Oh - Violet Rhoden Taylor, 35, found shot, Pike County, 11 June 2018

[MittenScarpetta]

Deleted

Thank you, yes I follow the thread and have recently posted there.

 

[adot0902]

Thank you, yes I follow the thread and have recently posted there.

As I went to the next page, I saw your name so I deleted the post. Oppps!! I guess I should assume if you follow the original Rhoden case you follow all of these.

 

[Nickandnora]

Probably. I honestly don’t understand how and why things are done the way they are in Pike Co.

I know Sowards was sent to a GJ months ago and nothing has happened yet. I was under the impression the GJ has 30 days to decide whether to indict or not indict. I’m gonna have to research the legalities some more.

I believe she was charged at that time with using her mother’s credit cards and receiving her mother’s security Cheques and cashing them. They used these charges to hold her for further investigation, as at that time they were not sure if the mother’s death was murder or natural causes. Hoping I am remember this correctly.

 

[MittenScarpetta]

As I went to the next page, I saw your name so I deleted the post. Oppps!! I guess I should assume if you follow the original Rhoden case you follow all of these.

No worries it’s hard to keep track of all the regular followers and intertwining of the cases.

 

[MittenScarpetta]

I believe she was charged at that time with using her mother’s credit cards and receiving her mother’s security Cheques and cashing them. They used these charges to hold her for further investigation, as at that time they were not sure if the mother’s death was murder or natural causes. Hoping I am remember this correctly.

Yes that’s it. On another note, I am curious to know how and why Violet was with Kerns at the time of her death. She’s not fb friends with him from what I can tell, but she does have other Kerns’ on her fb.

 

[Betty P]

Probably. I honestly don’t understand how and why things are done the way they are in Pike Co.

I know Sowards was sent to a GJ months ago and nothing has happened yet. I was under the impression the GJ has 30 days to decide whether to indict or not indict. I’m gonna have to research the legalities some more.

To be fair, I don't think it's just Pike County that has a problem. Overall, Ohio's clearance rate has declined in the last 10 yrs. Budget cuts, local corruption, focus on drug trafficking, etc. all play a part, especially in smaller population counties where politicians don't want a bad reputation for their area.. For instance, the murder of Byron Macron in Medina County is still being swept under the rug, astonishingly so.


BCI to take over investigation into former Lafayette trustee Bryan Macron's death

In a lot of these small to mid-size counties, they'll prosecute the obvious murders - drug dealers, domestic violence, etc. - but they seem increasingly willing to let the others go. Budget cuts probably have a lot to do with it, along with LE who don't have the proper experience and focus. I think a lot of them focus on drug busts these days because it brings in more money. JMO

Also disturbing is the perception that local officials put pressure on the news media to under-report many of these unsolved cases. As we've seen with the murders in Pike County, women in Chillicothe and the Bryon Macron case, there's a real problem with them keeping this stuff out of the news and unfriendly relationships with reporters.

 

[Betty P]

Yes that’s it. On another note, I am curious to know how and why Violet was with Kerns at the time of her death. She’s not fb friends with him from what I can tell, but she does have other Kerns’ on her fb.

Yeah, that's a big red flag. What was she doing way out there, with him? Trying to cut PCSO some slack, a follow up investigation to determine whether a death is suicide or murder can take some time. Have seen it happen before, especially is the killer took steps to stage the crime in some way. There may be delays in getting cell phone records, checking internet activity, etc. Tox reports take 6 wks or so.

 

[MittenScarpetta]

To be fair, I don't think it's just Pike County that has a problem. Overall, Ohio's clearance rate has declined in the last 10 yrs. Budget cuts, local corruption, focus on drug trafficking, etc. all play a part, especially in smaller population counties where politicians don't want a bad reputation for their area.. For instance, the murder of Byron Macron in Medina County is still being swept under the rug, astonishingly so.


BCI to take over investigation into former Lafayette trustee Bryan Macron's death

In a lot of these small to mid-size counties, they'll prosecute the obvious murders - drug dealers, domestic violence, etc. - but they seem increasingly willing to let the others go. Budget cuts probably have a lot to do with it, along with LE who don't have the proper experience and focus. I think a lot of them focus on drug busts these days because it brings in more money. JMO

Also disturbing is the perception that local officials put pressure on the news media to under-report many of these unsolved cases. As we've seen with the murders in Pike County, women in Chillicothe and the Bryon Macron case, there's a real problem with them keeping this stuff out of the news and unfriendly relationships with reporters.

I agree. I suppose I just mentioned Pike County because of all of these cases, but I have seen the same in other counties such as Mercer, Augalize, Lucas, etc. The issue does seem to be statewide.

And drug busts bring a lot of money. Lots of fines, lots of confiscated drug money, and the confiscated drugs themselves amongst other things. Drug crimes are crimes that bring revenue where as murder cases are crimes that cost revenue-typically.

 

[MittenScarpetta]

Yeah, that's a big red flag. What was she doing way out there, with him? Trying to cut PCSO some slack, a follow up investigation to determine whether a death is suicide or murder can take some time. Have seen it happen before, especially is the killer took steps to stage the crime in some way. There may be delays in getting cell phone records, checking internet activity, etc. Tox reports take 6 wks or so.

I am wondering if Violet’s death has given PCSO the momentum they needed to bring charges in the Hayslip case. There’s too many common factors-location, a named suspect and the recent statement by Reader saying he’s hoping the DA will bring multiple charges against Kerns regarding Hayslip’s case. I don’t necessarily believe the deaths themselves are from the same circumstances/motives, but maybe one case is going to help solve the other.

Still, I don’t know why Violet was with him. The only connection I can even remotely link is drugs. Based on Kerns’ record and 2014/2015 social media posts from VR regarding getting clean for her son, maybe that’s the common denominator.

Please know I’m not victim blaming nor do I know if VR had relapsed. It’s only speculation and in any sense, whether she relapsed or not, her death is still tragic and sad. My heart goes out to all who love her.

 

[StarryNight]

Elvie’s Facebook....check out 2016

Log into Facebook | Facebook

How does Elvie play into all this? I was following this case very closely for a long time, but I must've missed something with this Elvie guy. Was he accused in the Rhoden murders or...?

 

[adot0902]

How does Elvie play into all this? I was following this case very closely for a long time, but I must've missed something with this Elvie guy. Was he accused in the Rhoden murders or...?

I asked this question and did not get a response, THE ONLY thing I can think of is the tattoo's.... There was a rumor (I believe it was not confirmed) about a guy with a bunch of tattoo's walking down the street the night of the murder, but it was regarding the murder of the 8 Rhoden's not Violet, so I'm very confused as well, and would also love this question answered.

 

[MittenScarpetta]

I asked this question and did not get a response, THE ONLY thing I can think of is the tattoo's.... There was a rumor (I believe it was not confirmed) about a guy with a bunch of tattoo's walking down the street the night of the murder, but it was regarding the murder of the 8 Rhoden's not Violet, so I'm very confused as well, and would also love this question answered.

I don’t believe that can’t be discussed on here as it’s rumor I really wish we could have a verified insider on these threads-family, friend, anyone directly associated with all of these cases that could clear up fact and fiction.

 

[Betty P]

I don’t believe that can’t be discussed on here as it’s rumor I really wish we could have a verified insider on these threads-family, friend, anyone directly associated with all of these cases that could clear up fact and fiction.

Seconded. Would love to have a verified insider here, but I wouldn't want anyone to put themselves or their family at risk in doing so. I'll volunteer my guest bedroom and a free gas card if they need to get out of town, haha. Bring your own weapon, I don't own anything more lethal than golf clubs and a BB gun.

Actually not funny. I worry about any of the people down there who know something about these murders.

ETA: If anyone out there considers becoming a verified insider, please know that Tricia, the mods and all of us at WS will work diligently to protect your privacy.

ETA2: As for the guy with the tattoos, all of that is rumor and we can't talk about him. I will say when I clicked on the link a couple weeks ago, I had nightmares later. Just a scary looking guy, nothing more AFAIK.

 

[adot0902]

I don’t believe that can’t be discussed on here as it’s rumor I really wish we could have a verified insider on these threads-family, friend, anyone directly associated with all of these cases that could clear up fact and fiction.

I promise I wasn't trying to talk about it, and tried to stay within the rules..... Hope I did okay. I really do want to know why his Facebook was posted here, was he one of the five "witnesses"? or was it posted in the wrong Rhoden forum?

 

[Betty P]

I promise I wasn't trying to talk about it, and tried to stay within the rules..... Hope I did okay. I really do want to know why his Facebook was posted here, was he one of the five
"witnesses"? or was it posted in the wrong Rhoden forum?

IDK, I assumed it had something to do with Violet's death. Perhaps he is someone who has been on other WS members' radar.

 

[almond]

How does Elvie play into all this? I was following this case very closely for a long time, but I must've missed something with this Elvie guy. Was he accused in the Rhoden murders or...?

Sorry for the confusion! Like Betty said, just someone on my radar. My apologies. He does cause nightmares though.

 

[katie ballantine]

23? Wow. I suppose I need to dig deeper because I’m only counting 13 and a possible 14th.

Yes 22 + Violet...I was counting her in that number. She had been posting things about exposing people and knowing the truth. I think DH might be next. She was just saying things on Facebook today about the sheriff and people coming after her/being killed

 

[GoBuckeyes]

To be fair, I don't think it's just Pike County that has a problem. Overall, Ohio's clearance rate has declined in the last 10 yrs. Budget cuts, local corruption, focus on drug trafficking, etc. all play a part, especially in smaller population counties where politicians don't want a bad reputation for their area.. For instance, the murder of Byron Macron in Medina County is still being swept under the rug, astonishingly so.


BCI to take over investigation into former Lafayette trustee Bryan Macron's death

In a lot of these small to mid-size counties, they'll prosecute the obvious murders - drug dealers, domestic violence, etc. - but they seem increasingly willing to let the others go. Budget cuts probably have a lot to do with it, along with LE who don't have the proper experience and focus. I think a lot of them focus on drug busts these days because it brings in more money. JMO

Also disturbing is the perception that local officials put pressure on the news media to under-report many of these unsolved cases. As we've seen with the murders in Pike County, women in Chillicothe and the Bryon Macron case, there's a real problem with them keeping this stuff out of the news and unfriendly relationships with reporters.

BettyP, I couldn't agree more with you. The Bryon Macron case is such a travesty! It has received far too little attention.

 

[katie ballantine]

Yes, Welcome Katie! Please delete the screenshot, though. Not allowed here at WS. You never know how people may alter those graphics with photoshop, etc. Thanks!

Sorry!

 

[Betty P]

Sorry!

No problem. Thanks for being here and helping with this case.