Hanna May Rhoden, a 19-year-old woman from Piketon, Ohio, tragically lost her life on April 22, 2016. She was one of eight victims in what became known as the Pike County Massacre. The victims, all members of the Rhoden family, were found shot execution-style in their homes. Hanna May Rhoden was a Certified Nursing Assistant at Edgewood Manor of Lucasville and a mother to two young daughters.
The investigation into the murders revealed that the killings were premeditated and linked to a
custody dispute over Hanna May Rhoden's daughter with Edward "Jake" Wagner. Wagner, along with other members of his family, was implicated in the crime. In November 2018, Jake Wagner, his mother Angela Wagner, and his father George "Billy" Wagner III were arrested and charged with the murders. Jake Wagner later pleaded guilty to the killings, admitting to shooting five of the victims, including Hanna May Rhoden.
The case remains one of the largest investigations in Ohio's history, with ongoing legal proceedings against the remaining Wagner family members. The tragic loss of Hanna May Rhoden and her family members has left a lasting impact on the community and highlighted the devastating consequences of family disputes escalating into violence.
