Award-winning stop-motion animator Billy Greene was found shot dead just outside of his apartment in the 4300 block of Adeline St. in Emeryville, California on September 10, 2001. He was 33 years old. Police say there was evidence the killer tried to remove his wallet, but had fled without it or its contents. His body was found just after midnight. No suspects were seen and no arrests have been made. Billy Greene's commercial career included stints at 181 Productions in New York, Clayart Trickfilm Studio in Frankfurt, Germany and most recently at Will Vinton Studio in Portland, Oregon where he worked on THE PJS. He had returned to the Bay Area five weeks before his death to work on PHANTOM INVESTIGATORS, a stop-motion series created by Wholesome Products for Warner Bros. TV. Donations in his honor can be made to Greenpeace, 902 H Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001 or to The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence at 1225 Eye Street, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. Friends of Billy Greene have established a Website at www.blackvan.net. Anyone with information about the shooting should call the Emeryville police at (510) 596-3774.
