The Piketon Massacre - Part 1
Added 2025-10-17 12:25:01 +0000 UTCIn April 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were found shot and killed in cold blood in the small community of Piketon, Ohio. The killings were targeted and methodically carried out at four different crime scenes, leaving behind very little evidence. It would become one of the most complicated and lengthy investigations in Ohio history. The question on everyone’s mind: Who would mercilessly kill an entire family in cold blood?
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Sources:
The Pike County Murders: A Family Massacre, Peacock TV
Knight, Cameron. “911 calls help reveal horror of family tragedy.” The Marion Star, Apr 24, 2016, p. A1.
Sweigart, Josh and Bennish, Steve. “So many ‘whys’: Ohio authorities begin work to find out who is responsible for largest mass killing in U.S. this year.” Dayton Daily News, May 1, 2016, p. 1.
BieryGolick, Keith and Fugleberg, Jeremy. “Mourners’ wish: ‘Fly high Rhodens’.” Cincinnati Enquirer, May 3, 2016, p. A5.
BieryGolick, Keith and Fugleberg, Jeremy. “‘Beyond devastation’: Six victims of April 22 shootings remembered at funeral.” Chillicothe Gazette, May 4, 2016, p. A1.
Zachariah, Holly. “Rhoden family is tired of waiting in the dark after Pike County murders.” The Journal News, Hamilton, Ohio, Jun 27, 2016, p. 14.
Zachariah, Holly and Smola, Jennifer. “Pain still fresh year after killings.” Akron Beacon Journal, Apr 18, 2017, p. B3.
Ison, Jona and Londberg, Max. “Jake Wagner pleads not guilty: Ordered held without bond on 23 charges related to 2016 Rhoden family killings.” Cincinnati Enquirer, Nov 28, 2018, p. A4.
Londberg, Max and Brookbank, Sarah. “Pike Co. sheriff pleads not guilty in 16 criminal charges.” Chillicothe Gazette, Jul 3, 2019, p. A1.
Zachariah, Holly. “Grandmother in Rhoden coverup takes plea deal: Felony charges against Newcomb were dropped.” Cincinnati Enquirer, Dec 4, 2019, p. A8.
Mitchell, Madeline. “Rhoden massacre at 4 years and counting: Coronavirus may further delay fall murder trials.” Cincinnati Enquirer, Apr 22, 2020, p. A4.
Reutter, Justin. “Suspended Pike County sheriff pleads guilty to theft in office.” The Newark Advocate, Sep 25, 2020, p. A3.
Zachariah, Holly. “Will the Rhoden family finally see a resolution?” Chillicothe Gazette, Jan 2, 2022, p. A3.
Newberry, Patricia Gallagher. “‘Snipers on a hill’: In Pike County, Jake Wagner admits to 5 of 8 Rhoden family killings.” Cincinnati Enquirer, Oct 26, 2022, p. A1.
Newberry, Patricia Gallagher. “Wagners distrusted the justice system, George Wagner IV’s mother testifies.” Cincinnati Enquirer, Nov 3, 2022, p. A4.
Gambrell, Mandy. “Pike County trial defendant George Wagner IV testifies.” Dayton Daily News, Nov 17, 2022, p. B4.
Bischoff, Laura. “DeWine: Truth is found in Pike County massacre.” Cincinnati Enquirer, Dec 2, 2022, p. A4.
https://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-pike-county-rhoden-massacre-breakdown/41521453
Newberry, Patricia Gallagher. “Wagner IV gets life without parole for Pike County murders.” The Times Recorder, Zanesville, Ohio, Dec 21, 2022, p. A1.
Newberry, Patricia Gallagher. “Survivors of family massacre seek the Wagners’ riches: Pike wrongful death suit likely to target land.” Akron Beacon Journal, Aug 9, 2023, p. A7.
