Exclusive: Slain Fla. Couple's Daughter Speaks

July 21, 2009 — -- A daughter of the slain Florida couple defended her parent's reputation today in light of police reports showing her father had a business relationship with one of his alleged killers.

"There's not much anyone can say that would break down any perception I have of them," Ashley Markham, 26, told "Good Morning America." "I know who they were."

Markham's father, Byrd Billings, provided financial backing for a karate studio for Leonard Gonzalez, the reported ring leader of the group that allegedly murdered Billings and his wife in their Florida home July 9, according to a police report released Monday. The report prompted speculation that the couple may have been killed for more than their their safe, which was stolen during the killings and contained children's medication, jewelry and family documents, as police had suggested.

"I need to know," Markham said. "There are parts I want to know, and there are parts I never need to know. But why? Why somebody would do this to these children and to know that these children were there and put these children through this for the rest of their lives. I need to know that."

Nine of the Billings' 17 children were in the home when their parents were slain; the same home Markham is planning to move into with her husband to take care of 13 of the children.

"I have to keep going for the children," Markham, who was not adopted, said.

It was always part of her mother's plan, Markham said, that she would be the one to step up to "keep the children together."

"She had a very distinct plan and the main focus of the plan was to keep the children together," Markham said.

Melanie Billings was a 43-year-old country music lover who fed the homeless and was devoted to her MySpace page. Byrd Billings was a 66-year-old entrepreneur who dabbled in used cars and boats before finally hitting it big.

Together, they adopted 13 children with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, and lived in a sprawling home west of Pensacola.

"I believe their motivation came from giving these kids a better life," Markham said. "They saw these kids as perfect. Whereas other parents seeking to adopt children may not have sought these children out."

Seven suspects, including Gonzalez, have been charged with the couple's murder and another, wealthy Florida real estate agent Pamela Wiggins, has been charged with accessory after the fact for allegedly helping the group hide evidence. Police are still searching for one more person they believe was involved in the killings.

Neighbors Pitch in to Help

The Billings children returned to the family home Saturday for the first time since the slayings.

To prepare the home for Markham, her husband and her adopted siblings, neighbors have offered to mow the lawn and to help secure the grounds to make it safe for the children.

Markham said it's imperative that the home is secure before the children move in. Markham plans to add a security gate and the house already has new doors, locks and carpeting.

But she has yet to settle on an official move-in date for the children, who are eager to return, she said.

Neighbors also have pitched in to offer everyday items such as diapers, food and some local agencies have expressed interest in offering extra hands to take care of the kids.

Markham said her mother never wanted the children to be sent into state care or group homes and that, with the community's support, she believes the children can succeed.

The Billings' children have a variety of disabilities. Markham said five have Down syndrome; three are autistic and one child is fed strictly through a feeding tube. Several of the children also had fetal alcohol syndrome.