WAVERLY — The county prosecutor made it clear on Monday that the marijuana operations uncovered at the scene of the Pike County killings were not simply a few random plants in a field somewhere.
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One of the three growing operations was set up indoors, Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk said.
There appeared to be several hundred plants.
“It wasn’t just somebody sitting pots in the window,” he said.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine also says there’s possible evidence of cockfighting at one of the properties, but he says he doesn’t know what’s relevant to the investigation.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or the Pike County Sheriff’s Office at 740-947-2111.
Some members of the Rhoden family — which lost eight of its own (see diagram above) in what officials now say were well-planned, sophisticated executions as they slept — were known to law enforcement, Junk said, but for other reasons.
“Altercations with people, that sort of thing,” he said.
Meanwhile, the investigation continues to be a 24/7 operation, the likes of which neither the Pike County sheriff’s office or even the Bureau of Criminal Investigation has seen before.
“This is unprecedented,” Dewine said.
In other developments Monday, DeWine’s office says autopsies on all eight have been completed.
A memorial fund has been established to benefit the family at Fifth Third Bank. Donations to The Rhoden Memorial Fund can be made at any Fifth Third Bank location.
No arrests have been made, and officials have not said if they have any suspects in mind. They have not released any details about a motive.
All eight victims were fatally shot in the head on Friday in Piketon. They’re being remembered as loyal and caring people.