said in the series, sharing a Cheyenne proverb. He had participated and been sentenced to probation for an adoption scam with one of his wives: He and Cindy Reeve had pleaded, Update: Police Release Dead Serial Killers Account of Murder of Samantha Koenig. Tice told . Shes a journalist based in Hardin who grew up on the Crow Reservation and is the central narrator in the production. The authorities believed that the shooting happened in the bedroom in front of the child. In the aftermath of Mallory's death, Alex Murdaugh's damage control raises alarm. 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. Locating the red van was top priority, so law enforcement reached out to the public through the media, according to Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Some speculated that the Billings adopted children so that they could receive money from the government. They were scared to death, investigators said. She submitted a piece of art to theCreative Nativecompetition. Something doesnt, No , the murder happened in Ohio . So much of it is these generations of trauma that we havent had the opportunity to heal from, Simpson says in the series. It certainly added an element to the series that I think is quite important for people to see and to hear.. Jake was mute and could only help the police by using sign language; however, he later proved instrumental in solving the crime. The Billings family was well-known in the Pensacola, Florida, area. The death of 16-year-old Selena Not Afraid has been ruled accidental. Ivy and I have always understood that the ways in which non-Indigenous people learn about Indigenous people is through media, Ivan MacDonald said. The Fort Belknap Indian Community Council announced a tribal police officer would be allowed to return to his regular duties after he shot and. Was the money the motive for the double homicide? Filmmakers Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin spent more than two years working on the documentary. Leonard Gonzalez had been in financial difficulty at the time. . He writes about lifestyle, self-motivation, fitness, and leadership. This is the story of, The Highway Murders . On the evening of July 9, 2009, a brash break-in at the Billings residence led to a horrific conclusion. We knew right from the beginning we did not want this to be newsy or information-driven, Galkin said. Home. The only law enforcement official to comment was Eric Winburn, the former undersheriff for Big Horn County who resigned in August 2020 and now resides in Idaho. Patrick Gonzalez was allowed to leave. Hypothermia is the go-to answer to the dead Indian problem in Montana, Brien says in the documentary. But the Billings ended up being shot and killed. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! . Its an incredibly sad thing to share. Investigation Discoverys Citizen P.I. Now, not only are people learning about Indigenous people, but Indigenous people are behind the camera telling these stories.. If you, or someone you know, has relevant information. The concept of a killer is terrifying enough, as it is hard for most people. 10 The Keepers (2017) 'The Keepers' is a dark, disturbing investigation into the unsolved murder of a nun named Sister Catherine Cesnik. It's what they must rely on, to catch the killers and bring them to justice. Native Americans comprise 6.7% of the states population, yet they account for, on average, 26% of Montanas missing persons population. This case hits home with me, because they lived in my hometown of Pensacola. It was very important to us to not go down the road to overload people with information and statistics.. We put this team together so we wouldnt be performing parachute journalism or extractive storytelling, Galkin said. reviewed surveillance tapes at a Walmart near Patricks home in Santa Rosa County, where they found footage of him purchasing the black boots and black clothing. Accused triggerman Patrick Gonzalez, meanwhile, took his chances in court. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He admitted to painting the car over to disguise it. There are factors that led to that., Our girls dont just die, added Lucy Simpson, executive director for the National Indigenous Womens Resource Center, based in Lame Deer. She gives context and a voice to the generational traumas experienced in Native communities. Patrick Gonzalez was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and armed home invasion robbery. While Wiggins initially claimed she had nothing to do with the murders, she eventually admitted she provided the guns and hid the safe. Wake Up Clear and Focused, Sleep with Somnus! In 1988, eleven women vanished from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts. A multi-agency task force arrested a Billings man Sunday who is accused of several previous crimes, including shooting a man earlier this month in Lockwood. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. The Billings had sixteen security cameras throughout the home. Byrd was known to have money stored in a safe at his home, so the authorities did believe that the crime was financially motivated. The video captured Byrd and Melanie talking to someone by the front door, after which two men dressed in black came up behind Byrd. Scenes were filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. This is the story of the victims, their families, the investigation,and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. What followedquicklybecameone of the most infamous unsolved serial murder cases in American history. More than 2 people lost their lives July 9, 2009. By Chuck Baldwin. Though he and Melanie had been married 18 years, Byrd "Bud" Billings had been married two times before. Weeks later, police were still trying to complete their understanding of the genesis of the scheme and connection of the suspects to the Billings family. Brien was one of the filmmakers first sources, and she quickly became central to the documentary. In the end, everyone involved was either convicted or pled guilty and was sentenced appropriately. He had taken a loan from Byrd to set up a martial arts studio. Telling the communitys stories is important, Brien said. 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. In exchange for a plea deal, she revealed the whereabouts of the items. His tenure was brief with the sheriffs office just eight months and his first major case was Selena Not Afraids disappearance. Billings murder documentary on Investigation Discovery channel tonight @ 9 pm, PS Podcast: Patty Hightower on school safety, PS: Rep. Clay Ingram gives latest updates on the Florida House , Salzman wants School Superintendent to resign, Breaking: Humane Society releases CPA report, FPL plans to increase electric bill rates in April, Breaking: School Board to vote on returning to elected superintendent. Two years later, he is at the center of another horrifying event. This is the story of. Mrs. Gonzalez allowed detectives to take the shoe box and to tow the van. She and her husband had brought their yacht there for repairs, but police suspected she may have been trying to flee to Mexico. All perpetrators, even those who cooperated, received lengthy sentences. Examining the footage, it was clear that multiple suspects were involved in the burglary and it was exceptionally well planned. That is something we are trying to be aware of.. 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 was 16. 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. Detectives questioned the Billings children, and Justin. Murder In Big Horn, which focuses on the murders of three Indigenous women in Montana, will be available on Showtime starting Feb. 3. In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. It's very difficult to review this case, as there, The FBi has been murdering people for years since their, Clearly its hard for some people to understand that although, What is taking so long? The MacDonald siblings have been working on documentary storytelling in the Indigenous community for years and are currently producing a documentary, When They Were Here, centered on families whose loved ones went missing or were found dead in the Blackfeet community in northwestern Montana. Before running a used-car dealership in a run-down part of town, Byrd had been a strip club owner. He recruited the others and provided them with the guns, clothing, and boots. He'd incorporated a boat company and a different car company in the 1980s. We internalize that and see it play out in higher rates of domestic violence in our communities these cycles of abuse., Brien, in the series, describes raising her daughter based on situational awareness and keeping her safe., It makes up who we are, Brien said. For instance, the skin under Byrds fingers was there after he grabbed his killer. Making a Murderer (2015-2018) TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Crime 8.6 Rate Filmed over a 10-year period, Steven Avery, a DNA exoneree who, while in the midst of exposing corruption in local law enforcement, finds himself the prime suspect in a grisly new crime. Murders at Moselle. Great Burn: 'One of the last best places' but for whom? For more information, visit festival.sundance.org. Both filmmakers were united in their approach to immersive storytelling and narrative film. The filmmakers provide no closure, but instead bring viewers into Briens world as a reporter, where doors are shut and silence from law enforcement and other potential witnesses is typical. Theres very little thats more gut-wrenching than injustice, yet it would surprise many how much of it happens under our noses. Also, 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene. The series will premiere at Sundance, the largest independent film festival in the U.S., on Jan. 22. And most recently, one of the witnesses came forward, saying his testimony was false. While there are more questions than answers, the Conjuring Justice blog owner hopes that people put in charge of the case will veer away from corrupt practices and see the case without bias or malintent. It was the home of Leonard Gonzalez, whose wife spoke with investigators. Its what they must rely on, to catch the killers and bring them to justice. He was shot thrice in the head. Please subscribe to keep reading. Detectives questioned the Billings children, and Justinprovided a possible lead. The Billings couple had many fostered children, who were all within the home along with some employees and house staff on the day of the murder. Such exploitation is familiar to Benally, who has observed non-Native filmmakers extracting stories from her community the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota for decades. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. By the spring of 1989, the remains of nine victims had been discovered along the highways surrounding the city. You can stream episodes here. The Billings used them to monitor their children. The ringleader Gonzalez also ran a failing karate school, which was another reason why the moniker stuck. Murder in Big Horn, a three-part documentary set on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations, will premiere at the internationally acclaimed Sundance Film Festival. Detectives learned that when the van left the Billings estate they drove to Santa Rosa County, where they dropped it off at an antique mall. - YouTube 0:00 / 9:22 Why Were the Billings Couple Murdered? Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. I couldnt do anything by myself, because I was a girl, and I was a Native girl.. Investigators had also noted that Gonzalez Sr. was flustered on the day police showed up on his door, but no one had noted that he had an array of mental disorders, including schizophrenia. The murders were witnessed by their ten-year-old son, Jake, who at one point was told he was going to be killed, only for another member of the gang who stepped in to stop his accomplice from shooting the youngster. Family members criticized how law enforcement handled the investigation of her death. Ivan and Ivy MacDonald, sibling Blackfeet filmmakers, helped produce the series. Ivan and Ivy produced Blackfeet Boxing: Not Invisible, an award-winning documentary about MMIW and resilience, and they have two other documentaries in post-production stages one on bison revitalization efforts on the Blackfeet Reservation and one on the MMIW crisis in the Blackfeet community. He was first shot in the leg, later being taken into the bedroom with Melanie and one of their children. The next, they were innocent victims of a methodical murder plot. Five people jumped out, Det. Meanwhile. Patrick collected overdue bills for her. Mansion Murder Cam In 1988, eleven women vanished from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts. While DNA tests conducted on the murder weapon and the shell casings didnt conclusively match Leonard Jr, Frederick identified him as the shooter. After years of closing the case of the murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings, spectators thought that justice had been served. Murder in Big Horn, Ivan said, stands out from other MMIW series in its depth and breadth of coverage. He claimed his father had brain damage and that the van barely moved in a recorded interview with authorities. An event on the University of Montana campus honors the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. . What these families have lost is universally relatable. The getaway drivers were believed to be waiting in the car. It was the home of Leonard Gonzalez, whose wife spoke with investigators. The elder Gonzalez may have been on the Billings property for his business. The crime scene photos . After Selena Not Afraids case made national headlines, Showtimes producers approached Galkin with a general pitch. As soon as we walked in that door, we knew.. The others charged were Wayne Coldiron, Patrick Gonzalez, Donnie Ray Stallworth, Gary Sumner, Rakeem Florence, Frederick Lee Thornton Jr., and Pamela Wiggins. Byrd Billings, 66, was shot multiple times in the head and legs. All the historical issues that emanated from colonization hundreds of years ago, that was the butterfly effect of how we got to where we are today.. The ongoing Murdaugh family saga exposes murders, a suspicious death and a complex labyrinth of corruption. I feel like its part of the fabric of Native women in this community. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. RELATED:Man's Secret Identity Exposed After He Viciously Attacked Alabama Mom. But theres a reason that you are out there. After Bud and Melinda Billings were murdered, investigators discovered multiple people were connected to the crime. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! But its an important thing that we are going through as Native communities, and the world at large needs to know, Brien said. The Karate Killers airs at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery. Making a Murderer is an American true crime documentary that had taken the Internet by storm upon its release. He was with three other men identified as Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, and Gary Sumner, names that Leonard Gonzalez had revealed to authorities. A New Option for Performance and Recovery: CannaTape Sport Kinesiology Tape Uses CBD to Improve Every Wrap. Wealthy couple Byrd and Melanie Billings, who had adopted 16 dpecial needs children, were killedin their home during a robbery/home invasion. They. All of them except Patrick Gonzalez agreed to plea deals, resulting in life sentences for Stallworth and Coldiron and lengthy prison terms for the others, according to Floribama Murders.. Authorities had five of the seven suspects in custody and as detectives prepared to question them, the remaining two suspects surfaced: Patrick Gonzalez was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and armed home invasion robbery. This is the most dangerous place for Native women in the country, explained Luella Brien in the series opening. While Ivan said Native people have known about the MMIW crisis for decades, many non-Native viewers may be unaware. Since colonization, our Native women have been targeted. He remains incarcerated at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, but owing to some legal matters, his apparent resentencing is pending. . 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What followedquicklybecameone of the most infamous unsolved serial murder cases in American history. Learn How Brandon Dawson Sold His Business for $151M at 77X EBITDA and Break Through Your Business Plateau, Too! Both of them had two biological children, each from their previous relationships but adopted 12 children, most of them with special needs. One of the children got to a neighbors house, who, in turn, called 911. But eventually, heagreed to tell police everything he knew about the crime including who was in the van, provided prosecutors took a possible death penalty off the table, according to Floribama Murders.. The filmmakers and the NIWRC are creating a collection of resources for Indigenous families, including mental health resources, spearheaded by Ivan MacDonald. One of the most important parts is the supplements they take. Most of the nearly 80 people attending dressed in red, a symbol of the MMIW movement. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Authorities concluded she died of exposure. Please subscribe to keep reading. In fact, all eight that were involved in the robbery/murder were tried and convicted, so why am I looking further into this case? Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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. The cops only witnessone that never lies: surveillance cameras. "They did wonderful things.". For more information on the series, visit sho.com/murder-in-big-horn. He initially said the van belonged to his son, Patrick, and hadnt been running for a while. The remaining suspects were charged with armed home invasion, robbery and murder. So, the news of their murders as part of a burglary shocked everyone. : Emails From Death Row chronicles the complex case that had multiple people involved in the burglary plan, with everyone eventually facing justice. Together, they produced "Murder in Big Horn," which will premiere at Sundance Film Festival in January 2023. That violence continues today, often carried out on the reservation within the communities. Investigators theorized that the Billings case was a money score for Wiggins but turned into a "robbery that went horrifically bad, said Morgan. Officials and advocates say the cases are unique and dont appear to be related. By the spring of 1989, the remains of nine victims had been discovered along the highways surrounding the city. Dylan Eason and Isaiah Churchwell were convicted of murdering Cynthia William "Patrick" Alexander remains in prison for murder. Brien has lived in and around the Crow Reservation her whole life and is the founder of Four Points Press, based in Crow Agency and the only Indigenous news outlet in the region. You have permission to edit this article. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Stars: Steven Avery, Dolores Avery, Laura Nirider, Allan Avery Votes: 97,693 2. The three-part series explores the unsolved deaths of Henny Scott, Kaysera Stops Pretty Places and Selena Not Afraid and the contributing factors to the countys disproportionately high rate of such cases. M. Through interviews with law enforcement, state medical examiners, tribal leaders and victims families, the documentary tells the story of several missing or murdered Indigenous women in Montana. Murder in Big Horn is directed by Razelle Benally, Oglala Lakota/Din, and Matthew Galkin and produced by the MacDonald siblings and Benally. That DNA doesnt match anyone arrested. The young women are remembered through the recollections of family members and friends, who detail their shared barriers to justice and the lack of response from law enforcement officials.