WAVERLY, Ohio — The man who is currently labeled as “Ohio’s worst killer” is no longer in the state where he was sentenced to serve multiple lives behind bars.
In the unassuming town of Piketon, Ohio, a sinister saga unfolded that continues to haunt the local residents. The man at the center of the grisly narrative, George Wagner, IV, 31, etched his name in the annals of Ohio’s criminal history as one of the state’s worst killers last year after taking his case to trial and losing. The Rhoden murders, a case that has become synonymous with Wagner, culminated in his sentencing to multiple counts of life in prison.
Before Wagner’s story led him to the cell blocks of prison, it began in Pike County, where the Rhoden family lived a life far from ostentatious, but peaceful in its simplicity. This tranquility was shattered in April 2016, when the Rhoden family — Christopher Rhoden Sr., Dana Rhoden, Christopher Rhoden Jr., Hanna Rhoden, Kenneth Rhoden, Gary Rhoden, Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, and Hannah Gilley — were brutally murdered in their homes.
Wagner, along with other members of his family, were indicted in 2018 for meticulously planning and executing the murders, a gruesome act that gripped the nation. So far, Wagner is the only member of his family to take his case to the jury box, where last year he was found guilty as charged of more than 22 felony counts, including eight counts of murder. His mother, Angela and brother, Jake copped plea deals and were spared the death penalty to testify against him, their name now echoing with infamy. A custody dispute between the two families was cited as the reason for the killings.
As the dust begins to settle and Wagner files his appeals however, — his father who shares his namesake but goes by “Billy” is slated for trial next year — a new development arose that has reignited interest in the case. Wagner, originally confined in Ohio, was recently transferred to a prison in Rhode Island. This move, shrouded in mystery, has sparked a flurry of questions and speculations. But officials on both ends have kept their lips sealed, citing security reasons.
The elusive statement about Wagner’s status in Rhode Island was that he was being housed there under “an interstate-compact agreement” with Ohio. According to this agreement, one state can transfer its inmate to another state’s jurisdiction. This typically happens to facilitate specific requirements that the original state cannot provide, such as certain types of rehabilitation or security arrangements. It can also happen if there are threats to the inmate’s life, or if the inmate’s presence in a particular facility is a threat to others. The agreement ensures that the inmate’s sentence continues as if they were in their home state.
Despite the interstate-compact agreement, Rhode Island officials were quick to clarify that Wagner is still legally an Ohio inmate. They redirected all further inquiries to Ohio, ensuring that the responsibility and the narrative remained with his home state.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) proved to be equally tight-lipped when contacted on Monday. A spokeswoman merely confirmed Wagner’s relocation and refused to offer further information. Citing “security concerns,” she insisted that she had revealed all she could. As for the pressing question of why Wagner was moved — this, she said, was confidential information.
The security around Wagner’s movements have always been high-profile. A SWAT team was used for three months to move him to-and-from court during his trial, which included a motorcade with lights and sirens. As for how he was transported to Rhode Island remains a secret.
As things stand, the mystery behind Wagner’s move to Rhode Island remains an enigma. His story, peppered with crime, mystery, and now, ambiguity, continues to captivate and baffle the public. It’s a dark chapter in Ohio’s history, a chilling tale of crime and punishment that is still unfolding. While the narrative remains far from complete, the one certainty that prevails is George Wagner’s infamous legacy — as Ohio’s worst killer.