Cincinnati's Crime Vault | Beyond the Broadcast

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 detectives in several different directions, including to Indiana to look into a possible connection to the highly publicized Delphi murders. They're also pursuing potential breaks in the case using a DNA profile.

This is the first of two episodes covering this case.

In Season Two of Cincinnati's Crime Vault Beyond the Broadcast, Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt breaks down the disturbing case, learns about the lives of Bill and Peggy Stephenson, and digs into the latest leads in the investigation

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning news series on FOX19 Now. This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. A team of journalists led by Jessica Schmidt will break down the assignment, the interviews, and the facts discovered as they work on each case. 

Original TV Crime Vault on the Stephensons

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 the 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 2022 and sentenced to life in prison. 

Billy has maintained his innocence and is expected to go on trial this year. This is an update to where that stands now. 

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning true crime news series on FOX 19 Now hosted by Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt.  This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. 

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 Reiter and her friend, Melvira, were in a car together when they stopped at a park along OH-128 in St. Clair Township to talk moments before Reiter was killed.

This is Season Two of Cincinnati's Crime Vault Beyond the Broadcast. Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt follows the new leads and speaks to family members as the search for the killer continues in the murder of Georg Ann Reiter.

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning news series on FOX 19 Now.  This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. A team of journalists led by Jessica Schmidt will break down the assignment, the interviews, and the facts discovered as they work on each case. 

TV Version of This Story

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 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 may have killed a total four young women. 

This is Season Two of Cincinnati's Crime Vault Beyond the Broadcast. Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt breaks down the case, learns about the victims, explains what led investigators to Ralph Howell, and why they now call him Ohio's Newest Serial Killer.

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning news series on FOX 19 Now.  This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. A team of journalists led by Jessica Schmidt will break down the assignment, the interviews, and the facts discovered as they work on each case. 

TV Story on Ralph Howell

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 second victim Howell is believed to have killed, Nancy Theobald. 

In Season Two of Cincinnati's Crime Vault Beyond the Broadcast, Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt breaks down the case, learns about the victims, and explains what led investigators to Ralph Howell and why they now call him Ohio's Newest Serial Killer.

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning news series on FOX 19 Now. This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. A team of journalists led by Jessica Schmidt will break down the assignment, the interviews, and the facts discovered as they work on each case. 

Original TV Crime Vault on Nancy Theobald

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.

However, police believe Howell is responsible for the deaths of four young women. 

In Season two of Cincinnati's Crime Vault Beyond the Broadcast, Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt breaks down the case, learns about the victims, and explains what led investigators to Ralph Howell and why they now call him Ohio's Newest Serial Killer.

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning news series on FOX 19 Now.  This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. A team of journalists led by Jessica Schmidt will break down the assignment, the interviews, and the facts discovered as they work on each case. 

TV Story on Ralph Howell

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 four young women. 

In Season two of Cincinnati's Crime Vault Beyond the Broadcast, Investigative Reporter and TV News Anchor Jessica Schmidt breaks down the case, learns about the victims, explains what led investigators to Ralph Howell and why they now call him Ohio's Newest Serial Killer.

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning news series on FOX 19 Now.  This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. A team of journalists led by Jessica Schmidt will break down the assignment, the interviews, and the facts discovered as they work on each case. 

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-one with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, as he speaks about the case and scope of the investigation.

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 investigation ever. 

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning true crime news series on FOX 19 Now.  This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. 

TV Coverage of George Wagner's Sentencing

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, what it was like to be in a newsroom trying to plan extended coverage of the jury's decision. The trial of George Wagner IV took months, but the jury needed only one day to determine George Wagner IV is guilty. 

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 investigation ever. 

Cincinnati's Crime Vault is an award-winning true crime news series on FOX 19 Now.  This audio podcast will take the stories featured in the news beyond the broadcast. 

TV Coverage of Guilty Verdict

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