Florida couple’s slaying was a contract hit, source says

A source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN the state attorney’s office believes there were two motives in the home invasion murder of Florida couple Byrd and Melanie Billings — robbery and a contracted hit. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office had said it believed robbery was the prime motive, but that it would explore all avenues

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Valuable evidence found in slaying of Florida couple

Authorities have located valuable evidence, including a stolen safe and several guns, in the slaying of a Florida couple who had adopted 13 children, a state attorney said Thursday. Bill Eddins said the safe had been taken from the couple’s home. He said authorities found several guns, including one they believe was used to kill Byrd and Melanie Billings.

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Eighth person arrested in Florida couple’s shooting deaths

Authorities are charging an eighth person in connection with the slaying of a couple who adopted special-needs children, an official said Wednesday night. Pamela Long Wiggins will be charged with accessory after the fact of felony murder, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. Morgan did not provide further identification on Wiggins and did not say how she is related to the shooting deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings last week.

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Police: Suspect sought after 7 arrests in Florida couple’s slaying

Seven people are in custody in connection with the shooting deaths of a Gulf Coast couple known for adopting special-needs children, and one more person is sought, the sheriff of Escambia County, Florida, said Tuesday. All seven people will face murder charges in last week’s deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings, authorities said.

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