Angela Wagner

George 'Billy' Wagner III and his wife Angela Wagner and their sons George Wagner IV, and Edward 'Jake' Wagner were each charged with eight counts of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications, as well as other crimes, for the deaths of eight Rhoden family members. The victims were Christopher Rhoden Sr, 40, Dana Rhoden, 37, Hannah Gilley, 20, Christopher Rhoden Jr, 16, Clarence 'Frankie' Rhoden, 20, Gary Rhoden, 37, Hanna Rhoden, 19 and Kenneth Rhoden, 44. All of the Pike County massacre victims were shot in the head at point-blank range, and seven of the eight were shot multiple times. In September 2021 Angela Wagner pleaded to conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, several counts of aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, and other charges as part of a plea deal. Eight counts of aggravated murder were dismissed. The prosecution said at that time they were recommending she receive 30 years with no possibility of the death penalty. Angela Wagner confirmed on the stand at her eldest son’s trial that her entire family, including herself, participated in the massacre but that she was not present when the slayings occurred, she stressed. She hopes her plea deal would allow her to get out of prison and see her grandchildren one day.