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Probe: Pot, cockfighting evidence discovered

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the investigation into the killings of eight family members in rural Ohio entered its fifth day, more details slowly trickled out.

Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk told the Columbus Dispatch Monday that the marijuana operations discovered at three of the four crime scenes included a grow-house sheltering hundreds of plants.

“It wasn’t just somebody sitting pots in the window,” Junk said.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine later added that that there was possible evidence of cockfighting at one of the properties, but he said he did not know what was relevant to the investigation.

All eight victims were fatally shot in the head on Friday in Piketon, about 60 miles south of Columbus.

The victims were identified as 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr.; his ex-wife, 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; their three children; Christopher Rhoden Sr.’s brother, 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden; their cousin, 38-year-old Gary Rhoden; and 20-year-old Hannah Gilley, whose 6-month old son “Frankie” was unharmed.

A Cincinnati-area businessman offered a $25,000 reward for details leading to those responsible.

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