On July 9, 2009, gunmen broke into Melanie and Byrd "Bud" Billings' home and killed them while they lay in bed. Patrick Gonzalez was then questioned and denied everything. In October 2010, Leonard Jr, then 35, was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion. It was very important to us to not go down the road to overload people with information and statistics.. A nation is not defeated until the heart of its women are on the ground, Simpson said in the series, sharing a Cheyenne proverb. I hope this series provides education and insight, he said. He was known to keep cash stashed away in a home safe located upstairs. One of the most important parts is the supplements they take. Filmmakers Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin spent more than two years working on the documentary. 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. It was the home of Leonard Gonzalez, whose wife spoke with investigators. Though he and Melanie had been married 18 years, Byrd "Bud" Billings had been married two times before. 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. 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. The death of 16-year-old Selena Not Afraid has been ruled accidental. The next, they were innocent victims of a methodical murder plot. 2. He was. 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. 1. On July 9, 2009 in Pensacola, Florida, a group of masked men entered Byrd and Melanies vast home at dusk and murdered the couple in what was thought to be a robbery case. For one, the getaway van that had linked Patrick with the murder case had multiple problems, including a busted second gear and reverse gear. Now, not only are people learning about Indigenous people, but Indigenous people are behind the camera telling these stories.. 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. Some speculated that the Billings adopted children so that they could receive money from the government. We are given a chance to present this information and these stories in however way we want to present them, Benally said. On July 11, a caller reported that a van matching the description of the one sheriffs were after was behind a shed at a residence in West Pensacola. Investigators tracked down Leonard Gonzalez and brought him in for questioning. agreed 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., Detectives focused on the crime scene videos and observed the black boots worn by the home invaders. He reached out to Benally, who was hesitant at first to work with a non-Native on a film about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Is anyone feeling that the mom has strong narcissistic vibes, I worked on both cases. The ongoing murder investigation has led to eight arrests, but Ashley is still searching for answers. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. There was a problem saving your notification. . 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. I think the series does a really good job of explaining all the components that come together that have created this situation.. the money the motive for the double homicide? 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. entrepreneur Byrd Bud Billings, 66, and his wife, Melinda, 43. were found in the master bedroom of the sprawling estate. Great Burn: 'One of the last best places' but for whom? Telling the communitys stories is important, Brien said. When Chelysa Owens-Cyr got the call, she was stunned. : Emails From Death Row chronicles the complex case that had multiple people involved in the burglary plan, with everyone eventually facing justice. The grants, which range from $12,000 to $14,000 each, were awarded through the Montana Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant. The murders of Bud and Melanie Billings occurred on or about July 9, 2009, in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Keeping the community informed is important. Authorities also learned that he had a power-washing business and had worked at the Billings home before. The concept of a killer is terrifying enough, as it is hard for most people. Investigators learned that Bud Billings was a successful businessman who ran a finance company. : Emails From Death Row chronicles the complex case that had multiple people involved in the burglary plan, with everyone eventually facing justice. The series does, however, give potentially global visibility to the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people while placing it within a historical context. Ivan said authentic Native representation in film is vital. However, these allegations have not been proved. 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. Investigators tracked down Leonard Gonzalez and brought him in for questioning. We are not investigative journalists, either. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The National Indigenous Womens Resource Center, based in Lame Deer, partnered with filmmakers to offer advocacy and resources. Read More: How Did Megan Leann Holden Die? You can cancel at any time. All three girls profiled in the film went missing after attending house parties and were found dead nearby. In a moment of intense poignancy during the documentary, Brien brings her daughter, Aurelia, to the county fairgrounds, where decades earlier Briens aunt had been found dead. The individuals behind the crime took the wrong one, according to investigators. Was the money the motive for the double homicide? 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. By the spring of 1989, the remains of nine victims had been discovered along the highways surrounding the city. 51m. The series will premiere at Sundance, the largest independent film festival in the U.S., on Jan. 22. 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. But its an important thing that we are going through as Native communities, and the world at large needs to know, Brien said. You can cancel at any time. Also, 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene. Rae Senarighi, best known for colorful abstracts, intricate typography and vivid portraiture, is bringing his exhibition, Transcend, to the Holter Museum of Art in Helena. For instance, the skin under Byrds fingers was there after he grabbed his killer. 43 m IMDb RATING 7.0 /10 34 YOUR RATING Rate Documentary Crime In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. She and her husband had brought their yacht there for repairs, but police suspected she may have been trying to flee to Mexico. Jake was mute and could only help the police by using sign language; however, he later proved instrumental in solving the crime. The third and final episode does not tie a neat bow around the cases, nor does it attempt to solve them. Dylan Eason and Isaiah Churchwell were convicted of murdering Cynthia William "Patrick" Alexander remains in prison for murder. Five people jumped out, Det. M. Weve been historically excluded from that space, and theres been misinformation and miseducation. Patrick collected overdue bills for her. He initially said the van belonged to his son, Patrick, and hadnt been running for a while. Found the resolution to each, I know who really killed Chanin, her husband did not, I have so many questions about this story. A movie about the crimes and trial of Kermit Gosnell, an American doctor and abortion provider who was convicted of killing three fetuses and the involuntary manslaughter of a woman who died during a procedure. It's what they must rely on, to catch the killers and bring them to justice. But theres a reason that you are out there. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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. He owned a pressure-cleaning business, and police believed he and Coldiron had done work at the home. This community has faced hundreds of years of injustice.. The suspects were caught on the familys surveillance system. Byrd was found face down by the foot of their bed. Since colonization, our Native women have been targeted. Patrick Gonzalez was allowed to leave. HeavyRunner, 20, was last seen on the Blackfeet Reservation in 2017. 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. 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. Two Medicine Water Company is facing penalties at the Browning Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Facility and Two Medicine Water Treatment Plant on . The arrest would lead to several people put behind bars including Lenny. So, the news of their murders as part of a burglary shocked everyone. 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. We put this team together so we wouldnt be performing parachute journalism or extractive storytelling, Galkin said. Shes a journalist based in Hardin who grew up on the Crow Reservation and is the central narrator in the production. His tenure was brief with the sheriffs office just eight months and his first major case was Selena Not Afraids disappearance. The Karate Killers airs at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery. Soon, others involved were arrested as well: Donnie Stallworth, Wayne Coldiron, Frederick Thornton, Rakeem Florence, and Gary Sumner. Fortunately, none of the children were harmed. July 17, 2009. This is the story of, The Highway Murders. Detectives questioned the Billings children, and Justin provided a possible lead. All Rights Reserved, Slender Man stabbing, Waukesha, Wisconsin, Though he and Melanie had been married 18 years, Byrd "Bud" Billings had been married two times before. Netflix launched its marketing campaign for this seven-part documentary series as if 'The Keepers' was your typical true crime murder mystery - but all was not as it seemed. It provides a crash course in the scandals and deaths that have engulfed the old-money Murdaugh family for years, including a fatal boating accident, the mysterious deaths of a family housekeeper. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Ivan and Ivy MacDonald are sibling Blackfeet filmmakers. If you, or someone you know, has relevant information. 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. 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. That DNA doesnt match anyone arrested. Survivors reflect on the shocking boat crash that killed vibrant teenager Mallory Beach - and the demons that haunted troubled driver Paul Murdaugh. As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! He was concerned about being arrested in front of his children, according to investigators. Historic low temps are possible on Thursday. Cohen Anayas self portrait will be on display as part of Transilience, featuring artwork from transgender, nonbinary and two-spirit artists from in and around Montana. Most of the nearly 80 people attending dressed in red, a symbol of the MMIW movement. The individuals behind the crime took the wrong one, according to investigators. "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. We are filmmakers, and we can only do so much.. The authorities had a lot to work with right away because the place was rigged with many security cameras. They. This week on Reasonable Doubt, the team takes on the Raul and Cathy Sarinana were sentenced to death for abusing Would love your thoughts, please comment. Over 50 women have been strangled in the west and southside of Chicago in the last two decades. She was later charged with being an accessory after the fact. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. Making a Murderer is an American true crime documentary that had taken the Internet by storm upon its release. Investigators rounded up the suspected members of the deadly robbery crew, although Patrick Gonzalez turned himself in. All were charged with first-degree murder apart from Wiggins, who was charged with being an accessory. On July 9, 2009, Bud and Melanie were killed by a murderous group of thugs. Murder in Big Horn, a three-part documentary set on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations, will premiere at the internationally acclai, Two documentaries, "Black and Missing" and "Murdered and Missing in Montana," break the true-crime mold and instead highlight cases of Black a. 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. 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 films range from dramatic narratives and documentaries to experimental works, horror and comedy. Benally joined the project after being contacted by fellow director Matthew Galkin, who admittedly came to the project with no awareness of the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Myiahfe Low, 6, holds a candle in 2020 while a round dance song is played at a candlelight vigil outside the Helena Indian Alliance. Theres very little thats more gut-wrenching than injustice, yet it would surprise many how much of it happens under our noses. The couple dedicated their lives to taking care of these kids. Eiteljorg Museum Curator Dorene Red Cloud said Sean Chandler was a clear choice for the selectors., Its been crazy, said Elias Jade NotAfraid. He admitted to painting the car over to disguise it. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer: Directed by Nick Searcy. 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. Theyreviewed 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. What these families have lost is universally relatable. Wake Up Clear and Focused, Sleep with Somnus! This story is printed with the permission of the Montana Free Press. Stars: Steven Avery, Dolores Avery, Laura Nirider, Allan Avery Votes: 97,693 2. In business, Bud Billings wouldnt give you a dime unless you gave him 29 cents back, Tice told authorities in a recorded interview. To learn more about the case, watch Floribama Murders, airing Saturdays at 9/8c on Oxygen. In exchange for a plea deal, she revealed the whereabouts of the items. Authorities moved right away to find the six people connected to the murderer, including five people who . Showtime documentary focuses on Montana cases of missing, murdered Indigenous girls. For more information on the series, visit sho.com/murder-in-big-horn. It certainly added an element to the series that I think is quite important for people to see and to hear.. 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.. He claimed his father had brain damage and that the van barely moved in a recorded interview with authorities. Melanie, Byrds wife, was twenty years younger than him. One moment, they were sleeping peacefully in their Florida home. What followedquicklybecameone of the most infamous unsolved serial murder cases in American history. A bill brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf on behalf of the State-Tribal Relations Committee aims to bolster these community-led search efforts. Ivy and I have always understood that the ways in which non-Indigenous people learn about Indigenous people is through media, Ivan MacDonald said. To be able to meet the manifest destiny of the American dream, they needed to rid the lands of the first people who were living there. Aiello was the oldest man suspect ever held in the county, but he died before he could stand trial for murder. As soon as we walked in that door, we knew.. None of them were harmed in the incident. 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. Nora Mabie is the Indigenous Communities reporter for Lee Montana. Three days after the murder, a man was arrested after leads noted that his van matched the description of the getaway vehicle in the Billings murder. Theyd both been shot multiple times. The Billings family was well-known in the Pensacola, Florida, area. I dont think the issue is real.. The next, they were innocent victims of a methodical murder plot. of Corrections. Examining the footage, it was clear that multiple suspects were involved in the burglary and it was exceptionally well planned. Leonard Gonzalez told sheriffs that he was with six other men in the van, including Patrick. We had to really balance the series, so when Native families or people watch this, they are not feeling like they are being exploited.. At the time of filming, Brien was the general manager and editor of Big Horn County News. What followedquicklybecameone of the most infamous unsolved serial murder cases in American history. I knew that going in, and I knew that because Matthew and I are not private investigators. Murder In Big Horn, which focuses on the murders of three Indigenous women in Montana, will be available on Showtime starting Feb. 3. I was confident in my ability to create a large commercial doc series, but the content was foreign to me, and I wanted it to be authentic, Galkin said. 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. Accused triggerman Patrick Gonzalez, meanwhile, took his chances in court. Scenes were filmed in Billings, Hardin, Lame Deer and Crow Agency. Follow the links to read about more shocking crimes profiled on ID. The original story can be accessed here. Cases of missing, murdered Indigenous girls he owned a pressure-cleaning business, much. In however way we want to present them, Benally said based in Hardin who grew on... Montana cases of missing, murdered Indigenous girls in for questioning deadly robbery crew, although Patrick turned... Resource Center, based in Hardin who grew up on the shocking boat crash that killed vibrant teenager Mallory -. 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