The tranquility of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Ohio was shattered on April 22, 2016. Eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families were found murdered in their homes, sending shockwaves through the small community of Pike County and igniting the largest criminal investigation in Ohio history.
This horrific crime, often compared to the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, captivated the nation and exposed a chilling tale of family conflict, obsession, and cold-blooded murder.
Aerial view of a rural farm in Pike County, Ohio, where the tragic events of the Rhoden family murders unfolded.
A Gruesome Discovery and a Community in Fear
The nightmare began with a chilling 9-1-1 call on a seemingly ordinary Friday morning. Bobby Jo Manley, a relative of the victims, made a gruesome discovery, finding her brother-in-law, Chris Rhoden Sr., and his cousin, Gary, shot dead in Chris’s trailer.
As police descended upon the rural community of Union Hill Road, the true extent of the massacre unfolded. In a nearby mobile home, they found Chris Sr.’s ex-wife, Dana, and their three children – Hanna May, Chris Jr., and Frankie – all executed in their sleep.
Adding to the horror, Frankie’s fiancée, Hannah Hazel Gilley, was also found dead, lying next to her six-month-old baby, who miraculously survived the carnage.
Hours later, another grim discovery rocked the community: Kenneth Rhoden, Chris Sr.’s brother, was found dead in his camper several miles away. The brutality of the crimes and the sheer number of victims sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents in fear and disbelief.
The Long Road to Justice: Unraveling a Complex Web of Deception
Rumors and speculation swirled in the wake of the massacre. Initial theories pointed towards a possible drug cartel hit, given Chris and Kenneth’s involvement in marijuana cultivation. However, as investigators meticulously pieced together the evidence, a far more sinister motive emerged: a custody battle that spiraled into unimaginable violence.
Years later, the Wagner family – Angela, Jake, George, and Billy – became the prime suspects in the investigation. The Wagners, who had recently sold their farm and were preparing to move to Alaska, had a deep connection to the victims. Jake Wagner had fathered a daughter with one of the victims, Hanna May Rhoden.
George Wagner IV appears for a pretrial hearing in Pike County Common Pleas Court in Waverly, Ohio on Aug. 23, 2021.
A Family Torn Apart: Guilty Pleas and a Shocking Admission
In a shocking turn of events, Jake Wagner confessed to the murders in 2021, admitting that he and his family planned and executed the killings over custody of his daughter. Angela Wagner followed suit, pleading guilty to her role in the plot.
Their admissions sent shockwaves through the community and revealed the chilling truth behind the massacre: a family driven to unspeakable acts over a custody dispute.
Seeking Justice: The Trial of George Wagner IV
George Wagner IV, the remaining Wagner son, maintains his innocence, claiming he did not participate in the shootings. His trial, which has captivated the nation, hinges on whether the prosecution can convince the jury that he was a knowing and willing participant in the family’s murderous plan.
The trial, marked by intense media scrutiny and emotional testimony, has become a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of family conflict and the enduring power of obsession. As the trial unfolds, the world watches and waits for justice to be served for the eight innocent lives lost in the hills of Pike County.