What should have been a day of celebration turned into a powerful call for justice.
A Houston family gathered this weekend for a long-awaited reunion—an event meant to bring joy, laughter, and love. Instead, it became a time of remembrance and heartache, as they honored the lives of two beloved relatives, both murdered years ago, with no arrests ever made or any suspects identified.
Six years ago today, Joseph Billie was gunned down on Hondo Street. Nearly three years before that, Edmond Ford was shot and killed in his own apartment after answering a knock at the door. Both victims were first cousins. Their families say the pain hasn’t faded—and neither have their questions.
“We just want to know who did it,” said Christopher Brown, Ford’s nephew and Billie’s cousin. “I really love my uncle, and I just want justice for him.”
Two Killings, Zero Suspects
Edmond Ford was murdered in his apartment on Woodfair Drive. A witness who was inside managed to escape through a bedroom window but was held at gunpoint by two suspects before they fled. To this day, no suspect descriptions have ever been released.
Joseph Billie was shot and killed on June 28, 2019. Six years later, no arrests have been made in his case either.
Crime Stoppers attended the family’s emotional balloon release and is offering a reward for any tips that help solve the murders.
“Crime Stoppers has a $5,000 reward for anyone who knows anything about the murders of Edmond and Joseph,” said Andy Kahn with Crime Stoppers.
“Somebody Knows Something”
Sharon Shepard, aunt to both victims, says the silence is unbearable.
“It’s heartbreaking because we’re still looking for answers,” she said. “We know someone knows something, and no one will speak up. We’re wishing that someone would just come and say something.”
Shepard also voiced frustration with what she sees as a lack of action from the Houston Police Department.
“I think they did not investigate as much as they should,” she said. “We call HPD and nobody’s calling us back. If they questioned some of those same people again, I think they’d get what they need.”
Still, she says she won’t stop fighting:
“I’m gonna fight until I can’t fight no more.”
HPD: Still No New Leads
Houston police confirmed to KPRC 2 that they still have no new information in either murder.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
