Billings murder: Safe and Guns seized

PENSACOLA, Fla. - At Thursday morning's news conference, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan addressed what he called rumors and speculation in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.  The couple was shot to death in their home during a home invasion Thursday, July 9, 2009.

Sheriff Morgan asked the community to have "humanity and compassion for the Billings family." A lot of wild rumors float around whenever a crime like this happens, said Morgan.  He said everyone needs to remember the Billings family is grieving.

Morgan said, the DEA was asked to provide investigative assistance focusing on the suspects, at the request of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.  The Billings family is not the focus of any federal investigation to Morgan's knowledge.

State Attorney Bill Eddins says investigators located "valuable evidence" including the safe which was stolen from the Billings home during last Thursday's home invasion murder of Melanie and Byrd Billings. Eddins said several guns were also recovered from various locations, one of which investigators believe is the murder weapon. The evidence is being processed at this time.

Pamela Long Wiggins, a local realtor, is the latest suspect arrested. She is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, which is a felony. If convicted she could face up to 30 years in prison.

Eddins declined to give specifics regarding Wiggins involvement or knowledge of the crime. He would only say the charge is appropriate for the information they have right now and that other questions would be answered during the trial.

In addition to Wiggins, seven other people have been arrested for the crime. All seven are charged with two open counts of murder.

Both Eddins and Morgan say they believe Wiggins is the last major arrest in the murders, but they are continuing to look at a number of people of interest. 

One question still remains. Sheriff Morgan believes someone - who investigators are still looking for - was supposed to have disabled the camera surveillance system at the Billings home before the crime.  That surveillance system was vital in helping investigators track down individuals believed to be involved in this horrific crime.

Morgan said, "We will continue to follow the evidence where it leads us."

Family members were not present at the news conference as they were preparing for Thursday night's visitation.

The visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Liberty Church on South Blue Angel Parkway. Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 11 a.m. at Liberty Church.  Burial will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.