A chilling 9-1-1 call on April 22nd, 2016, shattered the tranquility of Pike County, Ohio, leading to the largest criminal investigation in the state’s history. Eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families were found murdered in their homes, sending shockwaves through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The victims, most shot in the head as they slept, included Chris Rhoden Senior, his ex-wife Dana, their children Hannah May, Chris Junior, and Frankie, Frankie’s fiancee Hannah Hazel Gilley, and Chris Senior’s cousin, Gary. Kenneth Rhoden, another family member, was found dead in his camper miles away.
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Initial rumors pointed towards a drug cartel connection due to marijuana grow operations belonging to some victims. However, the investigation took a dramatic turn a year later when focus shifted to the Wagner family: Angela, Jake, George, and Billy. The Wagners had recently sold their farm and were planning a move to Alaska. Searches of their former property and storage units, along with Billy’s parents’ horse farm, Flying W, uncovered potential evidence.
The motive, investigators revealed, was as shocking as the murders themselves: custody of the young daughter Jake Wagner shared with victim Hannah May Rhoden. The Wagners, portrayed as a criminal enterprise, had meticulously planned the murders, even hacking into the Rhodens’ social media accounts to surveil them. This revelation added a chilling layer to an already horrific crime, highlighting the lengths to which obsession and control can drive individuals.
Over two years later, on the fifth anniversary of the massacre, Jake Wagner confessed to his role in the killings. He admitted that the murders were planned and executed by his family to gain custody of his daughter. His guilty plea, a pivotal moment in the case, offered a glimmer of hope for justice to the devastated families.
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Months later, Angela Wagner followed suit, pleading guilty and agreeing to testify against her husband, Billy, and son, George. George, maintaining his innocence, claimed he didn’t shoot anyone, his defense hinging on the argument that he feared his father might kill Jake if he didn’t participate.
This complex case delves into the heart of a family torn by violence and betrayal. The upcoming trial of George Wagner, with its numerous witnesses, mountains of evidence, and the promise of chilling testimonies from Angela and Jake Wagner, is set to captivate the nation.
The Pike County Massacre is a stark reminder of the darkness that can fester within seemingly ordinary families and the devastating consequences of unchecked obsession and violence. As the trial unfolds, the world will watch as justice is sought for the eight lives brutally cut short on that fateful April night.
