Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWin on Sunday said the execution-style murders of eight members of a family in Ohio were “methodical and well-planned.”
Officials revealed that three marijuana growing operations had been uncovered during the investigation. The victims were found on four rural Ohio properties, shot to death. Most were apparently sleeping when they were killed. Three young children – including a 4-day-old infant – were found unharmed at the crime scenes.
“This was a preplanned execution of eight individuals,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. “It was a sophisticated operation. And those who carried it out were trying to do everything they could do to hinder the investigation and their prosecution. This is not your case where someone got mad at somebody else, shot him, there’s a witness, two witnesses. It’s a very, very different kind of case.”
Authorities are yet to name a suspect in this case and have not yet said that how many people may have been involved. They said none of the victims died from a suicide.
All the victims were members of the Rhoden family: 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr.; his 16-year-old son, Christopher Rhoden Jr.; 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden; 38-year-old Gary Rhoden; 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; 20-year-old Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden; 20-year-old Hannah Gilley; and 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden.
DeWine said a team of 100 investigators had already received more than 100 tips and conducted more than 50 interviews. Five search warrants had been executed and the four crime scenes had been evaluated and secured.
Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said he advised other members of the “targeted” Rhoden family that they may face danger in the near future and advised them to be armed.