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Authorities seek information on 4 people in Pike County massacre investigation

Posted at 2:47 PM, Jun 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-20 05:21:57-04

CINCINNATI -- Authorities are looking for information about four people as part of the investigation into the Pike County massacre that left eight members of the Rhoden family dead last year.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader announced Monday that investigators are looking for information about George "Billy" Wagner III, 46, Angela Wagner, 46, George Wagner IV, 25 and Edward "Jake" Wagner, 24.

RELATED: Authorities searched trailers of Pike County massacre victim's ex-boyfriend

Investigators are interested in information about "any interactions, conversations, dealings, or transactions that the public may have had with these individuals, which could be personal, business, or otherwise. Specifically, information could include, but is not limited to, information regarding vehicles, firearms, and ammunition," officials said in a news release Monday.

The Wagners are former residents of Peterson Road in Peebles and are now believed to be in Alaska, authorities said.

Investigators have previously searched properties linked to the Wagners. That search included a state Route 41 property where the owner said authorities looked through trailers owned by the Wagners. Authorities also searched a Peterson Road property the Wagners sold in March and the Flying W Farm, which is owned by Jake Wagner's grandparents.

 

Jake Wagner was in a custody dispute with Hanna Rhoden, one of the victims, according to Leonard Manley, her grandfather. The girl at the center of the custody dispute was not at any of the locations where the massacre occurred, Manley said, though several young children were found alive.

Eight members of the Rhoden family were discovered dead from gunshot wounds at four Pike County properties April 22, 2016. The sheriff has said he believes the killers are locals, but authorities have never named suspects in the case. 

Officials asked anyone with information to call the BCI tip line at 1-855-224-6446 or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111. Information will remain confidential, they said.