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Ohio shootings autopsy: 1 victim shot 9 times


HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio — Preliminary findings of the autopsies of the eight family members killed in a mass shooting in Ohio on Friday were released Tuesday.

In a news release, Hamilton County Coroner Lakshmi Sammarco confirmed all victims in the Pike County, Ohio, mass shooting died of gunshot wounds.

Without identifying each victim, the coroner's report stated the following:

One victim suffered a single gunshot wound, one victim suffered two gunshot wounds, two victims each had three gunshot wounds, another victim had four gunshot wounds, two victims each had five gunshot wounds and one victim had nine gunshot wounds.

The coroner released no other information, but indicated the investigation is ongoing.

The victims have been identified as Hannah Gilley, 20, Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40, Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 20, Dana Rhoden, 37, Gary Rhoden, 38, Hanna Rhoden, 19, and Kenneth Rhoden, 44. All were shot in the head, some while in their bed. Three children, including a 4-day-old, survived the ordeal.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has called the crime "a pre-planned execution" and “a sophisticated operation." Authorities say they anticipate a long, methodical and difficult probe into the deadliest mass killing so far in 2016 in the United States.

Investigators found three marijuana growing operations at three locations at the crime scenes, which included three trailers. A fourth scene, and the last body, was discovered a few miles away.

DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader have declined to say if drugs are a possible motive in the killings.

Also Tuesday, DeWine's office said 61 pieces of evidence have been sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation crime laboratory for further analysis.

The new evidence brings the total to 79 pieces of evidence with 18 "high-priority" pieces submitted for testing.

The release stated additional search warrants were served Monday in connection with the investigation, but authorities will not release the number of warrants or the locations.

What we know about the victims:

Christopher Rhoden Jr. — 16 years old

The Piketon High School freshman had recently gotten his driver’s license. Christopher lived with his mother, Dana Rhoden, according to court records.

Dana and his father, Christopher Rhoden Sr., who were divorced, also were shot and killed.

Hanna Rhoden — 19 years old

She worked at a nursing home but had recently taken maternity leave. She was shot to death as she slept with her days-old infant daughter nearby. Hanna also had a 2-year-old daughter who was not at the crime scene. That child was with another family member and remains with that family member.

Hannah Gilley — 20 years old

She was engaged to Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, whom she described as the "love of my life" on her Facebook page. Both were shot and killed.

The couple had a 6-month old son.

Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden — 20 years old

The father of two children drove in demolition derbies, even competing in out-of-state events. Numerous people in the demolition derby community took to Facebook to share their condolences. He worked at a sawmill, according to his grandfather, and previously attended Piketon High School.

He and Hannah Gilley had a 6-month old son.

Clarence Rhoden also had a 3-year-old son from another relationship, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Dana Rhoden — 37 years old

She married Christopher Rhoden Sr. on Oct. 27, 1994. They had 3 children. They divorced in 2007 because of "irreconcilable differences," according to court records.

After the divorce, the parents shared custody of their three children. Two of the children lived with Dana, according to court records.

Gary Rhoden — 38 years old

He was a cousin of Christopher Rhoden Sr.

Christopher Rhoden Sr. — 40 years old

Ex-husband to Dana and father to Chrisopher Jr., Hanna and Clarence. He and his wife divorced in 2007. Clarence lived with him, according to court records.

Kenneth Rhoden — 44 years old

He and Christopher Rhoden Sr., were brothers.

He and his ex-wife had two children. They married in 1991 and divorced in 2006 because they were incompatible with each other, according to court records.

The children are now 19 and 23.

( Source )


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