Parents of Sixteen Slain

Authorities in Florida are seeking three men and a large, red, 1970s or early 1980s model van caught on the murdered couple's home video surveillance system.
Police say Byrd and Melanie Billings died during an invasion of their Florida home, just west of Pensacola. None of their children were hurt, according to the Pensacola News Journal.
According to the paper, Yvonne Hahn, a school bus driver who has known the Billing's chidren for two decades, spoke with three of the children as they were leaving with a relative.
“They seemed alright, but they were upset,” Hahn said. “Matthew said that his mom and daddy got shot and killed, and they didn’t have a mom and daddy now,” Hahn said. “I said, ‘Yeah, they did honey, but they’ll always be your mommy and daddy,” Hahn told them.
“Katie just kept hugging me. She has Down syndrome, and she can’t talk, but she just kept hugging me,” Hahn said.
The Billings owned several businesses and were known for their generosity in adopting children with disabilities and from troubled backgrounds.
Read More at the Pensacola News Journal
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."


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See all 34 CommentsEver heard of America's Most Wanted? Pictures of these scumbags published would add millions of people on the watch to catch them. Concern enough for ya?
Typical home invasion robbers either leave everyone alive or they kill everyone. Why would they leave 8 witnesses alive?
This whole story doesn't make sense at all. I suspect one of their kids either orchestrated it or paid for it to happen. If it wasn't one of the kids, it will end up being someone else who has a connection to them. THIS IS NOT A RANDOM MURDER!
The other weird thing about this whole event is that the family had a lot of security cameras aimed all over the place... Why? I find the high security situation strange unless they were doing something illegal.
This is a most disturbing crime. I pray for these poor children.
Where is God ... all things happen according to His will ... does he have to discuss that with you? If they were God fearing people then they are better off where they are now ... if we only had more like them then we would not have to worry where the unwanted were to end up ...
'Does he have to discuss that with you' That certainly is reactionary and adversarial. If we had more like them? We have lots like them. That doesn't address the post either. Basically you responded and attempted to answer the question by restating it and really said nothing except to say God needs not answer.
Why must they be "God fearing" people to be in a better place? Can't they be in a better place by being God loving and good people who live their lives in a humble and loving way, affecting positive change and influence where ever they go?
They may be better off, but what of the innocent children? Are they too better off? Or is that of no concern to God. Perhaps there is a plan for them that requires them to carry many burdens and abandonments throughout their lives in order to be worthy.
Have you had one too many? What part of 'try, them, convict them and excute them' are you having a hard time grasping? If someone is innocent, let's just hope they aren't convicted.
But for anyone to kill people who are 'all that' in such a cold and callous manner, deserves mercy only if God intercedes. Our laws allow for mercy if it is warranted, and only if.
Now is their any among us that will take in dozens of 'normal' children, let alone someone devoting their LIFE to adopting and loving those who have already been rejected by their own parents? I rest my case.
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