The Crime Chronicles

The Rhoden Family Massacre: A Community Shaken to its Core

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by

Julie Sanocki
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The Rhoden family massacre sent shockwaves through the quiet hills of Pike County, Ohio, leaving a community grappling with the horror of a crime that shattered lives and left an enduring scar on the landscape. This small town, just 70 miles outside of Cincinnati, would never be the same.

In the early morning hours of April 22, 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were brutally murdered in their homes, spread over four crime scenes. The victims included Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; his ex-wife Dana Rhoden, 37; their three children, Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20, Hanna Rhoden, 19, and Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16; Christopher Sr.’s brother Kenneth Rhoden, 44; their cousin Gary Rhoden, 38; and Frankie’s fiancée, Hannah Gilley, 20.

The survivors on the scene made it even more heartbreaking. A four-day-old girl, daughter of Hanna Rhoden and Charlie Gilley, was unharmed, but covered in blood, where she lay in the bed. Investigators believe that she was nursing when her mother was shot. A three-year-old boy, son of Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Gilley, was asleep on the couch during the shootings, but was awake and alone when an aunt came and discovered the massacre. Their other son, then 6 months old, was asleep between them in the bed. 

The Gruesome Discovery and Investigation

The victims were found shot to death, many while they slept in their beds. The sheer brutality of the crime, the number of victims, and the apparent targeting of the family sent a wave of fear through the community and drew national attention.

Investigators faced a complex and challenging case. The remote locations of the crime scenes, the lack of witnesses, and the absence of a clear motive complicated the investigation. The community was on edge, and rumors and speculation ran rampant. The investigation spanned years, with authorities meticulously combing through evidence, conducting countless interviews, and following up on leads. The case became one of the largest homicide investigations in Ohio history.

In November 2018, a breakthrough came when authorities arrested four members of the Wagner family – George “Billy” Wagner III, Angela Wagner, George Wagner IV, and Edward “Jake” Wagner – and charged them with the murders.

The arrests sent shockwaves through the community, as the Wagners were a well-known local family with ties to the Rhodens.

The Motive: A Custody Dispute Turned Deadly

The motive for the killings, as revealed during the subsequent trials, stemmed from a custody dispute over a child shared between Jake Wagner and Hanna Rhoden. The Wagners, allegedly driven by a desire to control the child’s custody, meticulously planned and executed the murders.

The trials of the Wagner family members were marked by emotional testimony, chilling revelations about the planning and execution of the murders, and a community still reeling from the tragedy. Jake Wagner and Angela Wagner ultimately pleaded guilty to their roles in the murders, while George Wagner IV was found guilty by a jury. George “Billy” Wagner III’s trial is ongoing.

The Timeline: 

  • Billy, George and Jake Wagner left their home in Adams County sometime after 10 p.m. Angela remained at home with her grandchildren, one the daughter who was the subject of the custody dispute.
  • At the first crime scene, Jake Wagner wounded Chris Rhoden with a rifle as he stood outside his Pike County trailer home. Billy then shot and killed Chris and his cousin, Gary Rhoden.
  • At the second stop, at the trailer home next door, Jake Wagner shot and killed Frankie Rhoden and Hannah Gilley.
  • At the third stop, Jake Wagner shot and killed Dana Manley Rhoden, former wife of Chris Rhoden, along with Hanna Rhoden and her brother Chris Rhoden Jr. Frankie, Hanna and Chris were the children of Chris Rhoden Sr. and Dana Manley Rhoden.
  • At the final stop, Billy Wagner shot and killed Kenneth Rhoden. Kenneth was brother to Chris and cousin to Gary.

The Aftermath: A Community Forever Changed

The Rhoden family massacre serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk within seemingly ordinary communities. The senseless violence that shattered the lives of eight innocent people continues to haunt the community of Pike County.

The case also highlights the devastating consequences of unresolved disputes and the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions. The Rhoden family paid the ultimate price for a custody battle that spiraled out of control, leaving a legacy of grief and unanswered questions.

Remembering the Victims and Seeking Justice

The Rhoden family massacre will forever be etched in the memory of Pike County and the nation. It serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing loved ones. The victims will be remembered for their lives, their contributions to the community, and the profound loss their deaths represent.

While justice has been slow and the healing process long, the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy. The Rhoden family massacre serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, compassion, and the pursuit of peace in a world where darkness can sometimes prevail.

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