Four members of an Ohio family were indicted in November 2018 in the 2016 Rhoden family massacre in the state’s most complex murder investigation. At the center of the calculated, cold-blooded case is, according to prosecutors, the suspect family’s obsession over the custody of a little girl.
They are:
George “Billy” Wagner, III, 51, the father of the Wagner family, who faces 22 counts in the case including eight counts of aggravated murder, burglary and conspiracy. He could face the death penalty. Prosecutors believe he killed three of the eight victims. He remains jailed, awaiting trial set for October.
Angela Carter Wagner, 51, the mother — and many believe the mastermind of the months-long plot to annihilate the Rhoden family to get custody of her second granddaughter. She pleaded guilty to 14 charges in the case, including conspiracy to commit murder, in September 2021. In exchange, prosecutors dropped eight counts of aggravated murder and she must testify against her husband and oldest son. She remains jailed and will face 30 years in prison when sentenced.
George Washington Wagner IV, 31, the oldest son, whose trial is set for Aug. 29 on the charges, which include eight counts of aggravated murder. His lawyers contend he should not face murder charges because he did not fire any weapon. Prosecutors, however, call him culpable in the planning, organization and cover-up and allege he was present during the massacre. He remains jailed.
Edward “Jake” Wagner, 29, the youngest son, whose daughter is at the center of the custody battle prosecutors allege was the motive in the mass killing. He pleaded guilty to all 23 counts of the indictment in a surprise move on the fifth anniversary of the slayings. He told prosecutors he was directly involved in killing five of the victims, provided additional details of the crimes and led investigators to more physical evidence in the case. Prosecutors agreed to dropped the death penalty facing him and all of his family members for his truthful testimony in the other cases.The first time he is expected to testify is this fall.