Rhoden cousin's death under investigation 2 years after family massacre

LATHAM - A body found in the woods in Pike County Monday has been identified as a relative of the Rhoden family slain more than two years ago.

Violet Rhoden Taylor, 35, was pronounced dead at 10:01 a.m. Monday after her body was found on Lapperell Road near Stewart Hollow Road, according to the Pike County Coroner's Office. Her body was sent to Montgomery County for an autopsy.

Officials are tight-lipped about Taylor's death which remains under investigation with the state's crime bureau at the helm.

Where Violet Rhoden Taylor was found

"On Monday, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office requested that BCI’s Crime Scene Unit and Special Investigations Unit respond to the 2500 block of Lapperell Road where the body of a woman was found in the nearby woods. This is currently being investigated by BCI as a questioned death and it is under investigation as to whether or not any foul play was involved," Attorney General Spokeswoman Jill DelGreco said via email.

Due to the ongoing investigation, DelGreco declined comment on any evidence collected at the scene. A request made by the Chillicothe Gazette for the initial report from the Pike County Sheriff's Office is pending.

Background on the 2016 Rhoden family murders

Another spokesman, Dan Tierney, said the request is separate from the ongoing investigation into the murders of Taylor's family members and he could not comment on whether or not there is any connection between the two investigations.

Taylor was a cousin to the Rhodens and the sister of Josh Rhoden who was arrested on drug charges in January 2017 but never indicted.

The Pike County slayings occurred in the early morning hours of April 22, 2016, in three trailer homes on Union Hill Road and at another scene on Left Fork Road.

Killed in what authorities have called a methodical, targeted attack on the family were: Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; his ex-wife Dana Rhoden, 37; their children Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden, 20, Hanna Rhoden, 19, and Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16; Christopher Rhoden Sr.'s brother Kenneth Rhoden, 44; a cousin, Gary Rhoden, 38; and Hannah Gilley, 20, the fiancee of Frankie Rhoden.

Officials continue to say the investigation is "very active and ongoing," but decline to confirm or deny individual investigative activities.

Anyone with information related to the case can call Southern Ohio Crime Stoppers at 740-773-TIPS. Anonymous tips are still being taken at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446) or the Pike County Sheriff's Office at 740-947-2111.

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