The trial against George Wagner has been over 6 years in the making. As the prosecution finally makes their opening statements, shocking details about the crime are revealed. The KT Studios team analyzes every major moment.   Check us out online: www.instagram.com/kt_studios www.instagram.com/PiketonMassacre www.twitter.com/PiketonMassacre www.facebook.com/PiketonMassacre www.kt-studios.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

The Piketon Massacre is back. On the precipice of the largest trial in Pike County’s history, experts and locals weigh in on what is sure to be a courtroom showdown for the ages. Check us out online: www.instagram.com/kt_studios www.instagram.com/PiketonMassacre www.twitter.com/PiketonMassacre www.facebook.com/PiketonMassacre www.kt-studios.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number-one podcast is back. More than 6 years after Ohio’s largest criminal investigation was launched, the first trial begins, starting with accused murderer George Wagner IV. With never before heard witness testimony and access inside the courtroom, the KT Studios team is tracking the case in real-time. Is it the story we think we know or is there a new theory altogether? Find out starting October 24. Check us out...

The KT Studios team was asked to speak on a panel at CrimeCon Las Vegas. This episode is a live conversation and Q & A from the event where we discuss the murders, the arrests and everything in between. Check us out online: www.instagram.com/kt_studios www.instagram.com/PiketonMassacre www.twitter.com/PiketonMassacre www.facebook.com/PiketonMassacre www.kt-studios.com Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Our investigation into the Rhoden murders has taken us down many different dark and twisted roads, but as we get closer to George Wagner’s trial, we’re finally able to piece some of this mysterious puzzle together.  Check us out online: www.instagram.com/kt_studios www.instagram.com/PiketonMassacre www.twitter.com/PiketonMassacre www.facebook.com/PiketonMassacre www.kt-studios.com Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

During our research into the Rhoden murders, we’ve uncovered numerous other unsolved cases in and around Pike County. This week our team looks into how all of these mysteries, locations and the officials involved in the investigations may be connected. Check us out online: www.instagram.com/kt_studios www.instagram.com/PiketonMassacre www.twitter.com/PiketonMassacre www.facebook.com/PiketonMassacre www.kt-studios.com Learn more about your ad choices at...

As we’ve covered the tragedy, much has been said about the accused family, the investigation and the court appearances, but this week we explore the victims. For the first time, we’re talking with two Rhoden family members who have never spoken publicly before. These family members provide valuable insight into the Rhodens, a family steeped in history.  Check us out...

With more and more information about the Wagner trials becoming public, we examine the first DNA evidence the state has made public against the alleged killer family. How will this evidence come into play once George and Billy Wagner enter the courtroom? Plus, with Forensic Death Investigator Joseph Scott Morgan, we study parallels between the Rhoden murder and a crime from over 50 years ago. Check us out...

As George and Billy Wager await their trials, locals anxiously await justice and grapple with understanding the increasingly complicated legal proceedings. Our team of experts examines and breaks down the evidence as well as what the trials could look like. We also take a closer look at the lawyers and judges who are helping shape the Wagner men’s fate. Check us out...

With George Wagner’s trial looming, key evidence against the man accused of helping to plot and kill 8 members of the Rhoden family is coming into focus. Outside of the courtroom, we’ve learned that for those closest to him, coming to terms with who George was and what he’s now being accused of is nearly impossible to reconcile.  Check us out...

As the eldest Wagner son prepares to start his trial, there are two key motions that will seemingly play a large part in the case. In this episode, we examine what those are and how they could affect George Wagner’s upcoming court proceedings.  Check us out online: www.instagram.com/kt_studios www.instagram.com/PiketonMassacre www.twitter.com/PiketonMassacre www.facebook.com/PiketonMassacre www.kt-studios.com Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See...

There are two other members of the Wagner family that haven’t received as much attention but play integral parts in the complex case. This week we explore the Wagner patriarch and the woman Jake Wagner married while in Alaska. Could uncovering truths about both of them lead us closer to what really happened? Check us out online: www.instagram.com/kt_studios www.instagram.com/PiketonMassacre www.twitter.com/PiketonMassacre www.facebook.com/PiketonMassacre www.kt-studios.com Learn more...

While we’ve heard the details about the 2016 murder of the Rhoden family, little has been uncovered about the accused family…until now. With never before heard, first-hand accounts of the Wagner family’s dynamics, interactions and personalities, we begin to gain an understanding of what might have driven them to commit such atrocious acts. Check us out...

In 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were brutally murdered in their homes. The crimes divided the small community of Pike County and spawned a mystery that spanned five years. For two seasons, The Piketon Massacre covered the case, which included the arrests of another local family with intrinsic ties to the victims, the Wagners. The accused pleaded their innocence until last year- on the 5th anniversary of the murders- one of the defendants changed his plea to guilty. Now, as season...

Looking to get caught up on the intersection between the Rhoden and Wagner families as well as everything we’ve learned about the complex case before the season 3 premiere? In this episode we revisit the tragic story of the Rhoden family as well as the legal proceedings that followed.  Starting Wednesday, May 25, listen to The Piketon Massacre, a production of KT Studios on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check us out...

In 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were viciously murdered in their homes. For over six years, Ohio’s largest criminal investigation and biggest mystery have been filled with many unanswered questions. However, now with the trials starting and local residents opening up for the first time, we’re finally getting a glimpse into the night in question and perhaps more importantly, the minds of a killer family. Starting Wednesday, May 25, listen to The Piketon Massacre, a production of...

From television and film, to podcasts and books, the true-crime genre is exploding across seemingly all media platforms. On a special bonus episode of the Piketon Massacre: Return to Pike County, we take an in-depth look at the popularity of true-crime stories and our own fascination with the darker side of humanity. A roundtable of psychologists and reporters give us their take on why they are drawn to these stories, the idea of being on the other side of a true-crime documentary, and what...

A trial date for accused brother George Wagner has been set for April 4th, 2022, in the Rhoden murder case. But, what will happen in the next few months, remains to be seen. In the season two finale, we answer the most pressing listener questions with a panel of Piketon Massacre regular contributors, including reporters Angenette Levy, James Pilcher and forensics expert Joseph Morgan. We explore the important role that listeners played in shaping the direction of the season. We also delve...

A Rhoden family member puts us in touch with a friend whose family was struck by a tragic double murder. In episode ten, Piketon resident, Angie Montgomery, recounts the story of her cousin, Curtis Francis and his fiancée, Jennifer Burgette's murders in 2006. Angie takes us through the ups and downs of the 14 year investigation, including the discovery of an archive of eyewitness statements, the loss of potentially incriminating evidence and the work of one Cincinnati reporter who never gave...

Pike County is no stranger to misconduct by local officials, as is seen in the case of former Pike County Sheriff, Charlie Reader. In part two of 25 Miles South, reporter Nikki Blankenship picks up where she left off in episode seven - exploring allegations of abuse of power in a community just south of PIketon. When Nikki comes into some damning information tying a Portsmouth, Ohio lawyer and former city councilman to long standing rumors of sex trafficking, her lead is followed up by...

Two months after Jake Wagner pled guilty to killing five of the eight Rhodens, accused brother George Wagner IV heads back to court for a pre-trial hearing. In episode eight, we catch up with regular Piketon Massacre contributors, Angenette Levy, Jody Barr and Joseph Morgan for a roundtable discussion, covering everything from George Wagner's most recent hearing, their earliest insights into the investigation and thoughts on the questions that continue to cloak the horrific crime in mystery. ...

About 30 minutes away from Piketon is Portsmouth, Ohio, a once bustling community that fell on hard times and became the epicenter of the Opioid crisis. In episode seven, we talk to local journalist, Nikki Blankenship, who did a deep investigation into the issues her hometown faced, including serious allegations of sex trafficking. What she found was that Pike County isn’t the only tight knit community with secrets. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

At the time of the Rhoden murders, Chris Graves was working as a reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer. As she began covering the story she had no idea what would transpire in Pike County. In episode six, we sit down exclusively with her as she recounts her experience being the only journalist to interview not only the surviving family members, but also the accused. Her perspective gives us a one of a kind insight into the massacre. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

The man who helped lead Ohio’s largest criminal investigation, Sheriff Charlie Reader went from being a well-liked public figure to finding himself at the center of a very different crime- one that placed him on the other side of the law. In episode 5, we look at the once beloved sheriff’s career, his involvement in the Rhoden case and his shocking fall from grace.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

It’s been described as the most gruesome, complicated and long-lingering homicide cases the state of Ohio has ever seen. In episode four, alongside forensic expert, Joseph Morgan we look at the varying evidence that is sure to shape the upcoming trials. As we attempt to piece together what transpired in the Rhoden homes, the complicated forensics and crime scenes begin to make sense. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for...