OH Pike County: 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested#40

[Betty P]

I notified Betty, it might be too late to edit. Maybe that’s why you’ve noticed it before.
She worked incredibly hard on the Timeline, it’s the best ever.
Mine would be full of typos.

I've fixed in my Word Doc. If you don't find any more errors, I'll repost here. I'll also post it in the Media & Timelines thread.

 

[Dudly]

Not that I can tell. Sign a prenup that he gets all the KuhnKun pigs?

If the rumor about JW and GWIV being in the will to get the farm, that may have been a reason for a prenup.

 

[Julia966]

We're not sure that's true. It's what LE accused James Manley of doing, but IIRC, he said it didn't happen. Until LE clears it up, we can assume it was something Jake Wagner did to try to "set up" James Manley.

If so, Jake Wagner did a very good job of convincing LE that James Manley murdered the Rhodens. Tied up the investigation for a very long time. In the end, LE chose to actually look at the evidence and finally realized the Wagners did it. Oy. Duped by the Wagners, they were.

Or is it possible that LE was simply looking at all leads and possible suspects, but JM was the one that hit the media early on? I'm thinking LE investigated a lot of people and possibly put GPS on a several vehicles before settling on the Wagners.

I'm sure I'm being dense, but how would a text from Jake, or vice versa, set up James for the murders?

 

[Dudly]

Agree. LE was probably lying to James Manley about that. It would be nice if LE would come clean and admit it. DeWine did say they're convinced no one else was involved in the murders besides the W's, though.

Since LE is legally allowed to lie about evidence, I've always wondered if that text was real.They may have been trying to get a reaction from LM. They knew he could be vocal. It could also have been a set up by the Ws. I get spam type text messages with a phone number that is bogus.

 

[Dudly]

HMB while I pull off this tablecloth : holdmybeer

Yep! LOL

 

[Trudie]

If the rumor about JW and GWIV being in the will to get the farm, that may have been a reason for a prenup.

Which farm Dudley? FWF?
IMO, that would be a rumor, a bad rumor.
Lol lol
I’d bet my life FWF will never be owned by anyone, not even RW & her bros.
Again, moo

 

[Dudly]

Which farm Dudley? FWF?
IMO, that would be a rumor, a bad rumor.
Lol lol
I’d bet my life FWF will never be owned by anyone, not even RW & her bros.
Again, moo

It came from someone who supposedly was told that by JW or GWIV. They may have been feeding him a line of BS, too..
It was the FW Farm...

 

[Betty P]

Or is it possible that LE was simply looking at all leads and possible suspects, but JM was the one that hit the media early on? I'm thinking LE investigated a lot of people and possibly put GPS on a several vehicles before settling on the Wagners.

I'm sure I'm being dense, but how would a text from Jake, or vice versa, set up James for the murders?

Hopefully, we'll find out during the trials. JMO, Jake planted things like the JW text, then later gave the tip to LE to make. Notice in the timeline that the whole GPS planting incident happened just after LE interviewed Jake Wagner.

On second thought, I may edit the item to say that LM told the news media that LE told James Manley that Jake Wagner texted him at 2 am the night of the murders. That's what is known in the news media.

 

[Dudly]

Hopefully, we'll find out during the trials. JMO, Jake planted things like the JW text, then later gave the tip to LE to make. Notice in the timeline that the whole GPS planting incident happened just after LE interviewed Jake Wagner.

On second thought, I may edit the item to say that LM told the news media that LE told James Manley that Jake Wagner texted him at 2 am the night of the murders. That's what is known in the news media.

I could have it wrong but I thought that text was supposedly from JM to JW. My brain malfunctions now and then...lol

 

[Sleuthinsleuther]

What time is GW4 Pretrial today?

 

[Betty P]

I could have it wrong but I thought that text was supposedly from JM to JW. My brain malfunctions now and then...lol

I've read it both ways, but I think it was from JW to JM. I think JW sent it to JM to frame him. JM didn't receive it until 2 am or whatever because of poor cell phone service.

The Dayton Daily News didn't specify, probably for the same reason

Leonard Manley said that if someone put a tracker on his truck, “so help me God, I’ll break it in front of them.”

He told reporters the family is a target of suspicion, and he asserts investigators told him it is because of an apparent text message between his son and Jake Wagner the night of the murders.

I really wish LE would put this to rest and tell what happened, but I think they're embarrassed to do so. For now the gag order applies.

Jake Wagner played PCSO and DeWine for fools on this and they fell for it. JMO If I were James Manley, I would sue PCSO and BCI but that's just me.

 

[Betty P]

What time is GW4 Pretrial today?

1 pm

Pike Co. massacre suspect George Wagner IV due in court today

 

[altojack]

What time is GW4 Pretrial today?

1pm I believe, 6pm for me here.

 

[Dudly]

I've read it both ways, but I think it was from JW to JM. I think JW sent it to JM to frame him. JM didn't receive it until 2 am or whatever because of poor cell phone service.

The Dayton Daily News didn't specify, probably for the same reason



I really wish LE would put this to rest and tell what happened, but I think they're embarrassed to do so. For now the gag order applies.

Jake Wagner played PCSO and DeWine for fools on this and they fell for it. JMO If I were James Manley, I would sue PCSO and BCI but that's just me.

I wonder if what they did to the Manleys could allow them to claim defamation. They were really hard on them early on. Getting them up at 3:00am, according to LM, for questioning, etc..

 

[Betty P]

I wonder if what they did to the Manleys could allow them to claim defamation. They were really hard on them early on. Getting them up at 3:00am, according to LM, for questioning, etc..

Yes, assume they'll have to wait until after the trials or something. Not sure how that would work with the gag order. It was really awful the way they were treated. The Manleys have been under one gag order or another since summer of 2017.

 

[Jayejayehilltop]

If the rumor about JW and GWIV being in the will to get the farm, that may have been a reason for a prenup.

This is something GWIV told the guys fertilizing the field at FW, so it is considered rumor but my husband was one of the guys fertilizing the field, he told them, one day this will ALL be mine.

 

[Jayejayehilltop]

What time is GW4 Pretrial today?

1:00 pm est

 

[Jayejayehilltop]

1:00 pm est

 

[Betty P]

Revised timeline

Corrected some mistakes, clarified other info

Updated Timeline - Rhoden Family Murders - updating 1/9/2019



November 2001

George Wagner III indicted on 3 felony counts for receiving stolen property

Pike County: Father accused in Rhoden massacre faced prior felonies


2009

George Wagner III and Angela Wagner charged with felony tampering with evidence. Charges dismissed by Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk, who doesn’t recall the reason why.

Pike County: Father accused in Rhoden massacre faced prior felonies


2012 - AG DeWine issued press release announcing LE had discovered “a major marijuana grow site”in Pike County with suspected ties to a Mexican drug cartel. During the discovery, 1200 plants were destroyed by investigators and two abandoned campsites were located, which they believe had belonged to Mexican nationals.

From <Media & Timeline NO DISCUSSION - Pike Co, OH 8 Family Members Murdered>


2013



November 2013

Birth of daughter Sophia to Jake Wagner and Hanna Rhoden. They lived together much of the time until 2015, at Hanna’s home or the Wagner’s

Pike County investigation: 8 deaths and multiple arrests were tied to one key factor — child custody


2014


Jake Wagner began hacking, etc. victims’ phones, computers and social media accounts according to indictment



2015


March 2015

Jake Wagner and Hanna Rhoden end their relationship

Exhaustive investigation leads to break in Pike County murder case


May 2015

Frankie and Chris Rhoden, Jr get in a fight with another driver at a local demolition derby.

Violent Rhoden Brothers Met a Violent End in Ohio Massacre


August 2015

Hanna Rhoden becomes pregnant with her second child, Kylie

2016


January 2016

Wagner 4 begin plotting to murder the Rhoden family, per indictments


February 2016

Box of marijuana discovered at Piketon Post Office, investigation leads to discovery of "shatter" operation


April 3, 2016

Fredericka Wagner and Rita Newcomb forged custody documents related to Sophia, daughter of Jake Wagner and Hanna Rhoden

Billy Wagner to answer to charges for Rhoden, Gilley murders in Pike County

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...ecutions/PikeCountyAdditionalIndictments.aspx


10 days prior to murders: A Facebook threat is made by a teen saying he will "Go up to Union Hill and take them all out"


Sunday, April 17, 2016

Hanna Rhoden gives birth to Kylie Rhoden

Get Access


Tuesday, April 19, 2016 - Woman sentenced in road rage incident court case involving Chris Jr.

From <OH - Pike County: 8 people from one family dead as police hunt for killer(s) #5>


Thursday, April 21, 2016


8am: Dana arrives at work - Hillcrest Nursing Home

11pm: Dana leaves work - Hillcrest Nursing Home - 14 miles away per CNN

Approx 11:20 pm - Dana arrives home


Friday, 4/22/2016

1 am: April Manley, sister in law of Dana Rhoden, allegedly exchanges text messages with Dana. This information has never been confirmed by LE

[video=youtube;bf4ObgRJ_Xo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf4ObgRJ_Xo[/video]


2 am: James Manley later told by LE that he received a text from Jake Wagner, ex-boyfriend of Hanna Rhoden. LE has never confirmed this.

Pike County Murders: Father says it’s like ‘tearing the scabs off us’


Between 1 am and 7 am - the following were murdered


Bodies found at 3122 UHR: Dana, Hanna Rhoden, Chris Rhoden Jr.

Bodies found at 4077 UHR: Chris Sr. and Gary (3 GSW to head)

Bodies found at 4199 URH: Frankie and Hannah Hazel Gilley

Body found near 799 LFR: Kenneth Rhoden (1 GSW to head)

From <OH - Pike County: 8 people from one family dead as police hunt for killer(s) #5>


7:15 am: Bobby Jo Manley, sister of Dina Rhoden, arrives at Chris Sr.'s property to feed his animals. She says she was with two friends, identities have varied, not confirmed.


7:15 to 7:40?: She uses a key to unlock the front door and sees the bodies of Gary & Chris Rhoden Sr. Exact time not known

Pike County: 'I was not leaving those babies in there'


7:49 am: Bobby Jo calls 911 Ibid.

Audio of call

7:53 am: PCSO Dep. Music and Dep. Chandler are dispatched to 4077 Union Hill Road in response to the 7:49 am 911 call from BJM. Ibid.


Approx 7:55 am: Billy Jo Manley runs next door to trailer of Frankie Rhoden & Hannah Gilley. Door is locked, she hears toddler inside, asks him to open the door. She then discovers the bodies of Frankie & Hannah. She takes the children outside to her car.

Ibid.


7:15 - 7:53 am: Sometime after discovering the bodies, Billy Jo Manley calls her brother James Manley. He and his son go to the home of Dana Rhoden and discover she is dead. According to his wife, James doesn't go further into Dana's home, though he can see her legs and hear a baby crying.

Ibid


8:07 am: Deputy Chandler arrived "at a neighboring residence where he was flagged down by a subject. Deputy Chandler advised that he needed multiple ambulances due to multiple down at multiple residences."


8:12 am: Deputy Music, Deputy Ball, and Major Evans all arrived "on scene" where they were approached by [Redacted] (later revealed it was James Manley) who stated: "there are two more dead people here." [Redacted] pointed to the residence at 4077 Union Hill.

From <http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...ly-dead-as-police-hunt-for-killer(s)-5/page57>


8:07 am - 8:17 am: Time of death declared for victims.


8:21 am: PCSO request for assistance sent to BCI

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/22/us/ohi...g-pike-county/

From <http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...ly-dead-as-police-hunt-for-killer(s)-5/page62>

12:13 pm: at least 4 BCI Crime Scene Unit trucks are seen at the intersection of Hwy 32 and Union Hill Road headed towards the crime scenes. (Source: tweet including a photo made by Gannett Ohio reporter @saranealeigh)

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/22/us/ohi...g-pike-county/

From <http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...ly-dead-as-police-hunt-for-killer(s)-5/page62>


1:26 pm Friday: Donald Stone calls 911 to report discovery of Kenneth Rhoden’s body

https://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/listen-911-calls-from-pike-county-mass-killing

Audio

of call

https://soundcloud.com/marais-jacon-duffy/911-call-april-22-in-pike-county-126-pm


1:36 pm -- Ohio AG Mike DeWine issues a press release: 7 people murdered in "execution-style killings"

http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/22/us/ohi...g-pike-county/


1:49 pm - Time of death listed for Kenneth Rhoden

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/s...-family-death-certificates-released/85051602/


Saturday, 4/23/2016


Abt 3 - 4am - LE arrives at Bobby Jo Manley's residence to question her; 5 others also questioned

https://www.mydaytondailynews.com/n...tearing-the-scabs-off/DRBSBqKvEMPKFkRjaf4njK/


Kenny Rhoden (cousin) calls 911 in Greenup Co, KY stating he is being chased by a green Chrysler in South Shore, KY.

https://www.whio.com/news/crime--la...mily-member-tells-911/3Fm6pql2aHJxjcJAzeaxvI/


Businessman Jeff Ruby offers $25,000 reward

https://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/jeff-ruby-offers-25k-reward-for-pike-county-killer



Sunday, April 24, 2016


Autopsies performed by Hamilton County Medical Examiner in Cincinnati, OH

https://mgtvwcmh.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/pike-county-final-autopsies-redacted.pdf

http://nbc4i.com/2016/09/23/attorney-general-releases-autopsies-for-rhoden-family-members/


Thursday, April 28, 2016

Funeral for Gary Rhoden, South Shore, KY

https://www.dispatch.com/article/20160428/NEWS/304289800


Jake Wagner files for custody of Sophia, age 2, his daughter with Hanna Rhoden

https://www.wlwt.com/article/court-...ty-investigation-days-after-slayings/25141678


Friday, April 29, 2016

Businessman Jeff Ruby withdraws his reward of $25,000. News reports say he was advised not to discuss the withdrawal

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...ers-25k-arrest-pike-co-mass-shooter/83432754/


Saturday, April 30, 2016 - Funeral for Hannah Gilley in Ottway, OH

https://www.mydaytondailynews.com/n...ar-her-childhood-home/5n2hRlwvFmNks0R2gKtoRM/


Tuesday, May 3, 2016 - Funeral for Rhoden family - Chris Sr, Dana, Frankie, Hanna, Chris Jr. and Kenneth

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news...always-scar-this-town/yRPTKlTHsLqHb2kAg3M2lN/


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Trailers of family members Chris Rhoden Sr, Frankie Rhoden & Kenneth Rhoden were sealed and moved to storage at Hasdell Chemical Co. in Waverly, OH. Dana Rhoden’s trailer was moved later.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...nty-mobile-homes-moved-crime-scenes/84288652/


Friday, May 25, 2016

PCSO/BCI conducts a video interview of Jake Wagner

https://local12.com/news/local/jake...rt-some-evidence-turned-over-to-his-attorneys

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/attachments/upload_2019-1-8_20-5-19-jpeg.163299/


Friday, May 27, 2016

Death certificates released to news media

http://www.chillicothegazette.com/s...-family-death-certificates-released/85051602/


Times of death :

8:07 am Chris Rhoden, Sr, Gary Rhoden

8:11 am Frankie Rhoden, Hannah Gilley

8:17 am Dana Rhoden, Hanna Rhoden, Chris Rhoden, Jr.

1:49 pm Kenneth Rhoden


Thursday, July 21, 2016

Pike County Sheriff announces a $10,000 reward, 10 weeks late, after it was approved

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/07/21/official-10k-reward-offered-rhoden-case/87391848/


Tuesday, July, 26, 2016

Coroner, attorney general refuse to release final autopsies in Pike County killings

https://www.dispatch.com/content/st..._final_autopsies_in_Pike_County_killings.html


August 2016

Jacob Wagner, father of Hanna Rhoden's older daughter, lists his family farm for sale. Location is 260 Peterson Rd, Peebles, OH

Sometime after murders and before May 2017 raid on Wagner properties, it is determined through testing that JW is not the father of Hanna Rhoden's second child.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...-away-scene-rhoden-family-massacre/101600436/


Monday, August 8, 2016

Columbus Dispatch files lawsuit against Pike County Coroner’s office saying it is improperly withholding final autopsy results.

https://www.dispatch.com/content/st..._final_autopsies_in_Pike_County_killings.html


Friday, September 9, 2016

PCSO/BCI conducts an audio interview with George Wagner III

https://local12.com/news/local/jake...rt-some-evidence-turned-over-to-his-attorneys


Friday, September 23, 2016

Ohio AG releases heavily redacted final autopsy reports

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...ses-redacted-rhoden-autopsy-reports/90912132/

https://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/09/23/Pike-County-autopsy-reports.html



Wednesday, October 5, 2016

PCSO/BCI conducts an audio interview with Angela Wagner

Ibid


2017


Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Ohio Supreme Court agrees to hear lawsuit case of Ohio newspapers seeking to view unredacted final autopsy reports

https://www.foxnews.com/us/ohio-court-will-hear-debate-on-autopsies-of-8-family-members



Tuesday, March 10, 2017

Jake Wagner's Peterson Rd house sells for %165,000


Thursday, April 13, 2017

PCSO/BCI conduct an audio interview with Jake Wagner

https://local12.com/news/local/jake-wagner-appears


Friday, April 21, 2017

Rhoden family members plead with public for tips to solve murders

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20170...members-plead-for-tips-to-solve-massacre-of-8


Saturday, April 22, 2017

Pike County LE place a GPS tracking device on truck owned by James Manley, brother of Dana Manley Rhoden. LE claims it was placed there because the truck was related to an aggravated murder case


http://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...ng-pike-county-massacre-case-court/101773632/


Friday, April 28, 2017


11:35 am - James Manley finds and removes tracking device and destroys it


http://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...ng-pike-county-massacre-case-court/101773632/


Wednesday, May 3, 2017


PCSO/BCI conducts an audio interview with Jake and Angela Wagner

https://local12.com/news/local/jake...rt-some-evidence-turned-over-to-his-attorneys


Approx. May 5, 2017

Jacob Wagner asks ___ Brown if he can store some trailers on his property. He tells him his farm is sold and he and his brother have found good paying jobs “up north” and are moving there. He needs to move out of farm for new owners. JW drops off 3 trailers at the Brown property “a week before the search.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...assacre-more-search-details-emerge/101713414/


Monday, May 8, 2017

PCSO/BCI conducts audio interview with George Wagner III

https://local12.com/news/local/jake...rt-some-evidence-turned-over-to-his-attorneys


Friday, May 5 - May 12, 2017

Sometime after dropping off 3 trailers loaded with furniture and personal possessions, Jacob Wagner and family leave the area. Later posts on FB show photos of them in a location resembling areas in Alaska or Canada.


Friday, May 12, 2017

Abt 11 am - PCSO, BCI, Adams County SO, Ohio Dept. of Corrections STAR and other Ohio LE agencies conduct a search at properties related to Jacob Wagner & family.



260 Peterson Rd, Peebles, OH - farm formerly owned by Wagner's parents, where JW resided with his mother, father, brother, daughter Sophia Rhoden Wagner and daughter of his brother George.



Unlimited Motors, St Hwy 41, Peebles, OH - Auto repair business and farm of ___ Brown, friend of J Wagner.

Ibid


Saturday, May 13, 2017


LE team PCSO, BCI) raids Flying W Farms. Franklin County Sheriff's office assists. Franklin County claims their SWAT team accompanied the raid, saying they had an arrest warrant. FCSO later retracts the statement. A neighbor of Flying W Farms who witnessed the vehicle caravan entering and leaving the property is interviewed, claiming there was a SWAT vehicle and an ambulance present.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...elative-charged-evidence-tampering/101747576/

http://www.cincinnati.com/videos/news/2017/05/16/rhoden-investigation-intensifies/101759968/

From <https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...co-oh-8-family-members-murdered.306329/page-8>


PCSO/BCI conducts an audio interview with Angela Wagner

https://local12.com/news/local/jake...rt-some-evidence-turned-over-to-his-attorneys


Tuesday, May 16, 2017

PCSO/BCI conduct audio interview with Angela Wagner

https://local12.com/news/local/jake...rt-some-evidence-turned-over-to-his-attorneys



June 19, 2017

AG DeWine and Sheriff Reader make public appeal for information about Wagner family

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20170...n-about-family-regarding-pike-county-slayings



Thursday, December 14, 2017

Ohio Supreme Court rules against newspapers in lawsuit to release unredacted final autopsy reports

https://www.timesgazette.com/news/22296/ohio-high-court-shields-autopsy-reports-in-rhoden-case



2018


April 19, 2018

Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk says Wagner family remains the focus of the Rhoden/Gilley murder investigation

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...investigation-stands-after-2-years/531686002/


Spring 2018

Wagner family members return from AK to Flying W Farms and later South Webster, OH. George Wagner IV returns later, arriving before the arrests

Per AG DeWine press conference at time of arrests


Approx. July 2018


Grand Jury is seated in Pike County to hear evidence and testimony in the Rhoden/Gilley murder case

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/custody-fight-key-pike-county-case/aIKzRHo4MOwwNc4x9IvkyO/


Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Rita Jo Newcomb testifies before the Pike County Grand Jury, later charged with perjury and obstructing justice

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...ecutions/PikeCountyAdditionalIndictments.aspx


Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Fredericka Wagner testifies before the Pike County Grand Jury, later charged with perjury and obstructing justice

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...ecutions/PikeCountyAdditionalIndictments.aspx




Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Unredacted preliminary autopsy reports of Rhoden/Gilley victims released for viewing by news media. Complete final autopsy reports remain heavily redacted

https://www.wcpo.com/news/state/sta...reporters-to-inspect-slain-family-s-autopsies


Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Investigators gathered the final piece of evidence – a silencer

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...alks-investigation-and-whats-next/2012179002/


Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Lab experts completed examination of the silencer

Ibid.


Monday, November 12, 2018

Grand Jury hands down murder charges against 5 Wagner family members and Rita Jo Newcomb

Ibid.


Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Indictments filed, bringing charges against:

George Wagner III, Angela Jo Wagner, George Wagner IV, Edward "Jake" Wagner, Fredericka Wagner and Rita Jo Newcomb. Arrests of all were made the same day

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...cial-Prosecutions/PikeCountyMurderIndictments

https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov...ecutions/PikeCountyAdditionalIndictments.aspx


Indictments allege George Wagner III, George Wagner IV, Angela Wagner, Jake Wagner and Fredericka Wagner plotted revenge against Ohio AG Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader

https://www.chillicothegazette.com/...-bond-made-rhoden-family-massacre/2010483002/


Wednesday, November 14, 2018

AG DeWine says custody battle was at the center of the Rhoden/Gilley murders

https://www.wlwt.com/article/6-arre...-killing-of-8-in-pike-county-ag-says/25055118


George Wagner III waives extradition from KY, where he was arrested

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-ne...-billy-wagner-waives-extradition-1/1596958670


November 15 - December 5, 2018

All suspects indicted in connection with Rhoden/Gilley murders arraigned on charges and plead not guilty

https://www.tdn-net.com/top-stories/53228/last-rhoden-murder-suspect-arraigned


Link to Pike County Clerk of Courts/Case Dockets

For information about charges, hearing schedules, docket, etc.

https://www.pikecountycpcourt.org/e...3slFUypQdLsM-OrQTOL3MTawuVIJicCV6NlLEK2J3s3aQ

 

[Gracie55]

Did JW have even one asset to protect?

He had half a house in his name. More importantly his grandfather W was likely starting to ail several years before his death. They'd have maybe been making sure their assets were safe from divorces in the future.
I'm just speculating, not that knowledgeable about what the Uber-rich might do to protect assets.
But I do know---if I were HR it might grate my grits.