Wagner Family Members Sentenced in 8 Murders

The Rhoden family massacre in Ohio reveals a chilling tale of familial betrayal, as multiple members of the Wagner family face justice for their roles in the killings.

At a Glance

Three Wagner family members sentenced over the 2016 massacre of eight Rhoden family members
Angela Wagner received 30 years, Jake Wagner received life with possibility of parole after 32 years, and Angela’s mother received five years of probation.
The murders were linked to a custody dispute over Jake Wagner’s daughter with victim Hanna May Rhoden.
George Wagner IV was previously convicted on 22 charges and sentenced to life without parole.
The family patriarch Billy Wagner awaits trial and has been moved out of Pike County.

Wagner Family Sentencing Unveils Shocking Details

Three members of the Wagner family recently learned their fates for their involvement in the gruesome 2016 Pike County massacre. Angela Wagner, her son Jake Wagner, and Angela’s mother Rita Newcomb faced justice for their roles in the meticulously planned murders of eight members of the Rhoden family.

The case, which initially sparked speculation about drug cartel involvement, was revealed to be a chilling tale of familial violence stemming from a custody dispute. Jake Wagner, who fathered a child with victim Hanna May Rhoden, received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 32 years due to his cooperation with prosecutors.

Mother and son given lengthy prison terms for their roles in the killings of 8 Ohio family members >> https://t.co/49Dt2ouvjY pic.twitter.com/2AilYytf6s

— 13 Action News (@13abc) January 4, 2025

A Mother’s Role in Unthinkable Violence

Angela Wagner, Jack’s mother, received a 30-year prison sentence for her part in the massacre. The judge’s decision highlighted the complexities of the case and the challenges in determining appropriate punishment for such heinous crimes.

“How do I resolve the good deal that your mom got? Thirty years is a really long time; that’s a really good deal for the level of the conduct. Especially since she could have stopped the whole thing dead in its tracks before it ever happened. And I don’t let her off the hook because she didn’t go to the scene. I put her equally responsible because the eyes of the law put her equally responsible,” Judge Jonathan Hein said to Jack Wagner.

The judge’s words underscore the gravity of Angela Wagner’s actions and the missed opportunity to prevent the tragedy. Her sentence, while substantial, sparked debate about the complexities of familial culpability in such extreme cases of violence. Meanwhile, Angela’s own mother Rita Newcomb also received a less substantial punishment of probation for five years along with a fine and a suspended jail sentence.

A Son’s Remorse and a Family’s Fury

Jake Wagner’s courtroom address to the Rhoden family revealed a mix of remorse and religious conviction that left many stunned. His words, however, did little to quell the anger of the victims’ families.

“I asked God, I said, ‘Put me and my family back on the straight and narrow path, by any means necessary. I can tell you today I am not sorry that I got caught. I am sorry for what I’ve done, but I’m glad I got caught. I 100% believe that it was Jesus who made me get caught to answer my prayer,” Jake Wagner said.

The victims’ families responded with scorn and outrage, with some walking out during Jake’s statement. Andrea Shoemaker, mother of murder victim Hannah Gilley, delivered a scathing rebuke, calling Jake “evil” and “the spawn of Satan.”

Justice Served, but Wounds Remain

While the sentencing brings a measure of closure to this tragic chapter, the wounds inflicted on the Rhoden family and the Pike County community remain raw. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when family disputes escalate to unthinkable violence.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this horrific crime, the final chapter in this saga awaits. George Wagner IV was previously convicted and sentenced to life without parole, but Billy Wagner, the family patriarch, still faces trial, with proceedings moved out of Pike County due to the case’s notoriety. His trial may yet reveal more shocking details about the planning and execution of this heinous act that shook rural Ohio to its core.