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New documentary examines life in Pike County, Ohio beyond the Rhoden family murders

People cheer on outdoor bleachers on a sunny evening.
"This is Pike County"
A still from "This is Pike County" directed by Laura Paglin. The documentary follows life in rural Piketon as they face mounting pressures, including an unsolved family murder.

Pike County is located in southern Ohio.

Known for its beautiful landscape and industrial history, the county was struck with tragedy in 2016 when eight members of the Rhoden family were murdered.

The investigation into the murders took more than two years, spanning across counties and states, eventually leading to the arrest of four members of the Wagner family.

When Laura Paglin, a documentary filmmaker, went to Pike County, she found much more than just the murders that shook the community. She found a place that had been ignored for decades.

In her documentary, "This is Pike County," Paglin displays the hardships Pike County is enduring, ranging from the national drug epidemic to anatomic waste due to a plant and nuclear site to the upcoming construction of an energy plant and possibly the nation's largest data center.

Paglin uncovers a community that has been overlooked, but fights every day to keep their friends and loved ones safe in the county where they grew up.

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