UPDATE: More than two dozen investigators focused on Pike County slayings

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio's attorney general and a sheriff say more than two dozen investigators are focused on solving the slayings of eight people from one family who were found shot two months ago.

Investigators won't reveal how much closer they might be to identifying any suspects or a motive, saying they don't want to jeopardize the chance to convict whoever's responsible.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon. All but one had been shot repeatedly, and some had bruising.

Authorities have reviewed about 700 tips and 100 pieces of evidence and relocated the four mobile homes to preserve the crime scenes.

Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader says he's confident the case will eventually be solved.

PIKETON, Ohio (AP/WSAZ) - A number of families have started efforts to gain custody of two of the children found unharmed after eight family members were slain in southern Ohio.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that three families have hired lawyers and are making preparations to convince the state they are fit to raise the two babies.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon. Authorities say all eight were shot in the head, and some had other gunshot wounds and bruising.

Three children, ages 4 days, 6 months and 3 years were found alive.

Investigators say they've received hundreds of tips about the murders but authorities have not said if they've reached any conclusions about who is behind the slayings or why the family was targeted.

The two numbers to call if you have a tip is 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (AP) - Authorities investigating the killings of eight relatives in rural southern Ohio say they've received over 550 tips over the last month.

Investigators say they've also reviewed evidence and relocated entire crime scenes but they've yet to share any conclusions about who targeted the family or why.

Sunday marks one month since seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead at four properties near Piketon. A coroner determined all but one had been shot repeatedly, and some also had bruising.

Authorities have moved the four mobile homes to an investigation command center in Waverly, saying they hope to preserve the gruesome crime scenes to help with the investigation.

Vehicles from the properties also have been removed from the properties.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Ohio Attorney General's Office says the crime scene locations where eight people were murdered last month in Pike County have been released to the families.

For the first time since April 22, family members of the Rhoden's are now allowed back at the four crime scenes in Pike County.

The victims, 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, were all found shot to death, execution style.

There was one victim with a single gunshot wound, one victim with two gunshot wounds, two victims with three gunshot wounds, one victim with four gunshot wounds, two victims with five gunshot wounds and one with nine gunshot wounds.

Three children, ages 4 days, 6 months and 3 years were found alive.

Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine says the killings were targeted.

Investigators say they have collected more than 100 items of evidence from the crime scenes. They have also interviewed 130 people in connection with the crime.

The trailers where the crimes took place, as well as three vehicles, have been taken from the properties.

The AG's Office says, "The decision to move the homes was made in order to preserve the crime scenes in the conditions in which they were found in an effort to assist with the ongoing investigation and anticipated prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the mass murders."

Officials are seeking video from nearby homes homes or businesses that may solve the murders. They are looking for video on April 21 or April 22.

WAVERLY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Investigators say solving a case involving the murders of eight family members in Pike County is similar to working a "thousand-piece puzzle."

The victims, members of the Rhoden family, were found shot to death execution style last month in rural Pike County.

"I liken it to putting together a puzzle -- five hundred-piece puzzle, thousand-piece puzzle," Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. "You start putting them together and get one piece of evidence here and one piece of evidence there, and ultimately you start getting a picture and that's what's going to happen with this case."

DeWine said investigators have interviewed more than 100 people. He said the case presents many unique challenges.

"Ever since the murders, we have four murder scenes which, of course, is very unusual to begin with," DeWine said. Sheriff Reader has had to have deputies stationed out there to protect those crime scenes, and it takes a lot of people to do that."

DeWine said the investigation could drag out for weeks, even months, because of those variables.

WAVERLY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader says the home where eight members of the Rhoden family were murdered last month are being relocated to preserve the crime scenes.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon. Authorities say all eight were shot in the head, and some had other gunshot wounds and bruising. Three young children were unharmed.

Thursday, officials announced work began to move the four mobile homes. They will be taken to a secure location at the investigation command center in Waverly, according to the AG's Office. The process is expected to take several days.

The AG's Office says, "The decision to move the homes was made in order to preserve the crime scenes in the conditions in which they were found in an effort to assist with the ongoing investigation and anticipated prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the mass murders."

This week, officials announced they are seeking any video from nearby homes or businesses that may help solve the murders. They are looking for video recorded on April 21 or April 22.

Investigators are also reemphasizing their request for people to call the tip line if they have any information on the killings. So far, 500 tips have been received.

The two numbers to call if you have video or a tip is 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111.

The Cincinnati Enquirer interviewed Bobby Jo Manley, the Rhoden family member who found most of the victims. Click the link to read the vivid details from that day.

WAVERLY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader announced Tuesday they are seeking any video from nearby residents or businesses in the Pike County and Adams County that may help solve the mass murders of eight people last month.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon.

Specifically, they are looking for video recorded on April 21 or April 22.

Investigators are also reemphasizing their request for people to call the tip line if they have any information on the killings. So far, 500 tips have been received.

The two number to call if you have video or a tip is 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111.

Callers can remain anonymous.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Ohio Attorney General's Office says evidence is still being taken from the scenes of murders in Pike County.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon.

More than 100 pieces of evidence have been taken from the four properties.

Wednesday, Lisa Peterson Hackley with the AG's Office told WSAZ three vehicles were taken from family property Tuesday.

She says they were removed from the scene as part of the investigation into the Rhoden family murders.

No arrests have been made in what AG Mike Dewine calls targeted killings. All eight were shot in the head. Some had multiple gunshot wounds.

More than 130 interviews have taken place and 450 tips have been received in the case.

During the investigation, officials say they found marijuana at the properties. There is no word at this time if the killings were drug related.

Funerals for six of the victims were held Tuesday in West Portsmouth, Ohio. One victim's funeral was last Thursday. One victim was buried Saturday.

WEST PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (AP) -- A victim's advocate speaking for the surviving relatives of eight family members slain in southern Ohio says he hopes the healing can begin soon.

He called Tuesday's funeral for six members of the Rhoden family extremely somber.

The six were among eight people found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon, about 80 miles east of Cincinnati. No arrests have been made.

Mourners at a hillside cemetery outside West Portsmouth crowded around three blue tents shielding the six caskets.

A few deputies stood in the background while people paid their finals respects.

The funeral was held Tuesday for Christopher Rhoden, his ex-wife, their three children and his brother. Services for a cousin and the fiancee of Christopher Rhoden's son Frankie were held last week.

WEST PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (AP) -- A funeral has been held for six family members who were found slain with two other relatives at their homes in southern Ohio.

Caskets were loaded onto six black hearses after Tuesday's services at a West Portsmouth church. The hearses then led a procession of more than 150 vehicles to a nearby hillside cemetery.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon. No arrests have been made.

Some mourners arrived at the church wearing bright orange T-shirts saying "Rhoden Proud, Rhoden Strong" on the front and "In Loving Memory" on the back with the victims' names.

One car had "Fly High Rhodens" and the date they were found dead scrawled in the back windshield.

WEST PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (AP) - The minister of a church where the funeral of six family members is being held says the targeted slayings that killed them and two other relatives have rocked the entire southern Ohio community.

The Rev. Mark Seevers spoke Tuesday before funeral at Dry Run Church of Christ in West Portsmouth. He says the family requested the church space, and the church wanted to help.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy from the Rhoden family were found dead April 22 at four properties near Piketon. Authorities say all eight were shot in the head, and some had other gunshot wounds and bruising. Three young children were unharmed.

Authorities haven't determined who killed them or why. Attorney General Mike DeWine says investigators have conducted nearly 130 interviews and are reviewing about 450 tips and more than 100 pieces of evidence.

A handful of Scioto County sheriff's deputies was posted at the church driveway entrance and slightly down the road on either side as people started arriving for the service.

Ohio's attorney general said there would be "ample security" at the funeral.

WAVERLY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Law enforcement officials are investigating hundreds of tips and pieces of evidence in connection with the execution-style killings of eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike County, Ohio.

The family members were found dead at multiple locations on April 22.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine issued a press release Monday afternoon with an update on the ongoing investigation into the murders.

Investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Pike County Sheriff's Office worked through the weekend, according to the release.

They have now collected more than 100 items of evidence that have been sent to the BCI crime laboratory. The evidence includes DNA, ballistics, latent print and trace analysis.

BCI agents and sheriff's deputies have also conducted 128 witness interviews and witness contacts.

More than 450 tips have been received by both the BCI and the sheriff's office. In addition to investigating each of those tips, authorities are requesting that people continue to come forward with any information they have about the murders.

If you have any information, you're asked to call 855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or 740-947-2111.

PIKETON, Ohio (AP) - Clutching lighted candles and launching balloons, hundreds of people have come together to recall eight people killed in a shooting massacre in rural Ohio.

The vigil Friday night at the Pike County fairgrounds brought together family members, friends and community residents, all commemorating the lives of those slain April 22 at four homes near Piketon.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that many wore T-shirts with photos and messages on them. There were hugs, tears and stories from those who knew the victims well.

A funeral for 20-year-old Hannah Gilley is planned for Saturday in Otway, Ohio. The funeral for victim Gary Rhoden was held Thursday in Kentucky and other funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday.

SOUTH SHORE, KY (WSAZ) –The $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the Pike County massacre case has been withdrawn by a Cincinnati businessman.

In a statement on Twitter, Jeff Ruby said "with recent complex criminal developments in Pike County case, we are withdrawing our reward and involvement."

Thursday the first funeral for the victims was held. The funeral for Gary Rhoden happened at noon at the Crockett L. Reed Funeral Home in South Shore, Kentucky.

Gary Rhoden was one of the eight people killed in the shootings in Pike County.

It’s been five days since the bodies of seven adults and a 16-year-old were found shot in their homes in Piketon.

Authorities say they’ve interviewed more than 50 people but haven’t made arrests or confirmed a motive for the killings.

SOUTH SHORE, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A significant police presence is hoped to ease the minds of family and friends attending the visitation of one of the victims of last week's murders, where investigators say eight members of a family were targeted in Pike County, Ohio.

Gary Rhoden's visitation is being held Wednesday evening at the Crockett L. Reed Funeral Home in South Shore.

Law enforcement from Kentucky State Police, Greenup City Police, and the Greenup County Sheriff's Department are on hand outside the building.

The funeral home director says while there's no indication anyone present is in danger, they wanted to take every measure to ensure the family felt safe.

He says additional law enforcement from Pike County, Ohio, will be on hand for Gary Rhoden's funeral Thursday.

Gary Rhoden was 38.

Meanwhile, the Ohio's attorney general is warning of a scam in which someone is claiming to be from the local sheriff's office and is asking for donations for the victims of last week's killings.

Mike DeWine said Wednesday evening a resident told the Pike County Sheriff's Office that he received a call from a man indicating that he was with the sheriff's office and was soliciting donations to benefit the victims.

DeWine says it's a scam, and people should not give money.

Earlier Wednesday, DeWine and other officials visited the four crime scenes.

Investigators have interviewed more than 50 people, but no arrests have been made.

PIKETON, Ohio (AP) – For the first time, since eight people were killed in Pike County, Ohio, the Attorney General Mike Dewine went into the homes where the murders happened.

During a news conference Wednesday, Dewine described it as "a frame you can put the picture in later."

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy were found dead Friday at four properties in the hills near Piketon. Since then, investigators have interviewed more than 50 people but haven't made any arrests or confirmed a specific motive for the slayings.

Dewine described the murders as "an old fashioned, cold blooded, calculated massacre of eight human beings."

However, he also stressed that investigators would not release information that could hurt the investigation.

"Much as we would like to share information with you, much as we would like to share information with the public, we have no intention, absolutely no intention, of doing anything that can jeopardize this case," said DeWine.

Investigators say they anticipate this is going to be a lengthy investigation and do not want to give the killer or killers any indication of the information they have collected.

Dewine said they are not assuming it was just one person who was involved.

Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader also spoke during the news conference. He says any information about this case should be vertified with the sheriff's department or attorney general.

Sheriff Reader said there will be security at the victims’ funerals. The first visitation will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. for Gary Rhoden in South Shore, Kentucky.

Investigators say they have stepped up patrols in the county to make sure everyone feels safe and they are working around the clock on this case.

PIKETON, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's attorney general is touring the four homes where eight people from one family were shot dead in a rural part of the state.

Seven adults and a 16-year-old boy were found dead Friday at four properties in the hills near Piketon. Investigators have interviewed more than 50 people but haven't made arrests or confirmed a specific motive for the slayings.

Attorney General Mike DeWine was in a group of law enforcement vehicles that headed up a winding road toward some of the properties Wednesday morning. He had been at the scenes last week, but a spokeswoman said DeWine planned this time to go inside each home.

A coroner says seven of the eight victims were shot multiple times, and one had nine gunshot wounds. Some victims also had bruising.

LUCASVILLE, Ohio (AP) - The brother of some of the eight family members found shot last week in rural southern Ohio says five victims will be buried side by side in a nearby town.

Seven adults and 16-year-old boy were found dead Friday at four properties near Piketon. Investigators have interviewed more than 50 people in the case but have made no arrests.

Tony Rhoden says his 73-year-old mother has been holding the grieving family together.

Rhoden lost two brothers, his former sister-in-law and a cousin in the slayings. He says the victims also included a teenage nephew who had just earned a driver's license, a 19-year-old niece who worked at a nursing home and had a days-old newborn, and a 20-year-old nephew who loved to hunt and fish.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The preliminary autopsy results have been released in murders of eight family members in Pike County.

The eight victims killed were transported to the Hamilton County Coroner's Office on April 23.

The ages of the victims ranged from 16 to 44 years old and included three females and five males.

According to the Hamilton County Coroners Office, all eight had fatal gunshot wounds to the body including the head, torso and extremities.

There was one victim with a single gunshot wound, one victim with two gunshot wounds, two victims with three gunshot wounds, one victim with four gunshot wounds, two victims with five gunshot wounds and one with nine gunshot wounds.

In addition to the autopsy results, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader have released the following new information Tuesday regarding the investigation:

Sixty-one additional items of evidence have been sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) crime laboratory for DNA, ballistics, latent print, and trace analysis. These items are in addition to the 18 high-priority items submitted for testing previously, for a total of 79 pieces of evidence.

According to a news release, additional search warrants were served Monday in connection with the investigation, however the number of search warrants and locations are not being released at this time.

Since Friday, more than 300 tips have been received by both BCI and the Pike County Sheriff's Office, all of which are being investigated.

To date, more than 215 law enforcement officials have contributed to the investigation.

Authorities continue to request that those with information call 855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or 740-947-2111.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- All eight autopsies have been completed for the family of eight that was murdered, execution-style in Pike County, Ohio.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader say the autopsies were completed Monday.

According to the Attorney General, search warrants have not yet been filed with the court.

Officials say roadblocks leading to the crime scene will remain in place until the scenes are released by law enforcement.

A memorial fund has been set up to help the family at Fifth Third Bank.

Donations to the Rhoden Memorial Fund can be made at any Fifth Third Bank.

No arrests have been made in connection with the murders and a motive hasn't been released.

Anyone with any information is still being asked to call 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio prosecutor says investigators found what appeared to be several hundred marijuana plants at some of the homes where eight relatives were found shot to death last week.

Pike County Prosecutor Rob Junk tells the Columbus Dispatch some of the plants were found indoors. But he adds: "It wasn't just somebody sitting pots in the window."

Authorities are trying to determine who killed the eight family members at four homes in rural southern Ohio on Friday. They have refused to discuss many details of the crime.

They also haven't said whether the marijuana might have had anything to do with the deaths.

Attorney General Mike DeWine has described the killings near the small community of Piketon as "a sophisticated operation." Seven adults and one teenage boy were found shot in the head; three young children were not harmed.

Marijuana seizures are common in Pike County, where authorities said a 2012 seizure could be connected to a Mexican drug cartel.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Investigators, a town, and a congregation are all trying to come to terms with the execution style killings of eight members of the Rhoden family in Pike County, Ohio.

“You know you just want to take their hearts and hold them in your arms,” says Tessa Swayne who knew the family from church at Union Hill Church. “Because you know they're broken and probably right now they're still in shock. They've gotta be."

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine held a press conference Sunday afternoon with Pike County Sheriff, Charles Reader to give an update on the investigation. DeWine says they are not releasing anything on a motive or suspects but says dozens of interviews and tips have come in.

“We have received over a hundred tips, and conducted between 50 to 60 interviews. Those interviews are continuing as we speak there have been over 100 personnel involved in this investigation,” DeWine said during the press conference.

Sheriff Reader is telling the public that the act was a targeted and planned attack but if anyone feels uneasy they should arm themselves.

“I can tell you if you are fearful, arm yourself,” Reader said. “If you feel the need that you need to protect yourself or family, do so and contact the local law enforcement to respond to it."

DeWine says three marijuana growing operations were found at the scenes and though the scenes have been worked, they are still being secured. Investigators are also combing the wooded areas near the scenes to see if there is anything to help in the case.

Keep clicking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this developing story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The eight execution-style murders of a family in Pike County, Ohio have been determined to be premeditated.

During a press conference today, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader provided additional details about the investigation thus far.

According to Sheriff Reader, the investigation will be a very lengthy process. Teams from The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction will return to the four crime scenes and search for additional evidence in wooded areas.

DeWine says investigators found marijuana grow sites in three locations at the various crime scenes.

Investigators say they have received hundreds of tips, conducted more than 60 interviews, and executed five search warrants. They are investigating 18 pieces of evidence.

Sheriff Reader also advised the family or anyone else who feels threatened to arm themselves.

No arrests have been made.

Seven autopsies have been performed. The eighth is expected to be finished tomorrow.

Keep clicking WSAZ Mobile and wsaz.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader will provide an update on the status of the ongoing homicide investigation in Pike County, Ohio Sunday afternoon.

A press conference is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Village of Piketon Government Center.

Eight people, including a teenager, were all killed execution-style in four separate locations Friday in the Peebles area of Pike County, Ohio near the Adams County line Friday.

The victims were 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

• Kenneth Rhoden, 44

We will have a crew at the press conference.

Keep checking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- An act of violence that has shaken the small community of Piketon in Pike County, Ohio is leaving many in disbelief.

Eight people, including a teenager, were all killed execution-style in four separate locations Friday in the Peebles area of Pike County, Ohio near the Adams County line Friday.

Retired teacher, Matthew Minter, taught one of the victims, Christopher Rhoden Jr. and he tells WSAZ this is something you don't see in this part of the country.

"It's quite shocking," says Minter. "We've seen this happen in other parts of the country…it's kind of surprising to have something like that happen in your own backyard."

Minter describes the area as a place where people can leave their doors locked at night. "Normally its pretty quiet. It's just like any place you get your little arguments or people out drinking too much and you have to call the law on them and things like that. Nothing like this usually."

Minter says he believes the town will go back to normal but it will take some time, "Until they find out who and why and what I think that is the big question now is what happened where we go from there--if it's an internal family thing that's one thing, if it's someone from the outside coming in then that's totally different thing to have to deal with."

A $25,000 reward has been offered by Cincinnati businessman, Jeff Ruby, for any information that leads to an arrest of those responsible.

If you have any information about the case you are asked to call 1-855-BCI-OHIO.

Keep clicking WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this developing story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The names and dates of birth for the eight victims killed in execution-style murders in Pike County, Ohio Friday have been released. The names are as follows:

• Hannah Gilley, DOB 02/28/1996

• Christopher Rhoden, Sr., DOB 09/17/1975

• Christopher Rhoden, Jr., DOB 11/04/1999

• Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, DOB 08/10/1995

• Dana Rhoden, DOB 08/29/1978

• Gary Rhoden, DOB 12/19/1977

• Hanna Rhoden, DOB 04/07/1997

• Kenneth Rhoden, DOB 03/30/1972

The bodies of the victims have been transferred to the Hamilton County Coroner's Office. The same pathologist will perform all of the autopsies. Due to the number of victims, this process is expected to last throughout the weekend.

Additionally, the Ohio Attorney General and Pike County Sheriff say that work at each of the crime scenes has been completed.

Evidence is being processed at BCI labs.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A $25,000 reward is now being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any person(s) responsible for the execution-style murders of eight people in Pike County Ohio Friday.

According to a news release, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine spoke with Cincinnati-area businessman Jeff Ruby, who is offering the reward.

The victims were found Friday at four different locations. They had all been shot in the head, many while sleeping, according to investigators.

The victim's first names have not been released, but investigators say they are all members of the Rhoden family.

On Saturday, Kimberly Newman, a member with the Ohio Crisis Response Team read a statement on behalf of the Rhoden family, saying in part:

"The Rhoden family would like to thank everyone for all the outpouring of prayers and support for their family. They ask that you continue to keep them in your prayers. They want to thank all law enforcement from Pike County and all surrounding counties for their immediate response.

They'd like to thank the Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine his staff, BCI agents, all EMS services and first responders. Special thanks to Pike County Victim Advocate David Dickerson and to the victim advocates responding to surrounding counties. They ask that everyone be respectful of their family at their loss at this time. They also have a plea to anyone who has any information in this matter to call 1-855-BCI-OHIO."

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call 1-855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111.

Keep clicking on WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story as updates become available.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Investigators are still looking for answers after eight people were found shot to death, execution style, in Pike County, Ohio.

The victims were found Friday at four different locations. They had all been shot in the head, many while sleeping, according to investigators.

The victims first names have not been release, but investigators say they are all members of the Rhoden family.

Three children, ages 4 days, 6 months and 3 years were found alive.

According to a press release Saturday morning, Ohio BCI and local law enforcement worked through the night, talking to individuals, gathering information and executing search warrants.

Investigators say evidence gathered from the multiple crime scenes will be analyzed throughout the weekend.

They say the investigation is still in the early stages.

No arrests have been made and no suspects have been named.

At this point, investigators say none of the victims have been found with self-inflicted gunshot wounds and at this point, they believe the suspect or suspects may be on the loose. They are to be considered armed and very dangerous.

Residents in the area are warned to be cautious.

We have a crew at the scene.

Keep clicking on WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ/AP) -- More than 30 people have been interviewed Friday in connection with the shootings that left eight family members dead in rural Pike County, Sheriff Charles Reader said in a Friday night news conference.

Meanwhile, he says authorities have not found any other crime scenes.

Members of the Rhoden family were gathered at a local church to grieve and be briefed by investigators.

The sheriff says it could be Saturday or possibly later until the investigations are complete at the crime scenes.

Reader, along with state Attorney General Mike DeWine, briefed reporters Friday night in Piketon, a town near where the eight people were killed.

DeWine reiterated there's no specific threat to the community. He says the seven adults and a teenage boy who were killed had been targeted. Each victim was shot in the head. A 4-day-old baby and two other small children survived.

DeWine says it's still unknown how many killers were involved.

Meanwhile, authorities are urging the public to call with any information about the slayings of eight people in southern Ohio.

DeWine and Reader said Friday that they are in the early stages of their investigations covering four crime scenes.

The whereabouts of the shooter or shooters aren't clear, and authorities are warning relatives and residents to take precautions.

Authorities say there are no indications that any of the victims had died by suicide. The victims were identified as members of the Rhoden family.

Seven adults and one 16-year-old boy were the victims.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich says the killings of eight members of a family in his state are "a terrible, terrible thing."

Authorities say some of the members of the Rhoden family were shot dead while they were sleeping. The killings have left rural Pike County reeling. A days-old baby and two other youngsters survived the slayings.

Kasich was in Connecticut on Friday for his Republican presidential campaign. He says "when people like that die and people bleed, we all do, all over the country." He says authorities will catch the killers and bring them to justice.

Reader says if the shooter or shooters are at large they should be considered armed and "extremely dangerous."

The FBI is not involved with the investigation at this time but is on standby, according to Reader.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- "I'm still actively looking for a shooter." That was the word from Pike County Ohio Sheriff Charles S. Reader Friday afternoon.

Eight people were found shot to death, execution-style, with gunshot wounds to the head Friday.

Attorney General Mike Dewine says it appears the shooting happened overnight. "It is frightening. It's just heartbreaking," he said.

AG Dewine says some of the victims were found in bed, including a woman, who was found in bed with her 4-day-old baby. The baby was alive. "It's just hard to believe," he said.

The initial call came in just before 8 a.m. Friday, according to Sheriff Reader, regarding two bloody males, who were possibly deceased at a home on Union Hill Road.

Sheriff Reader says while deputies were heading to the scene, they were flagged down and told about two other possible scenes, where they found more victims.

A total of seven victims were found dead at those three locations.

During the investigation, they received another call about another property on Left Fork, where another man was found dead.

Investigators say three of the properties are within a mile of each other and the fourth location is within 10 minutes from the other scenes.

A total of eight people were shot and killed. Seven adults and one 16-year-old boy were the victims.

Sheriff Reader says the victims have not been identified at this time, but are members of the Rhoden family.

Sheriff Reader says there were three survivors in the shooting. Three children were found at the scenes. Their ages are four days, six months, and three years.

At this time, no one is in custody.

"I want to urge everyone to be under the understanding that there is a strong possibility that any of the individuals involved in this are to be considered armed and extremely dangerous," Reader said.

AG Dewine says there is no indication that any of these victims appeared to have committed suicide, so they are still looking for a suspect in the case.

"We advise the residents of Pike County certainly not to panic, but certainly also to be careful. The family involved, we are advising the family members to be very careful and take particular caution," said AG Dewine. He says there is no indication how many shooters there may be.

Sheriff Reader says officers are reaching out to family members to check and make sure they are safe. He says they can go to his office for a safe place to stay.

"This is very early. I cannot confirm there is no one still on the loose that may involved in this. If they are, they will be armed and dangerous. We are very early in this. We have multiple crime scenes. Very horrific crime scenes. I am not going to rule out the fact that we do not have someone or someones who is out there armed and dangerous," Sheriff Reader says.

"If there is someone involved and we do not have them in a scene, which we don't know yet because we are in the early stages of it, I am telling you, they are armed and dangerous if they are still alive," Sheriff Reader emphasized.

Several law enforcement agencies are on scene, including investigators from Adams, Jackson, and Ross County sheriff's departments, Ohio BCI, the Pike County Prosecutor's Office, and Pike County Children's Services.

AG Dewine says Governor John Kasich has been briefed on the latest in the case.

Investigators say this is a very active crime scene and they will be on scene for an extended period of time.

"This is not something that is very uncommon. This is something that doesn't happen everyday. This is something that we don't prepare for," Sheriff Reader said.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says at least eight people are dead in an execution-style shooting in Pike County, Ohio.

In a radio interview Friday afternoon, AG DeWine says at this point, it is possible the suspect is among the deceased, but due to the fact that everyone was killed execution style, it is looking like that is not true.

The AG's Office says they received a call from the Pike County Sheriff's Office asking for assistance around 8:20 a.m. Friday.

That was after several people were found dead on Union Hill Road.

Initial reports Friday afternoon were that five adults and two children were found at three different crime scenes on Union Hill Road.

A short time later, DeWine said an 8th body was found at a 4th location.

"I've never seen anything like this," Dewine said. "This is a horrible tragedy."

Specific names have not been released, but AG Dewine says the family name is Rhoden.

DeWine says two teenagers were among the deceased.

He also says there were two babies that were alive and taken from the home.

The AG says since there is the possibility that the gunman is on the loose, family members should be on high alert. He says if you are a family member or close to them, you should be cautious.

More information is expected to be released in the next couple of hours.

We have multiple crews on the scene.

Keep clicking on WSAZ mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Ohio Attorney General's Office and Pike County Sheriff's Office says at least seven people are dead in what appears to be execution-style killings.

Investigators say all of the victims are believed to be family members.

They were found at three homes on Union Hill Road in Piketon.

According to a press release, the victims are five adults and two children.

They were all shot to death.

Investigators say this is not an active shooter situation. However, no arrests have been made.

The AG's Office says authorities are still investigating to determine a motive, identify the deceased and determine if the gunman is among the deceased, or on the loose.

We have a crew at the scene.

Keep clicking on WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The Pike County, Ohio Sheriff is expected to release information soon in a shooting, where seven people were killed.

The shooting happened on Union Hill Road, off Ohio 32.

Pastor Phil Fulton of Union Hill Church says the shooting victims are family members.

WCMH reports victims were found dead at three scenes.

Pastor Fulton says family members lived in three trailers on what he called a "family compound."

Peebles High School was on lockdown Friday morning, but that was reportedly lifted around 11 a.m.

At this time, there is no word on a suspect in the case.

Investigators from Adams, Pike, and Ross counties, as well as the Ohio BCI are on scene.

We have a crew on scene.

Keep clicking on WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Seven people are reportedly dead at three crime scenes in Pike County, Ohio, according to NBC affiliate WCMH.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office says the victims were shot at a home on Union Hill Road, off Ohio 32 at the Pike/Adams line.

Aerial video shows officers and several cruisers lined up outside a home, taped off by crime scene tape.

WLWT in Cincinnati reports Peebles High School is on lockdown.

We have a crew headed to the scene.

Keep clicking on WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ/AP) -- The Ohio Attorney General's Office says several people have been shot and killed in Pike County, Ohio.

The shootings happened at a home on Union Hill Road east of Peebles.

We have a crew headed to the scene.

Keep clicking on WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Several people are reportedly dead at a home in Pike County, Ohio.

WLWT, the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, reports Ohio BCI says "we are sending everybody" to the scene.

The spokesperson with Ohio BCI reportedly said several people were found dead at a home on Union Hill Road east of Peebles.

No other information has been released.

We have a crew headed to the scene.

Keep clicking on WSAZ Mobile and WSAZ.com for the latest on this story.