WAVERLY, Ohio – In a tragic case that shocked the small town of Pike County, Ohio, eight members of the same extended family were brutally murdered on April 22, 2016. It took over two-and-a-half years for arrests to be made in the killings, which eventually led to charges against members of the wealthy Wagner family, known for their alleged power- and control-obsessed reputation.

The victims, all shot execution-style across four homes, included young adults and middle-aged family members. After a long and complex investigation, prosecutors argued that the motive behind the murders was driven by an obsession with control, particularly over the children in the family.

The Wagners, a well-off family in the town, were accused of concocting a murder plan against the Rhodens due to an alleged custody and control battle over Sophia, the child of one of the victims. The case unveiled deep-seated family dynamics and a quest for inherited wealth and power.

The family’s matriarch, Fredericka Wagner, owned a sprawling 1,700-acre property, which contributed to the family’s immense wealth. However, she faced her own legal troubles, including being accused of obstructing justice and perjury in the Rhoden case.

After years of courtroom drama, plea deals, and trials, the criminal proceedings resulted in life sentences and decades in prison for the Wagners involved in the murders. However, one member is still awaiting trial in connection with the gruesome killings.

The case is set to be explored in a documentary series, providing a deeper look into the depravity that shook the town of Pike County, Ohio to its core. The documentary will premiere on Oxygen with back-to-back episodes, aiming to shed light on the devastating impact of the murders.