In 1988, eleven women vanished from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts. They carried rifles and wore masks, dressed in black clothes and black boots. The filmmakers and the NIWRC are creating a collection of resources for Indigenous families, including mental health resources, spearheaded by Ivan MacDonald. 3,945 views Jul 19, 2009 Such a senseless murder that has left a community in mourning. 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. This community has faced hundreds of years of injustice.. So much of it is these generations of trauma that we havent had the opportunity to heal from, Simpson says in the series. He was sentenced to death and is currently on death row. A nation is not defeated until the heart of its women are on the ground, Simpson said in the series, sharing a Cheyenne proverb. Please subscribe to keep reading. While DNA tests conducted on the murder weapon and the shell casings didnt conclusively match Leonard Jr, Frederick identified him as the shooter. At some point in the third hour, it needed to transcend being a true-crime documentary, Galkin said. and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. In exchange for a plea deal, she revealed the whereabouts of the items. "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. On July 9, 2009, Bud and Melanie were killed by a murderous group of thugs. But its an important thing that we are going through as Native communities, and the world at large needs to know, Brien said. The video captured Byrd and Melanie talking to someone by the front door, after which two men dressed in black came up behind Byrd. After Bud and Melinda Billings were murdered, investigators discovered multiple people were connected to the crime. The first two shots to Buds legs were captured on camera. He was known to keep cash stashed away in a home safe located upstairs. Get information about the Billings children's special needs trust. 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. I dont think the issue is real.. It didnt take this long. 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 series will premiere at Sundance, the largest independent film festival in the U.S., on Jan. 22. Working in Big Horn County, I dont believe MMIW is real, he added. - YouTube 0:00 / 9:22 Why Were the Billings Couple Murdered? Byrd and Melinda Billings Another safe, a small one in the master bedroom for personal keepsakes and documents, was missing. Filmmakers Razelle Benally and Matthew Galkin spent more than two years working on the documentary. To learn more about the case, watch Floribama Murders, airing Saturdays at 9/8c on Oxygen. A New Option for Performance and Recovery: CannaTape Sport Kinesiology Tape Uses CBD to Improve Every Wrap. The concept of a killer is terrifying enough, as it is hard for most people. 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.. The next, they were innocent victims of a methodical murder plot. Marshals arrest Lockwood shooting suspect outside Billings Godfathers Pizza, Police rule midtown Billings death a homicide; 2nd homicide in 2 months in neighborhood, UPDATE: Montana State Prison escapee caught, Murder in the Magic City: Rising homicide rate may be new normal, Billings bar with history of violence sued by family of homicide victim, 'Murder in Big Horn' MMIW documentary to premiere at Sundance, True-crime TV fuels 'missing white woman syndrome.' 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. 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. Patrick Gonzalez was allowed to leave. It was the home of Leonard Gonzalez, whose wife spoke with investigators. He had participated and been sentenced to probation for an adoption scam with one of his wives: He and Cindy Reeve had pleaded nolo contendre, accepting punishment without admitting guilt. The Big Horn County Sheriffs Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI all declined to participate in the series. I hope this series provides education and insight, he said. This is emotion-driven. Bud Billings, 66, and his wife, Melanie, 43, were found shot to death on July 9, 2009. The tapes showed a large red passenger van had pulled into the driveway at the time of the slayings. Telling the communitys stories is important, Brien said. You can cancel at any time. The cop's only witness one that never lies surveillance cameras. 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. We put this team together so we wouldnt be performing parachute journalism or extractive storytelling, Galkin said. Authorities also learned that he had a power-washing business and had worked at the Billings home before. The Mansion Murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings BY Tricia Romano Tweet Follow @crimelibrary Share Comments A Connection to the Family We found that a series would allow us to go in-depth, as opposed to a singular film, said director Razelle Benally. Officials and advocates say the cases are unique and dont appear to be related. The death of 16-year-old Selena Not Afraid has been ruled accidental. 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. 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. Ivan said authentic Native representation in film is vital. Others have speculated that the murders may have been a hit. : Emails From Death Row chronicles the complex case that had multiple people involved in the burglary plan, with everyone eventually facing justice. 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. In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. Family members criticized how law enforcement handled the investigation of her death. about this case, please contact us, or call 1-508 . 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. Two of the women were never found. From a young age, I was taught to never go anywhere alone, Benally said. Five people jumped out, Det. Murders at Moselle. In fact, all eight that were involved in the robbery/murder were tried and convicted, so why am I looking further into this case? Both filmmakers were united in their approach to immersive storytelling and narrative film. or call 1-508-505-INFO. They. He initially said the van belonged to his son, Patrick, and hadnt been running for a while. We grow up thinking that survival is culture, and pretty soon we are doing things that we think are cultural practices, when really they are just survival techniques.. We have all the questions in the world, and we dont have the answers.. Nine of their children were present when masked intruders entered the house and killed 66-year-old Byrd and 43-year-old Melanie. That is something we are trying to be aware of.. Luella Brien, a journalist based in Hardin who grew up on the Crow Reservation, is the central narrator in the production. The suspects were caught on the family's surveillance system. {{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. Murder in Big Horn is directed by Razelle Benally, Oglala Lakota/Din, and Matthew Galkin and produced by the MacDonald siblings and Benally. Myiahfe Low, 6, holds a candle in 2020 while a round dance song is played at a candlelight vigil outside the Helena Indian Alliance. However, it only contained some medicines, documents, and some jewelry. We are filmmakers, and we can only do so much.. 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 was shot thrice in the head. By now, most Americans are familiar with the horrific murder of a Pensacola, Florida, couple by the name of Byrd and Melanie Billings. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. top of page. Here is the synopsis: Mansion Murder Cam In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. 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. This is the story of the victims, their families, the investigation,and nearly three decades of unanswered questions. None of them were harmed in the incident. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Benally led many of the conversations with Native families. He owned a pressure-cleaning business, and police believed he and Coldiron had done work at the home. The arrest would lead to several people put behind bars including Lenny. That DNA doesnt match anyone arrested. Florida investigators tracked Wiggins down to Orange Beach, Alabama. The footage showed two vehicles pulling up at the house in the evening, with five suspects entering from the front and the back doors. 51m. Jerry Douglas is a motivational speaker, fitness guru, and writer. The safe was found on the property of Pamela Long-Wiggins, who was Leonard Jrs landlord. An investigation revealed that a safe was missing from the house. She gives context and a voice to the generational traumas experienced in Native communities. For one, the getaway van that had linked Patrick with the murder case had multiple problems, including a busted second gear and reverse gear. We knew right from the beginning we did not want this to be newsy or information-driven, Galkin said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Byrd and Melanie Billings lived in Beulah, Florida, in a sprawling mansion with several children they had adopted. Dylan Eason and Isaiah Churchwell were convicted of murdering Cynthia William "Patrick" Alexander remains in prison for murder. Native Americans comprise 6.7% of the states population, yet they account for, on average, 26% of Montanas missing persons population. This story is printed with the permission of the Montana Free Press. The two directors also reached out to Ivy and Ivan MacDonald, a brother-sister team of filmmakers and enrolled members of the Blackfeet Tribe, who joined as producers of the series. And yet, in 2009, the Billings lived like the wealthywith an elaborately equipped nine-bedroom house worth $700,000but no one could figure out how a modest car dealership would generate enough income to cover all their expenses, which included so much help for the children. Investigation Discoverys Citizen P.I. You have permission to edit this article. The remaining suspects were charged with armed home invasion, robbery and murder. Nobody would know me or trust me in this area, and I knew that going in with eyes wide open, and I wouldnt expect them to trust me.. : Emails From Death Row chronicles the complex case that had multiple people involved in the burglary plan, with everyone eventually facing justice. On the day of the murders, Leonard and Patrick Gonzalez, along with Florence, Sumner, and Thornton, pulled up to the Billings house in a red minivan and broke in. As deputies searched the house, the couples nine adopted special needs children were found cowering in terror and hiding in closets. The next, they were innocent victims of a methodical murder plot. Home. The ongoing Murdaugh family saga exposes murders, a suspicious death and a complex labyrinth of corruption. Something doesnt, No , the murder happened in Ohio . Documentary & Special Interest. 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 . 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. I knew that going in, and I knew that because Matthew and I are not private investigators. The authorities had a lot to work with right away because the place was rigged with many security cameras. Patrick collected overdue bills for her. 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. They were scared to death, investigators said. 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. Byrd and Melanie Billings lived in Beulah, Florida, in a sprawling mansion with several children they had adopted. Florence and Thornton ultimately agreed to testify against their co-conspirators, and Leonard Gonzalez was soon identified as the ringleader and the main gunman. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. He said that Cab Tice, whod had business dealings with Bud, had double-crossed his father. A. s they asked her some questions inside the house, they observed a shoe box for black combat boots. Two years later, he is at the center of another horrifying event. In Pensacola Florida, two loving parents are brutally gunned down in their own home. Murder in Big Horn, Ivan said, stands out from other MMIW series in its depth and breadth of coverage. It was very important to us to not go down the road to overload people with information and statistics.. Survivors reflect on the shocking boat crash that killed vibrant teenager Mallory Beach - and the demons that haunted troubled driver Paul Murdaugh. All three girls were 18 or younger when they went missing and were later found dead in Big Horn County, which includes portions of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow reservations. You have permission to edit this article. Yet the platform appealed to Benally as a way to bring the stories to a larger audience. She and her husband had brought their yacht there for repairs, but police suspected she may have been trying to flee to Mexico. The National Indigenous Womens Resource Center, based in Lame Deer, partnered with filmmakers to offer advocacy and resources. Its an incredibly sad thing to share. Authorities moved right away to find the six people connected to the murderer, including five people who entered the home and one who drove the getaway car. The individuals behind the crime took the wrong one, according to investigators. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. 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