About While They Were Sleeping: The Pike County Murders
In April 2016, eight members of the same family were all found shot to death in their beds in multiple homes in Pike County, Ohio.
In the 10 years that have followed, there's been years of investigation, multiple arrests, two guilty confessions and one criminal trial — but one person accused of the murders still has yet to face a jury.
'I am NOT sorry I got caught' | The Pike County Murders Episode 6
As George, Jake and Angela's cases wrap up, we look toward the trial of Billy Wagner, who has maintained his innocence in the 10 years since the Pike County Massacre.
Here's what's happened, and what's still to come.
20 May 2026
'I'm gonna take the electric chair' | The Pike County Murders Episode 5
We couldn't record Jake and Angela Wagner's testimony during George Wagner's trial, but we did take notes.
In this episode, we detail everything Jake told prosecutors about the night he, his brother George and father Billy went out to kill the Rhoden family, as well as the errors mom Angela made in her BCI interviews.
13 May 2026
'They will have to kill me' | The Pike County Murders Episode 4
A fight over child custody turns fatal when the Wagner family devises a plan to ensure Jake and Hanna May's baby stays with them — no matter what.
We look at some of the details investigators found that linked the Pike County murders to Billy, Angela, George and Jake Wagner.
6 May 2026
'Don't You Love Me?' | The Pike County Murders Episode 3
To understand how the Wagner family is connected to the Rhoden murders, we take you back to where it all began: the moment Hanna May met Jake.
We also bring you Tabitha's story of escaping the "strange and controlling" family capable of murder.
29 Apr 2026
'A Pre-Planned Execution' | The Pike County Murders Episode 2
In the days and months after eight members of the Rhoden family were murdered in their homes, investigators kept quiet while trying to determine whether they should be looking outward — at a Mexican drug cartel or rival marijuana sellers — or inward, at suspects much closer to home.
Learn more about While They Were Sleeping: The Pike County Murders at wcpo.com/while-they-were-sleeping (https://www.wcpo.com/while-they-were-sleeping).
22 Apr 2026
'A Bunch of Bodies' | The Pike County Murders Episode 1
It's been 10 years since eight members of the Rhoden family were all found shot to death in what was dubbed The Pike County Massacre.
In this episode, we detail the beginnings of what would become the biggest murder investigation in Ohio history — from the first 911 call to the moment our very own crew arrives on scene.
Learn more about While They Were Sleeping: The Pike County Murders at wcpo.com/while-they-were-sleeping (https://www.wcpo.com/while-they-were-sleeping).
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