The relationships between the family members killed in execution-style shootings in OH on Friday have been released by the attorney general’s office. Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco’s report said one victim had a single wound, one had two wounds, and the rest had three or more. The caller, who identified two of the victims as her brother-in-law and cousin, apparently goes to the home each morning to care for their dogs and chickens. He says none of the fatal wounds appeared to be self-inflicted.
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The men had been shot in the head, execution-style.
– Seven of eight relatives who were killed in their southern OH homes had been shot multiple times, including one who was shot nine times, according to autopsy results released Tuesday.
Authorities haven’t reported any suspects or motives for the murders yet, but Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader said the family was specifically targeted.
Ohio’s attorney general released audio of two calls on Saturday. “I told them to be armed”, he said.
Authorities have released few details about the case. Reader did confirm that marijuana growing operations were found at three of the four crime scene locations, but did not indicate if they believed it had anything to do with the murders. The infant, a six-month-old boy and a 3-year-old boy survived.
A local restaurateur, Jeff Ruby, offered a $25,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
But they have not identified any suspects and say that whoever killed them should be considered armed and unsafe.
In addition, more than 100 personnel have been involved in the investigation, five search warrants have been executed, and four crime scenes have been worked.
“This incident command post is very versatile with everything from mobile work space to being an incident command post where dispatching or the leaders of an incident can manage it”, said Butler County sheriff’s deputy Bill Vedra. They ask that everyone be respectful of their family of their loss at this time. The relatives urge those with information to call 855-BCI-OHIO.
Authorities have said that marijuana “grow operations” were found at crime scenes where eight members of the same family were killed “execution” style – but they can not confirm that the motive for the killings was related to drugs.
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Mike DeWine says the autopsy is being done Monday on the victim from Pike County in southern Ohio. Their bodies were found on Friday in four dwellings in or near the Appalachian town of Piketon, about 95 miles east of Cincinnati. They have refused to discuss many details of the crime. Authorities were still trying Sunday to find out who targeted the family and why.
Pastor Phil Fulton, of Union Hill Church, said one of the dead is 37-year-old Dana Manley Rhoden, Christopher Rhoden’s ex-wife.
He says they were previously part of his congregation, though not recently. The third residence is more than a mile away. They were found in homes near Piketon, about 60 miles south of Columbus. Hanna Rhoden’s newborn baby, less than a week old, was found near her mother’s body, the AP reported. Furthermore, he clearly stated other members of the Rhoden family should stay armed for their own protection, as the suspect or suspects are still on the loose and should be considered armed and risky.
“Ultimately, there is a threat because there is someone who’s done this and they’re still at large”.
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The officials also declined to say whether the investigation extended beyond OH or to provide any more details.
