Thedailymiaminews:- In a poignant and heartbreaking moment for those affected, two more members of the Wagner family were sentenced on Friday for their involvement in one of Ohio’s most horrific crimes: the 2016 massacre of eight members of the Rhoden family. The tragedy, which took place in Pike County, has haunted the community for nearly a decade, and the sentencing marked another difficult chapter in a case that shocked the state and the nation.
Edward “Jake” Wagner, one of the key figures in the killings, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 32 years. This decision came as a surprise, as Wagner had previously agreed to serve eight consecutive life sentences without the chance of parole. However, Judge Jonathan Hein, who oversaw the sentencing, noted that Wagner’s cooperation with authorities and his involvement in solving the murders played a role in the more lenient sentence. Wagner pleaded guilty to the aggravated murder of five victims, with the full details of the crimes still sending shockwaves through the community.
Jake’s mother, Angela Wagner, who helped in orchestrating the killings, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, though she will receive credit for six years already served. Angela had also pleaded guilty to her part in planning the murders. Her actions, alongside her son’s, left a trail of devastation that has forever altered the lives of those who loved the victims. Her sentencing came with strong words from the judge, who condemned the actions of the Wagner family, labeling them as a chilling example of depravity.
The courtroom was filled with emotions as Andrea Shoemaker, the mother of one of the victims, condemned Jake Wagner. She described him as the “spawn of Satan” for his role in the killings. As Jake Wagner made a statement to the court, asking for forgiveness and claiming his capture was part of a divine plan, many victims’ family members chose to walk out of the courtroom in protest. The pain was palpable as the echoes of the tragedy lingered in the air.
Jake’s brother, George Wagner IV, who was also involved in the murders, had been sentenced earlier to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The distinction in sentences was made based on Jake’s cooperation with authorities, while George chose to stand trial, maintaining his innocence. The judge emphasized the contrast in their choices, noting that Jake had at least taken responsibility for his actions, a decision that had spared the community the trauma of a prolonged trial.
The Wagners’ motives for such an unfathomable crime were rooted in a bitter custody dispute over Jake’s niece, whose mother was among the victims. Prosecutors have argued that the Wagner family’s involvement in the murders was calculated, with each member playing a specific role in the execution of the plan. The attack took place across multiple locations, with each victim—ranging in age from teenagers to middle-aged adults—found executed in their homes. The horrifying nature of the crime initially led many to believe that a drug cartel might have been involved, but the true perpetrators were revealed to be the Wagners.
The victims, whose lives were senselessly taken, include Christopher Rhoden Sr., his ex-wife Dana Rhoden, their three children, and several extended family members. The community of Piketon, which had been shaken by this brutal attack, remains forever marked by the events of that April night in 2016.
Now, as the final member of the Wagner family, George “Billy” Wagner III, awaits his trial, the full story behind the massacre may soon be revealed. Hein’s decision to move Billy’s trial out of Pike County highlights the level of local involvement and the emotional burden this case has placed on those who have been closely connected to the victims and the accused.
The Pike County massacre case is one of the most extensive and expensive investigations in Ohio’s history. As the final pieces of this tragic puzzle fall into place, the hope remains that justice will provide some measure of solace to the victims’ families, even though no sentence can ever undo the pain caused by such incomprehensible acts of violence.