Couple With 16 Kids Killed During Home Invasion

Florida Murder Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot in their home Thursday night. Investigators say eight of the children were home at the time of the shooting.

by WKRG Staff

Published: Thu, July 09, 2009 - 10:21 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, July 10, 2009 - 1:53 pm CST

Beulah, FL - The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is searching for three men they say shot and killed the mother and father of 16 children during a home invasion/robbery.

According to deputies, Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot just before eight Thursday night at their home on Mobile Highway in the Beulah Community. Beulah is about 17 miles northwest of Pensacola, near the Alabama/Florida state line.

Investigators say eight of the children, ages 8-14, were home when the couple was shot. One of the kids heard the gunshots and called a family friend. Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Ted Roy says one of them parents was shot in the head. Autopsies have not been completed.
The Billings have 16 children; 12 of them adopted, some of whom have special needs.

Deputies are looking for the red, full size van seen in these photos and three white males. The house did have a security surveillance system. Deputies say they could be releasing some of the surveillance video later today.

We'll have more on this story on News 5 at 5:00 and 6:00.

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ickthus Says:

Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 11:43 am

i was a little right. some of the guys had worked at the home before. they maded a plan to come back and take there money. they all can not fry fast enough

4real Says:

Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 11:07 am

So sad.

ickthus Says:

Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 10:47 am

I’m guessing here, but was this a work crew like roofers they owed money to?

ouachita Says:

Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 10:15 am

Florida has the death penalty, so, assuming these guys are tired and convicted, this appears to be a good case to apply it in. I feel pretty sure the AG and staff are currently looking hard at seeking such a sentence.

Night Owl Says:

Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 8:26 am

Amen Outlaw. These people are scum. Probably knew the people, or at least some of their habits.

I hope the kids make it through this OK.

God Bless them…..

alabamaoutlaw Says:

Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 2:01 am

I am not an LE ,but I do believe if i had the photos i could get the tag number, Damn good view of the van in the rear.Three white males, wouldn’t care if they were green anyone who would do this is the scum of the earth .Why kill them ? Do you think the father or mother knew them and were killed to keep them quite.God bless the little ones who had found a place of sanctuary on to have it taken away.
Alabamaoutlaw

shortysouth Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 7:28 pm

God be with those children.I will keep them in my prays.Hope someone will take all of the children so they can stay together.They don"t need to lose each other.May they find the people who did this, lock them up and they suffer the way this children are.

KxVicious Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 7:28 pm

Such kind-hearted people to adopt all of those children. I wish there were more people in this world like them, such a shame for the world to lose them.

I hope they catch the monsters that did this.

alabamaoutlaw Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 4:49 pm

Somebody remembers this van,Kinda one of a kind now days lets see how long it takes to drag them in,maybe a two rock reward.Show them no mercy.
Alabamaoutlaw

minimay87 Says:

Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 3:05 pm

This is sad. They look like a beautiful family. All those infants and toddlers that will never get to truly know their parents. What will happen to the ones that were adopted? Is their a family member that is willing to keep them all together or are they going to have to go back through the adoption agency? Just a sad situation. Only scum would do something like this. Knowing that they were taking these children’s parents away forever. Doing it right in front of the kids. Disgusting and inexcusable.

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