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

[egokills]

https://twitter.com/hollyzachariah - Columbus Dispatch writer in this area
https://twitter.com/jayfug & https://twitter.com/chrisgraves - Cincinnati Enquirer reporters on the story

 

[Meemaw12]

anybody know which twitter accounts are good to follow this case

@chrisgraves

@karinjohnson

@jayfug

@CGEditor

#Pikecounty

These are who I follow

National media has mostly left

 

[rsd1200]

Similar to the Pike County one, they were gone when LE arrived. They are most likely told to scatter if there is a bust, although from what I know or guess, most of the ones onsite are simple illegals being used as labor in exchange to pay their way North. Very low on the org chart and probably have no idea of any of the players above their overseer.

So had anyone ever actually seen them? I just find it odd that they find tents and empty grow sites and say it's the cartel but we never see them, nor are given names, nor see arrests. Local growers will also set up camp w/their crops, and being local, they know when the heat is on too.

 

[KKearns]

Regarding the locked door of Chris' mobile home, I wonder if Bobby checked the back door on the other side. I imagine she thought it was all strange because it was so quiet and noone was outside, checked the front door and it was locked.

I wondered if it was really locked. If she went into Frankie's first then I could see her being so upset and having a hard time opening it and assuming it was locked.

 

[KKearns]

We've had many arrests in my county for Mexican fights, they love them. Could be some of the workers they met from the campgrounds started going to cockfights and drugs at Chris' place, and got to know all the family members killed.

fighting has been a thing out in the country also, forever.

 

[pisces51]

I don't think teen pregnancies are from being dumb, it's from being in love and things happen, nor is it to get assistance. My son is one of my best friends.

Studies have shown that there can be a bit more to it socially and culturally whether in the country or inner cities. The gist is that young women (teen girls) may be more likely to have babies as it fulfills a role and gives their life a purpose when other options such as continuing education and employment aren't readily available. I'm glossing over it, but it's a cycle that is frequently repeated - some refer to it as the cycle of poverty. Their is huge pride in being a good momma.

 

[pcap]

I agree that this case will come down to the money, but I do think it was about theft of cash (and probably also product) on hand. The thing is, if this was business, it was a terrible business decision. Anyone who has been in business with the Rhodens, or even has illegal business in Pike County at all, is going to be negatively affected by all this LE attention on their actions. With all these anonymous tips flowing in, LE is likely to know every drug dealer in the county by the time it's all said and done. It's hard to imagine how someone could be rational enough to plan out an execution of eight people for turf protection and at the same time think that somehow killing eight people would blow over and wouldn't affect their turf. If it was clear who sent the message, then the killer would know that word would eventually get back to LE that they stood to benefit.

It feels to me like the extent of the killing - going out of their way to kill everyone in the family - was done in order to silence anyone who might have known that a deal was going on. It seems likely that the initial deal was being done between the killers and CR Sr./GR - the killers sprung their trap on those two and tried to get info from them, probably where money or drugs were located. I suspect CR Sr. & GR fought back and refused to give up the location. That is when the killing started. First, Frankie & HG. They still wouldn't talk - then DR, CR Jr. and HR - maybe they had already killed CR Sr./GR by that point, maybe they got the info from DR by threatening her kids. Then they realized they'd gone too far, so they killed everyone in DR's house too, in order to cover their tracks. Then they drive to KR's house - that is where the stash was - they don't need to question him b/c they already know what they are looking for. He gets shot while still sleeping, they grab the stuff and get the cameras that were trained on the hiding spot, which DR or whoever spilled the secret also told them. MOO

The fact that the reward was rescinded and that LE has been so quiet indicates to me this was not a cartel action - if LE was worried their killers were already out of state and on their way out of the country, they would have appealed more to the public for help. Given that they are keeping their cards so close to their vest, I think they have a lead on who the perpetrator is and are just waiting for DNA to tighten the noose. The killers eliminated eight people, but in a small town like this, more than those eight were likely to have known who might be doing business with Sr. & GR.

This is the only theory I've heard that completely makes sense to me. Thanks for sharing it!

 

[KKearns]

Yeah, it's truly heartbreaking, no matter what the family was involved in. I imagine that for the remaining loved ones, the enormity of the loss is just beginning to set in.

Exactly.. If nothing else people should.be able to feel for the ones left behind that lost loved ones.

 

[pisces51]

The only thing I know about silencers is that machinists get bored at work and come up with everything from knives to sawed off shotguns and silencers. I was amazed.

Truth. I have two brother who are toolmakers - one of them makes wedding bands when he's bored.

 

[KKearns]

Even if they'd gotten a silencer, it doesn't completely muffle sound, and, to get one leaves a paper trail. It's not something you can just walk up and buy nor would want to ask around for around town, like hey, can I borrow your silencer, imo. The two closest homes were 1/10 of a mile apart, and while that doesn't seem like much, you'd probably not have to worry too much about it in the dead of night. Being within the home would muffle the sound to some degree.

One of the big differences though is older looking trailers, so likely a lot less insulation (which would help with sound) than a house.

 

[rsd1200]

Might not necessarily be open casket. The family is generally given the option if a viewing in private even with closed casket. Maybe that is what they meant.

That's what I thought as well.

 

[KKearns]

Folks can make a homemade silencer. There are plenty of how to videos around and most likely anyone who really wanted to could make one without much difficulty or expense.

The issue is the guns are still loud with a suppressor.

 

[Rixey]

The issue is the guns are still loud with a suppressor.

But gunshots are not necessarily an unusual sound in rural areas -- even in the middle of the night.

 

[Everyday Grace]

anybody know which twitter accounts are good to follow this case

@NewsWatchman -- Pike County newspaper

@ChilliGaz @CGEditor -- Chillicothe Gannett Ohio newspaper

@Enquirer -- Cincinnati Gannett Ohio newspaper

I follow several Gannett Ohio reporters. They have a lot of resources working on this story.

Some of the reporters I consider "must follows" are:

@chrisgraves @hollyzacharia @saranealeigh @MCampbellWHIO @karinjohnson @jayfug

I'm sure I've left other reporters off that list. Doesn't mean they'really not worth following, just an incomplete list of who all I've been following.

And of course, @OhioAG

 

[KKearns]

But gunshots are not necessarily an unusual sound in rural areas -- even in the middle of the night.

But you can usually tell if they are next door or out in the woods.

 

[Elley Mae]

This is the only theory I've heard that completely makes sense to me. Thanks for sharing it!

Yeah, with that, If I were in the illegal business and wanted to get rid of competition in the neighborhood I would probably find a way of getting them arrested before I'd murder 8 people. jmo

 

[rsd1200]

One of the big differences though is older looking trailers so likely a lot less insulation (which would help with sound) than a house.

Again, we're talking at least 1/10th of a mile between the two trailers. I'd not think a thing about hearing gunshots in the night around here. I'd not get up and arm myself, nor would I call the police, IF it even woke me (and I do sleep w/windows open on nice nights). I'd just go back to sleep, b/c I'd figure someone was running a critter off or playing with their new night sights. We shot for at least an hour and one of the guns we shot sounds like a bomb going off. Not one neighbor ventured out, called to see if anything was wrong, called 911 or anything. It could have been a slaughter going on here and no one would have been the wiser. People don't think about hearing gun shots in rural areas.

 

[KKearns]

Yeah, with that If I were in the illegal business and wanted to get rid of compotition in the neighborhood I would probably find a way of getting them arrested before I'd murder 8 people. jmo

Well getting them arrested others can take over.

Killing an entire family can make people really think about taking over business of arrested people.

 

[mrssmith23]

Yeah, with that, If I were in the illegal business and wanted to get rid of competition in the neighborhood I would probably find a way of getting them arrested before I'd murder 8 people. jmo

Until it gets traced back to them that their the snitch and they get murdered. Country people don't call the police. They handle it themselves. Unfortunately, sometimes that results in these scenarios, and sadly, the Rhoden's were probably warned and either didn't pick up on it, didn't believe it, or didn't realize the danger they were really in. JMO.

 

[cady]

But gunshots are not necessarily an unusual sound in rural areas -- even in the middle of the night.

That's what I'm given to understand, and that dogs barking not unusual, either.....but what about motorized vehicles at 3 or 4 am? Does anyone think they were dropped off and on foot?