Ep 11. Red Christmas

People Magazine Investigates is a true crime show that delves into some of the most shocking and mysterious cases in recent history. Season 5 episode 11, titled "Red Christmas," explores a particularly chilling case that occurred during the holiday season.

The episode focuses on the unsolved murder of the extended Rhoden family in Pike County, Ohio on December 15, 2015. Eight members of the family, ranging in age from 16 to 44, were found shot to death in four different homes. Three young children, including a newborn, were found unharmed at the scenes. The brutal slayings shocked the community and captured national attention.

The episode begins by introducing the Rhoden family, a tight-knit group living in a rural area. They were known for their hunting and fishing skills, and their love for one another. However, behind the idyllic picture, the episode also reveals a complicated family dynamic that included numerous conflicts and feuds.

As the investigation unfolded, authorities soon suspected that the murders were not a random act of violence. The peculiarities of the crime scene, the sheer scale of the violence, and the fact that the Rhodens were not typical crime victims all pointed towards a targeted killing.

Throughout the episode, investigators and family members share their experiences in the aftermath of the murders. The case required an unprecedented response from law enforcement, with over 400 tips and 800 pieces of evidence gathered in the first few days alone. Detectives faced numerous challenges in piecing together the events leading up to the murders, including a distrustful community and very little forensic evidence.

The episode highlights the complex web of relationships and motives that may have led to the Rhoden family's deaths. Family members and community members speculate on a motive, with theories ranging from a drug cartel hit to a family member's personal vendetta. Several individuals are introduced as potential suspects, including a former son-in-law with a criminal history and a family friend who may have been involved in a custody dispute.

As the episode progresses, People Magazine Investigates lays out the various pieces of evidence that investigators have gathered. This includes extensive ballistics testing, DNA analysis, and cell phone tower tracking. Though no arrests have been made in the years since the murders, investigators remain optimistic that new developments will bring the case to a close.

Throughout "Red Christmas," People Magazine Investigates provides a poignant and detailed look at the lives of those affected by the Rhoden family murders. Family members recount their shock and heartbreak at losing so many loved ones in one fell swoop, while investigators detail the ongoing search for answers. Viewers are left with a haunting image of a close-knit family ripped apart by an unspeakable act of violence, and a community struggling to cope with the aftermath.