Family: Slain Couple's Safe Held Jewelry

Family Papers, Children's Meds Also Present, Spokeswoman Says

(CBS/AP)  A Florida sheriff has confirmed that the safe taken from the home of a slain Panhandle couple held only adoption papers and other documents, heirloom jewelry and some of the family's prescription medication.

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan would not say Friday if the killers of Byrd and Melanie Billings expected to find other items in the microwave-sized safe. Morgan said investigators have not yet determined whether the killers even managed to open the safe, which was found buried in a Pensacola-area backyard with bricks piled on top.

The sheriff's news conference came the afternoon after the Billings' funeral. The couple was known for adopting 13 special needs children.

They were shot to death in their nine-bedroom home west of Pensacola last week.

Meanwhile, the children of Bud and Melanie Billings joined hundreds of friends and relatives at a Pensacola church Friday to say goodbye to a couple who devoted their lives to children in need.

The couple, known for adopting 13 special needs children, was shot to death and a safe was taken from their nine-bedroom home west of Pensacola last week. Six men and a teenager are charged with murder, and a woman, Pamela Long Wiggins, is charged with being an accessory after the fact.

"Their lives centered around children, family and each other. They loved deeply and unconditionally," said family member Ed Brock.

As CBS News correspondent Don Teague reports, eight days after the parents of 17 were murdered in a raid of their home authorities in Pensacola say their investigation is almost complete.

They've recovered the suspected murder weapon along with a safe stolen from the house and arrested 8 people. Despite the complexity and planning of the killing, investigators say the motive appears simple.

State Attorney Bill Eddins said the case was mostly wrapped up.

"In our opinion, this was a home invasion robbery where the people stole a safe," he said. "It was as simple as that as to the motive."

Authorities say more arrests could follow. They've brought the Drug Enforcement Agency on the case, but insist the DEA is investigating the suspects, not the victims.

[legacyabq]

I saw the other article, and the ring leader, at court, didnt say hes innocent, he chose that moment to say "the state's case is circumstantial". What a sociopathic moron!! Im sorry, but that is not something an innocent person caught up in circumstances would say.. This guy thinks he is sooooo cool with his martial arts and his ninja suit and his guns..

My god what a piece of shiite he is..

I hope he rots in hell.

[bigreddog222]

I have to agree with you there, legacyabq. He has and always had according to his classmates throughout school a napoleon complex. His ex in Sarasota was repeatedly threatened by him and very afraid of him and I don't blame her one dammmmm bit. He deserves everything coming to him and more.

[bigreddog222]

I have to agree with you there, legacyabq. He has and always had according to his classmates throughout school a napoleon complex. His ex in Sarasota was repeatedly threatened by him and very afraid of him and I don't blame her one dammmmm bit. He deserves everything coming to him and more. Dammm oxygen thief.

[bigreddog222]

Sorry didn't mean to studder. :)

[legacyabq]

I still cant understand why they killed them. They were defenseless. What is wrong with these scum? Even stupid lowlife criminals know that murder is a capital crime. They're just stupid, to cause themselves such unnecessary risk. But of course they're stupid I guess and dont think like regular people. But even an evil selfish criminal knows murder charges are far, far worse than robbery charges. I just cant see why they had to kill them.

RIP Billings'. You surely did not deserve this.



Lock em up, throw away the key!

[tmittelstaed]

Why would you pay for the stuff your going to use to rob someone? I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the costumes and such used in the robbery were all shoplifted.

[jaqmaq]

If these people were so professional in the planning and execution of this robbery/homicide, has anyone wondered if this group might have committed other crimes where they DID remember to disable the cameras? Also, would first time criminals have been bold enough to attempt such a crime, knowing the media as well as law enforcement would give this case top priority? What is the deal with the Ninja costumes? Doesn't that seem like the behavior of those who think they are unstoppable--perhaps because they had escaped punishment in other cases?

[John_Merritt]

I have been saying this from the beginning: If these guys would have pulled off this heist, I believe they were preparing to pull off other larger ones.

They prepared for this event, and I believe it was a practice run for something much larger. I am glad they have been caught, and since Florida law allows for the death penalty, I hope they are tried, convicted and executed.

They are the scourge of the worst kind, and we need to start making a statement, 'an eye for an eye' type of statement. It is beyond its time to take back our society from the hoodlums.

[legacyabq]

They are the scourge of the worst kind, and we need to start making a statement, 'an eye for an eye' type of statement. It is beyond its time to take back our society from the hoodlums.
---------------------
I understand the emotion, but bear in mind that mass media coverage paints an unbalanced picture. I think that it is a simplification to say hoodlums "have" our society. Things like this are not as common as they appear to be. The vast majority of people are good. Just being optimistic. Throughout history people have seemed to think that things are getting worse, and the end is neras, etc.
On the contrary, people are happier, healthier, live longer, have more liesure time, and greater freedom today than people in the past, on the whole. Just a century ago, children dies routinely of preventable illness, half the country couldnt even read, rape was virtually legal, women couldnt vote or own property. A tooth infection used to be a life threatening event.
In light of that, I think people might want to keep things in perspective before they run for their hanging ropes, and make claims that our society is in shambles.

Respectfully,

Me

[curiously1]

Nothing less than capitol punishment for every single one of these punks is acceptable. Every single one regardless of the level of involvment.