11 episodes
The Pink Moon Murders Cavalry
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- True Crime
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4.0 • 445 Ratings
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The Pink Moon Murders is an investigative, true crime podcast that delves into the slaughter of eight members of the Rhoden family in rural, Appalachian Ohio in 2016. It was a night that shocked the country with its brutality—and its mystery. Who would commit such horrible crimes? And why? Ohio native David Raterman, a longtime journalist and former author for National Geographic, spent 18 months researching this, interviewing Rhoden survivors and friends as well as hundreds of others in the small community. He even spoke with prosecutors and police officers who were officially gagged by the judge, visited the crime scenes countless times, and pored through records at courthouses throughout the region. Two and a half years after the Rhoden murders, investigators suddenly arrested six members of another family. Raterman attended more than 20 of their hearings at the small, one-room courthouse in Pike County and interviewed their neighbors and friends. What he discovered about that family, who owns the most land in the county as well as an elite horse farm, will leave listeners in utter disbelief. And what he reports overall will surprise investigators—as well as true crime listeners who think they’ve heard it all. Presented by Cavalry Audio and iHeartPodcasts
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Episode 1: An Appalachian Back Road
A night of violence shakes a small Ohio town to its core when eight family members—the Rhodens—are shot to death in their sleep in 2016. Their ages range from 44 to 16 with five males and three females—including two young moms with their babies nearby. David Raterman, a journalist who grew up 90 miles away, decides to investigate what the local sheriff calls “a heinous crime that’s never been seen before.” And what he discovers is not only shocking but also a true whodunit.
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Episode 2: Dogwood Weekend
Officers from around Ohio rush in to help the small sheriff’s office, with early suspects including Rhoden in-laws as well as several men who recently fought two Rhodens. And loved ones share thoughts about the murders as well as about the victims. This includes how they valued family first and were hard workers—and how some of the males were attractive as “bad boys.” In early news reports, all were portrayed as loving. But did any have dark secrets that led to the ultimate revenge?
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Episode 3: Black Crows and White Caskets
At a cemetery where five Rhodens are buried, a family friend and former cop shares his insight. Others close to the seven Rhodens and one Rhoden-to-be celebrate their lives and give further insight into them, including an ex-boyfriend whose child lost a mother in the shootings. Police report they’re following up on 450 tips they’ve received and have already interviewed 128 people. And then suddenly, the announcement of a large criminal enterprise on Rhoden properties sends investigators in a new direction—and turns the court of public opinion hard against the Rhodens.
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Episode 4: El Chapo?
After prosecutors announce marijuana grow operations on Rhoden properties, news outlets report the illegal crops are valued at $400,000—a fortune in the rural, Appalachian community. Journalist David Raterman learns more about drug production and use throughout the region, and he discovers connections to Mexico’s ruthless cartel leader El Chapo. Was he involved in the Rhoden murders, as many in the community believe? Also, court records show some Rhodens had violent criminal histories.
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Episode 5: A Pink Moon and Singing Insects
A year after the murders, Ohioans remain scared and frustrated that a mass murderer is still loose—despite police studying evidence and interviewing hundreds of people. Among the most important questions is how the killer got past all the dogs outside Rhoden homes. “Solve that, and you might solve the crime,” Tony Rhoden says. After another year, a family of six—the Wagners—is arrested. Four are charged with the murders, and the two great-grandmothers are charged with accessory crimes.
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Episode 6: “The Most Bizarre Story I Have Ever Seen”
Billy and Angela Wagner, husband and wife, and their sons, George and Jake, each face eight counts of aggravated murder with death penalty specifications. Investigators hint that the Wagners murdered to get custody of a daughter Jake and 19-year-old Hanna May Rhoden shared. Then journalist David Raterman discovers who these Wagners are—the black sheep of Pike County’s largest landowner—and who they are not, including Billy legally changing his name and possibly not actually being married to Angela. Raterman also gets previously unknown video of Jake, George, and Billy attending the visitation for a Rhoden they allegedly murdered. Billy’s face is covered in bruises in those days right after the murders.
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Customer Reviews
Good buuuut…
The “moooore pink moon murders” guy that announces the break is terrifying. However, content is good.
Great job
I thought this was a very well-researched podcast with a lot of thought and passion put behind it. I appreciated that the narrator was more monotone with his voice because it felt more respectful. The narration was less dramatic than other true crime podcasts which i liked because it sounded more respectful to me considering that these were real people
Jakes grimace
I liked this podcast but I don’t agree whith “the grimace” Jake made when admitting he murdered Hanna Mae I saw a gleeful smile he tried to stifle.