OH - Pike County: 8 people from one family dead as police hunt for killer(s) #21

[Canaille]

In the works for about a year? Do you have a link. It's quite interesting.

To claim something like this, the AG would need a serious clue

Damn... I should have known I'd need to find a link for it. I think it was a video interview. Going to Google... BRB

 

[jk204]

Has anyone ever come across any reason why DR and CRsr divorced? Issues of "sexual orientation" has also crossed my mind about all of this.

There are so many possible reasons as to why these murders where committed.

I dont know why they divorced.
I think they probably had traditional views on "sexual orientation". Just my opinion, I have no hard facts.

 

[glf]

Has anyone ever come across any reason why DR and CRsr divorced? Issues of "sexual orientation" has also crossed my mind about all of this.

There are so many possible reasons as to why these murders where committed.

Irreconcilable differences is what was on the divorce decree from what I remember. I don't see the parent/grandparent possibility. What about the slapping incident with Jr, and ultimately, Dana? That's what comes to mind when I think about what happened around that time frame.

 

[Minasmom]

Irreconcilable differences is what was on the divorce decree from what I remember. I don't see the parent/grandparent possibility. What about the slapping incident with Jr, and ultimately, Dana? That's what comes to mind when I think about what happened around that time frame.

This is where my main theory is currently. I believe it's all connected to the reason that led up to the slapping incident. There would be a lot of emotion, a lot of hatred, there. Whatever DR knew that would possibly result in someone losing custody would be a strong motive for murder. And if DR knew, the rest most likely knew as well.

 

[evelezrn]

It probably could, but after being submerged in water, it would probably be difficult to get good DNA off of the clothing. How would they even know if the clothing found, was the clothing worn by the murderers? There's probably all kinds of stuff in that river. Weapons could most likely be matched via ballistics, using the bullets retrieved from the scene, though (if they could even locate the weapons in the river.). My s/o is a diver. It does not interest me at all though. In most rivers and lakes, that we are near, the visibility is rather poor most times.

BBM
Someone ostracized and/or made to feel less than over the years could have finally "snapped" as they say. Not even see them as family anymore but as a source of pain and humiliation. Someone who had also been made to feel that way could have sat and went over plans with them, until, one night, plans become reality. I don't think it's trivial at all.

By that, do you mean in a "Hell hath no fury..." kinda way???

 

[rotary_dial]

As close to the vest as LE is playing this, do you think they would let the public know if:

there was evidence of other drugs found during searches of the trailers/property

or

they uncovered evidence of an ongoing criminal enterprise unrelated to the pot


Anything along those lines would probably only be made public at trial, if one ever happens. Am I correct in thinking about this hypothetical this way?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[hec60504]

When I lived in a town of 300 people, and was an LEO there, we always had family drama to deal with - always. But that's how it is - the homicides we had though were never a result of that. They usually involved drugs... I also don't think that sexual orientation comes into play here; it would probably make someone angry to find out that their wife was actually a lesbian, but not enough to brutally (and METHODICALLY) assassinate 8 people. I also believe that because the autopsy results are being withheld, there is clearly something in them (most likely about how they were murdered, caliber of the weapons, etc) that is extremely sensitive to the point of implicating specific people, thus the police would be 'showing their cards' (so to speak).

 

[evelezrn]

When I lived in a town of 300 people, and was an LEO there, we always had family drama to deal with - always. But that's how it is - the homicides we had though were never a result of that. They usually involved drugs... I also don't think that sexual orientation comes into play here; it would probably make someone angry to find out that their wife was actually a lesbian, but not enough to brutally (and METHODICALLY) assassinate 8 people. I also believe that because the autopsy results are being withheld, there is clearly something in them (most likely about how they were murdered, caliber of the weapons, etc) that is extremely sensitive to the point of implicating specific people, thus the police would be 'showing their cards' (so to speak).

I think they're withholding details about either the crime scenes and/or some the bodies themselves that go WAY BEYOND the GSW's and ballistics. Thoughts?

 

[rsd1200]

By that, do you mean in a "Hell hath no fury..." kinda way???

Sort of, but unlike the rest of the saying, it wouldn't have to necessarily be a woman scorned.

 

[jk204]

When I lived in a town of 300 people, and was an LEO there, we always had family drama to deal with - always. But that's how it is - the homicides we had though were never a result of that. They usually involved drugs... I also don't think that sexual orientation comes into play here; it would probably make someone angry to find out that their wife was actually a lesbian, but not enough to brutally (and METHODICALLY) assassinate 8 people. I also believe that because the autopsy results are being withheld, there is clearly something in them (most likely about how they were murdered, caliber of the weapons, etc) that is extremely sensitive to the point of implicating specific people, thus the police would be 'showing their cards' (so to speak).

Maybe it's how it was in your community. I will come back with national statistics. Drug is rarely the motive in incidents with a shooting of 8. Mass killings are most often for personal motives, usually perp feels rejected by others.

As for a motive related to personal choice, the scenario you described is not the one I had in mind.

I am more thinking about a scenario of humiliation and rejection. An individual announces he is becoming a priest, or he/she is gay, or will campaign against the second amendment, just to stay broad. He becomes the laughing stock and rejected by part of his family. I think it's a motive. Let's think about who would have helped.

 

[hec60504]

Absolutely - the details are most likely a 'signature' of the suspects and the crime. For example, I was (of course) extremely proficient in the use of my 9mm Beretta 92F service weapon, but I could shoot a fly out of mid-air at 20 yards with my hammerless .38 S&W. The officers I worked with knew that if I had to confront a suspect who was running and shooting at me, I'd grab my .38 because I could easily take him down. Then there's the crime scene - clearly there are 'signatures' involved as well - though we can only speculate on what they are.

I think they're withholding details about either the crime scenes and/or some the bodies themselves that go WAY BEYOND the GSW's and ballistics. Thoughts?

 

[evelezrn]

Regarding motive... In MY opinion,

IF the perps were NOT family, the motive for murder was probably greed.

IF the perps WERE family (either related by blood or by marriage) the motive was more likely jealousy, revenge or maybe had to do with someone being abused sexually.

 

[jk204]

When I lived in a town of 300 people, and was an LEO there, we always had family drama to deal with - always. But that's how it is - the homicides we had though were never a result of that. They usually involved drugs... I also don't think that sexual orientation comes into play here; it would probably make someone angry to find out that their wife was actually a lesbian, but not enough to brutally (and METHODICALLY) assassinate 8 people. I also believe that because the autopsy results are being withheld, there is clearly something in them (most likely about how they were murdered, caliber of the weapons, etc) that is extremely sensitive to the point of implicating specific people, thus the police would be 'showing their cards' (so to speak).

As for the method and planning, mass shootings perpetrated for senseless motives are most often well planned and well executed. It's actually how one succeeds in hitting several victims.

Mass shootings are relatively frequent. How many times we were left thinking the perp was a pro only to discover in the end it was done by a young guy who prepared in secret?

Hec, now ismy turn to share personal experiences.

1) I described earlier in this forum the mass shooting at my school: An angry 20 year olds with a rejected application to the faculty, pissed at the women who broke his heart and took his place in the classroom. He killed 14 of them. It was well planned and well executed.

2) more recently, the city where I live in became the target of terrorists attacks. We would think they do this because they believe, but they don't. Most of them are losers who feel rejected by the system. They are 20 years old. These attacks are well planned and well executed.

And I will give a counter example. 3 young losers, all girls, 19, 23, 39 were arrested this week after a failed bombing attemp. It was not well planned, was not well executed, and it didn't work.

My conclusion:
Of course it was well planned and well executed. Does it means the perps were old pros with rational motive? No, absolutely not.

 

[hec60504]

This was 4 different locations that had to be broken in to. Killing 8 people because of rejection? Passion usually subsides once the suspect kills the person they are angry at. To shoot 8 people in the head while they're sleeping -including women who had their children next to them or nearby, is something else entirely. There are always going to be exceptions to this, but they're actually quite rare considering there are nearly 15,000 murders per year on average. So, if this was revenge for some sexual abuse, why would the women get killed (unless you think they were abusing them)? I think the motive may well be revenge, and involve family - maybe greed (hence the money was stolen and this could be something the PD is holding back).

 

[glf]

CR

This is where my main theory is currently. I believe it's all connected to the reason that led up to the slapping incident. There would be a lot of emotion, a lot of hatred, there. Whatever DR knew that would possibly result in someone losing custody would be a strong motive for murder. And if DR knew, the rest most likely knew as well.

I don't think I have read any ties that link the incident with Jr and the custody problem, but I may need to go back and do some reading. I thought that was all brought on because of the separation and impending divorce. Seems like a coincidence to me. Although possibly husband pointed out in court she was in trouble for slapping a minor, maybe she was capable of doing the same to her own kids. If so, maybe she indirectly blamed Dana and Jr because they filed chgs. Just a guess. Does anybody know where that was brought up? Possibly just in thread one?

 

[Betty P]

This was 4 different locations that had to be broken in to. Killing 8 people because of rejection? Passion usually subsides once the suspect kills the person they are angry at. To shoot 8 people in the head while they're sleeping -including women who had their children next to them or nearby, is something else entirely. There are always going to be exceptions to this, but they're actually quite rare considering there are nearly 15,000 murders per year on average. So, if this was revenge for some sexual abuse, why would the women get killed (unless you think they were abusing them)? I think the motive may well be revenge, and involve family - maybe greed (hence the money was stolen and this could be something the PD is holding back).

Agree, someone breaking into 4 separate locations in the middle of the night and escaping undetected is quite rare. Keep in mind, the evidence we've read about so far indicates there was more than 1 killer. People who killing in passion often end up killing themselves at the end or leave enough evidence behind to make themselves easily identifiable. Their emotions are running high and they usually don't take measures, like removing video cameras, etc. to prevent detection. Anyone would be hard pressed to come up with a prior example of someone killing family members in 4 separate locations over anger at sexual abuse or a family feud.

It would also be exceedingly rare for a close friend or family member to commit this massacre and return to their daily routine in the community without displaying erratic behavior or an emotional breakdown.

Here's a link to some recent articles about mass shootings, with stats.

https://everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis/

Here's a good article by the Columbus Dispatch from last May about how the Rhoden massacre doesn't fit the usual pattern for mass killings

http://www.dispatch.com/content/sto...utside-usual-patterns-in-mass-killiings.html#

Of the mass killings in the US in recent years, only 8.3% haven't resulted in an arrest. That's because 44% of shooters in these situations kill themselves. The Dispatch article mentions the Rhoden killings were unusual because they weren't linked to drug activity. Of course, we've learned since then that drug activity was involved.

 

[Betty P]

Also wanted to share this story illustrating the terrible heroin/opioid epidemic in small towns and cities. This happened in E. Liverpool, OH

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ho-overdosed-with-a-small-child-in-their-car/

 

[rsd1200]

As close to the vest as LE is playing this, do you think they would let the public know if:

there was evidence of other drugs found during searches of the trailers/property

or

they uncovered evidence of an ongoing criminal enterprise unrelated to the pot


Anything along those lines would probably only be made public at trial, if one ever happens. Am I correct in thinking about this hypothetical this way?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I don't know that LE would have given it up, but, I think maybe something like that would have leaked out by now. That's hard to keep under wraps. One of my theories, earlier on, was that either they were dealing in something harder, say Heroin, or, they got someone some Heroin, (most folks in the business know one another, especially in a small community, at least here they do) and someone's child died as a result, and that resulted in the parents wiping them from the face of the earth. It would also explain not taking the babies, as they were innocent. I don't know how many times I've read that people would kill someone if their child died from an overdose. Maybe someone's child died, and they found out it was a result of something one of the Rhodens got for them, and they snapped.

 

[rsd1200]

This was 4 different locations that had to be broken in to. Killing 8 people because of rejection? Passion usually subsides once the suspect kills the person they are angry at. To shoot 8 people in the head while they're sleeping -including women who had their children next to them or nearby, is something else entirely. There are always going to be exceptions to this, but they're actually quite rare considering there are nearly 15,000 murders per year on average. So, if this was revenge for some sexual abuse, why would the women get killed (unless you think they were abusing them)? I think the motive may well be revenge, and involve family - maybe greed (hence the money was stolen and this could be something the PD is holding back).

BBM
I think that could be likely too. It could be revenge over abuse. Maybe they were on the receiving end of verbal abuse by the family over the years and had had enough, maybe the family knew the person had been sexually abused but took the side of the abuser and remained quiet (It seems the family split over the elder Rhoden's issue years back. Lightening could strike twice.). Maybe revenge over not being cut into the family business, or being cut out of the family business. Then again, it could be something that we'd never even think to seek revenge over, something we'd see as trivial, but to them it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

 

[glf]

Regarding motive... In MY opinion,

IF the perps were NOT family, the motive for murder was probably greed.

IF the perps WERE family (either related by blood or by marriage) the motive was more likely jealousy, revenge or maybe had to do with someone being abused sexually.

Interesting thoughts on sexual abuse! I know that is something that can be kept extremely quiet, but the only person who was ever known to have that problem was G'Pa Rhoden, and he died 8yrs ago. Unless somebody in Chris's or Kenny's immediate family said something AFTER G'Pa's death