Show Notes
A night of violence shakes a small Ohio town to its core when eight family members—the Rhodens—are shot to death in their sleep in 2016. Their ages range from 44 to 16 with five males and three females—including two young moms with their babies nearby. David Raterman, a journalist who grew up 90 miles away, decides to investigate what the local sheriff calls “a heinous crime that’s never been seen before.” And what he discovers is not only shocking but also a true whodunit.
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More from The Pink Moon Murders
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In a shocking twist, on April 22, 2021—the fifth anniversary of the murders—Jake pleads guilty to the charges against him, including unlawful sexual conduct with a minor since Hanna May was only 15 and he was 20 when they conceived their daughter. An Ohio neuropsychologist shares his thoughts for what kind of people could murder eight sleeping family members, describing “antisocial personality,” “narcissistic injury,” and similar terms. And in another shocking twist, the strong, heroic sheriff is indicted on 11 felonies, including theft of evidence and tampering with evidence. He eventually pleads guilty to four. Will jurors in the upcoming trials think the local police are dirty and somehow tainted the case? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
At pretrial hearings, prosecutors ask the lead investigator about evidence they connect to the Wagner Four, including bloody footprints, shell casings, and Captain America masks. And he testifies that Jake was assaulting Hanna May Rhoden, his fiancée and baby mom, which is why she broke up with him. The special agent also testifies that Wagners hacked into Hanna May’s private messages and discovered a disturbing message from Hanna May saying that if the Wagners wanted to get custody of her and Jake’s young daughter, “they will have to kill me first.” Also, for the first time in open court, cracks develop among the Wagner Four as George turns on Jake and their mom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Because two generations of Wagners allegedly committed mass murder and a third—the two great-grandmothers—was charged with obstructing justice and perjury, and the motive was custody of a fourth generation, journalist David Raterman now wants to learn about the great-grandmothers. Angela’s mom, who has worked blue-collar jobs and been a strong family woman, seems typical for the area. But Billy’s mom is the largest landowner in Pike County, and she operates a prestigious horse farm whose animals have won awards all over the US. How did she and her now deceased husband start their land and animal empire? Interviews with family insiders and court records provide surprising and colorful insight.
Billy and Angela Wagner, husband and wife, and their sons, George and Jake, each face eight counts of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications. Investigators hint that the Wagners murdered to get custody of a daughter Jake and 19-year-old Hanna May Rhoden shared. Then journalist David Raterman discovers who these Wagners are—the black sheep of Pike County’s largest landowner—and who they are not, including Billy legally changing his name and possibly not actually being married to Angela. Raterman also gets previously unknown video of Jake, George, and Billy attending the visitation for a Rhoden they allegedly murdered. Billy’s face is covered in bruises in those days right after the murders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices