Byrd And Melanie Billings, Fla. Couple Who Adopted 12 Children, Found Slain

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Investigators asked the public to be on the lookout Friday for a red van they believe carried three men involved in the deaths of a Florida Panhandle couple who were shot in their rural home while eight of their children slept.

Surveillance cameras showed the van at the home of Byrd and Melanie Billings in Beulah, a rural area west of Pensacola near the Alabama border, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. The children were unharmed.

The sheriff's office released an enhanced but still grainy photograph of a red, 15-passenger van dating to the late 70s or early 80s.

Morgan said investigators did not know who killed the wealthy couple known for adopting children with developmental disabilities, many born to drug-addicted mothers.

Investigators are also awaiting autopsy results on the couple to learn more about the killings, he added.

Morgan said eight of the children, ages 8 to 14, were in the home when the couple was killed Thursday evening. A woman who lives in an outlying building and helps care for the children called emergency dispatchers from the home.

Deputies had to wake some of the children after they arrived, authorities said.

Investigators interviewed the children, who are now staying with other family members, Morgan said.

The Billings had 16 children, 12 of them adopted. They married 18 years ago and each had two children from previous marriages. The couple then began adopting children with developmental disabilities and other problems.

The couple owned several local businesses, including a finance company and a used car dealership.

In a 2005 story in the Pensacola News Journal, the couple said they wanted to share their wealth with children in need, but didn't imagine their family would grow so large.

"It just happened," Melanie Byrd told the newspaper. "I just wanted to give them a better life."

Comments

[skantea]

So scary.
No matter how much good you try to do in the world...

[VictorianNovel]

I hope the children are adopted, but I think it is highly likely that if adopted, they will be split up, unless there is a couple that is willing to take all of them.

What a senseless tragedy. So depressing.

[NPA]

Just when you think we as humans couldn't sink low enough...t­here is no other species on the planet that can match the havoc we are capable of.

[sisterdebmac]

That's just so incredibly sad and also a complete outrage.

[RaWen]

Jesus... What the heck is wrong with people? Ugh...

[OneTop]

Such a sad end to some very kind and thoughtful people.

My condolences to the family and friends.

[rizvisa1]

As much as I feel sorry for the couple, I feel even more sorry for the kids. RIP Byrd Billings and Melanie Billings

[Nina28]

Praying for those kids to be together in a loving home and for the capture and prosecution of those inhuman murderers who did this.

[XCITIZEN]

Yup, personality disorder. That has to be it. In fact, you have even named yourself after a piece of clothing..­..

[XCITIZEN]

FYI, my comment was one of those famous snafu's that went off into the ether and then appeared at the top of the thread - blah.

[Henk]

You mean you were insulting someone on anther thread and it ended up here?

[PatA]

I can't say that I am surprised anymore by the inappropriate rude and hateful comments that people post in a thread like this one. I've actually come to expect the spewing of venom and ignorance.

I've given up on expecting that all comments will be thoughtful and caring.

That said, I hope that the children will be taken care of and if possible not too much separation will occur. We need more people like the parents.
RIP...

[BikeFreak]

I just don't understand what is happening to basic human kindness in this world.

[Henk]

Basic human kindness is as its always been. Unfortunately, man's inhumanity to man is as its always been as well. The best that one can do is make sure that we are kind to those around us. If everyone does that everything will be fine. I think that's exactly what this couple did.

[hereinlou]

This is so sad. What an amazing couple, and a terribly tragic story... I hope they find the murderers soon.

[KMAz]

These people were willing and able to take on responsibilities on helping the least among us even when those were the most needy. I cannot see any reason why any person of worth could justify, let alone commit, such a heinous crime. We cannot do anything for them now, but let us all hope that there are others who can continue on with their work and that the "family" they created can be kept intact and non destroyed by this tragedy.

[BunnyFooFoo]

Why would they just hit and run? Sounds like the killer(s) might have known them. I hope and pray that this is solved quickly.

[transe]

i agree, they probably knew they had money at home. probably someone who worked for them. too sad.

[Reptoid]

http://www.bright-white-light.com/diary/wp-content/village-of-the-damned-kids.jpg

[Diana]

Pretty stupid link, bud. get a grip