Cincinnati's Crime Vault | Beyond the Broadcast

For more than a decade, relatives of Chelsea Johnson have tirelessly fought to keep her memory alive after someone stabbed the 15-year-old to death in Fairfield, Ohio in 2012.   Now her loved ones, frustrated with a lack of justice, are giving us insight into what happened before Chelsea vanished and was later found dead.  They're also telling us more about a man who's long been considered a perso...

More than 35 years after a young mother was gunned down at work, Pierce Township Police in Ohio hope shining a spotlight on the cold case could help them solve it. Detectives have investigated the murder of 19-year-old Amy Diesman from the very beginning, sometimes getting the help of other agencies along the way. Now, one detective is opening up the case files to show us the investigation in a wh...

More than two years after one of the most notorious serial killers in United States history died in prison, the FBI is still trying to identify and find some of his victims. Several of the "Jane Does" are connected to the Greater Cincinnati area.  In Season Two of Cincinnati's Crime Vault Beyond the Broadcast, Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt breaks down what we know about...

In August 2013, a pregnant mother was gunned down while driving in Brown County, Ohio. The gunshots also struck her young daughter, who miraculously survived.  The Brittany Stykes murder case continues to gain traction on social media and is getting national publicity. There's no question those who were closest to Brittany are dedicated to her case. However, the person who killed Brittany has yet...

One of Northern Kentucky's most horrific killings remains unsolved nearly 12 years later, but the detectives working the case are leaving no stone unturned. Bill and Peggy Stephenson, a beloved couple, were discovered dead inside of their own home in May 2011. It is considered to be a complex and haunting case that's deeply impacted the community. In recent months, the investigation has led detect...

One of Northern Kentucky's most horrific killings remains unsolved nearly 12 years later, but the detectives working the case are leaving no stone unturned. Bill and Peggy Stephenson, a beloved couple, were discovered dead inside of their own home in May 2011. It is considered to be a complex and haunting case that's deeply impacted the community. In recent months, the investigation has led detect...

Billy Wagner is one of four family members accused of killing eight members of the Rhoden family in April 2016. The case has been called  t he Pike County Massacre, and it is Ohio's largest criminal homicide investigation ever.  Billy's wife Angela and son Jake have taken plea deals in the case to get the death penalty off the table for all four of them. Billy's son George IV was found guilty in 2...

Georg Ann Reiter lost her life on September 9, 1970. She was killed near Hamilton, Ohio. The investigation has new life in the last five years. The Butler County Sheriff's office assigned two new detectives to the cold case. The detectives hope it could lead to new tips and maybe bring them the big break they’ve been waiting for throughout the investigation. In this episode, detectives reveal Reit...

In November, the Hamilton County Prosecutor announced a break in a 44-year-old cold case - the sexual assault and murder of a Cincinnati college student.  This is part three of of the case. This episode focuses on other victims and one victim who got away. Jessica also interviews collegue  Courtney King who covered the case of Cheryl Thompson extensively for Fox19.  Cincinnati's Crime Vault had be...

This is part two of three episodes covering The Newest Ohio Serial Killer - Ralph Howell.  In November, the Hamilton County Prosecutor announced a break in a 44-year-old cold case - the sexual assault and murder of a Cincinnati college student.  Police believe Howell is responsible for the deaths of Cheryl Thompson and three other young women.  In this episode, our investigation introduces the sec...

In November, the Hamilton County Prosecutor announced a break in a 44-year-old cold case - the sexual assault and murder of a Cincinnati college student.  The next three episodes of Cincinnati's Crime Vault will focus on a case we have covered for years. The mysterious case of Cheryl Thompson's death was solved as investigators used new technology on decades-old evidence pointing to Howell. Howeve...

In November, the Hamilton County Prosecutor announced a break in a 44-year old cold case - the sexual assualt and murder of a Cincinnati college student.  Cincinnati's Crime Vault had been covering the mysterious case of Cheryl Thompson's death for years as the news broke that Ralph Howell was responsible. New technology used on decades old evidence indicates that Howell is responsible for a total...

A week before Christmas, George Wagner IV was given eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.  During this episode, we hear from several members of the Rhoden, Gilley, and Manley families for the first time. Plus, we share the letter written to the court by 10-year old Brentley who was found unharmed next to his parents when they were killed in 2016.  We also go one-on-on...

George Wagner IV was found guilty of all charges against him - 22 counts - including the murders of the Rhoden Family.  The jury deliberated only one day before reaching a verdict.  Jessica Schmidt breaks down the verdict, replays the closing arguments from both sides, and shares reaction from the Rhoden family to the Governor. Hear in their own words what they think of the guilty verdict.  Plus,...

George Wagner IV has been found guilty on all charges including eight counts of aggravated murder in the Pike County Massacre trial. George sat downcast and expressionless as Judge Randy Deering read the jury’s verdict on each of the 22 counts. More to come... Jessica

A shocking development on the 42nd day of testimony in the Pike County Murder Trial as George Wagner IV testified in his own defense.  Wagner is one of four of his family members accused of killing eight members of the Rhoden family in April 2016. Generations of a single family were killed in one night. The case has been called  The Pike County Massacre,  and it is Ohio's largest criminal homicide...

The months-long trial continues for George Wagner IV in the Pike County Murders. This episode features the police wiretaps, giving you the chance to hear George, Jake, and Angela Wagner after the murders.  Jessica Schmidt brings you the audio from the trial used as evidence in the case, plus she interviews courtroom reporter Mike Schell about the latest developments in the case.  In April 2016, ge...

Now it is time for Angela Wagner to testify against her son George Wagner IV in the Pike County murder trial. In 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were killed in one night. The case has been called  The Pike County Massacre, and it's Ohio's largest criminal homicide investigation ever.  George Wagner IV is on trial as one of four people accused of the murders. Angela Wagner would not allow...

Episode 10 features what everyone has been waiting for since the murder trial of George Wagner IV in Pike County, Ohio began. Jake Wagner testified against his brother.  In 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were killed in one night. The case has been called  The Pike County Massacre,  and it's Ohio's largest criminal homicide investigation ever.  George Wagner IV is on trial as one of four...

This is Episode 9 of Cincinnati's Crime Vault, and we continue to follow the murder trial of George Wagner IV in Pike County, Ohio. In 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were killed in one night. The case has been called  The Pike County Massacre,  and it's Ohio's largest criminal homicide investigation ever.  George Wagner IV is on trial as one of four people accused of the murders. In this...

In 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were killed in one night. The case has been called  The Pike County Massacre,  and it's Ohio's largest criminal homicide investigation ever.  Angela Wagner has been described by prosecutors and witnesses as the puppet master of the Wagner Family.  Wagner has entered a guilty plea for her involvement in the murders of the Rhoden family.  George Wagner IV...

In April of 2016, generations of a single family were killed in one night. The case has been called  The Pike County Massacre,  and it's Ohio's largest criminal homicide investigation ever.  George Wagner IV is on trial as one of four people accused of the murders. In this episode, we hear extensively from one of the accused. Ohio BCI interviewed Billy Wagner after the murders. The recorded interv...

Week 3 of George Wagner IV's trial brought emotional testimony and new details into the Pike County Massacre. Here is the recap with testimony from inside the courtroom. Wagner IV is one of four people accused of killing eight members of the Rhoden family in 2016. George Wagner maintains he is innocent.  In April of 2016, generations of a single family were killed in one night. The case has been c...

The trial of George Wagner IV has completed its second week. Wagner is one of four people accused of killing eight members of the Rhoden family in 2016.  George Wagner maintains he is innocent. This episode features the new stunning details about the murders, the audio from inside the courtroom, and legal analysis.   In April of 2016, generations of a single family were killed in one night. The ca...

The trial of George Wagner IV has started. Wagner is one of four people accused of killing eight members of the Rhoden family in 2016.  George Wagner says he is innocent. This episode features the audio from inside the courtroom, opening statements, and testimony with exclusive interviews. Plus, the new stunning details about the murders revealed during week one of the trial.  In April of 2016, ge...