COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two additional family members convicted for their involvement in the 2016 murders of eight members of the Rhoden family in Ohio have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. This significant development brings the prosecution closer to conclusion in what has been labeled one of the most heinous crimes in modern Ohio history.

Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein sentenced Edward “Jake” Wagner to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 32 years, along with 12 years for gun-related charges and an additional 20 years for the murders of five victims. This sentence surprised many, given that Wagner had previously pled guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated murder, and agreed to serve eight consecutive life sentences with no chance for parole. The judge noted he considered the sentences of other co-defendants and Wagner’s cooperation with authorities in solving the complex case involving the tragic slayings of seven adults and a teenager.

Angela Wagner, Jake's mother, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with credit for six years already served. She had pled guilty for her role in orchestrating the murders. Additionally, her mother, Rita Holcomb, received a five-year probation sentence, along with a $750 fine, for lying to investigators during the probe.

In a statement prior to the sentences, Judge Hein expressed, “Each generation has its own people who can prove the depths of depravity of human nature, and that’s what this case did. It showed the boundless depravity of people who have no respect for others, only their own self-interest in mind” (The Guardian). During the emotionally charged hearing, victims’ family members expressed their outrage, with Andrea Shoemaker, the mother of one victim, denouncing Jake Wagner as the "spawn of Satan" and his mother as "evil."

According to prosecutors, the Wagners dispatched the killings amid a bitter custody dispute involving Wagner's niece, whose mother was one of the deceased. The murders took place near Piketon, Ohio, and ignited fears within the rural community, initially leading to theories involving drug cartel activity. The resulting investigation became one of the most resource-intensive in state history.

The victims included Christopher Rhoden Sr., his ex-wife Dana, and their children, along with other family members. George Wagner IV, Jake's brother, had previously received eight consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole after opting to go to trial, contrasting with Jake's cooperation plea. Judge Hein emphasized the distinct nature of Jake's sentence due to his assistance in the investigation.

The patriarch of the Wagner family, George “Billy” Wagner III, remains the last of the family members awaiting trial. Judge Hein has moved his proceedings outside of Pike County to ensure an impartial environment during the trial (AP News).

For more detailed coverage, visit the original articles on AP News and The Guardian.