For over a hundred years this home in Villisca, Iowa has been the infamous scene of mass murder, still unsolved and so well known by some that the landowners have had problems with people trying to stay over and have even caught trespassers there too.
The night of June 10, 1912, saw eight persons, two adults and six children murdered asleep in their beds, with an axe. The case is widely believed to be one of the most notorious unsolved murders in America and is visited by many true crime aficionados and paranormal investigators.
The Tragic Events in Axe Murder House
The Moores. Josiah Moore, Sarah, and their children, Herman, Mary Katherine, Arthur, Paul, and two neighbor kids, Lena and Ina Stillinger. This family was very much loved not just among their friends but in the neighborhood.
The family and their guests had a joyful day and on the night of June 10, 1912, everyone went to bed. At or shortly after midnight, an intruder or intruders came into the house, using an axe that was in the house. He went from one bedroom to another, stabbing every person in their sleep. The victims had their heads covered with bedclothes and all were bludgeoned 20 to 30 times with the blunt part of the axe.
The crime scene was gruesome – there was a 4-pound slab of bacon propped against the wall by the axe, a plate of food, and a bloody bowl of tap water sitting on the kitchen table; the water in a pot on the stove was at a rapid boil. The murderer also rummaged through the chests of drawers for clothing to lay over mirrors in the home and the glass of the entry doors.
The Investigation and Legacy
A thorough investigation was done on the case of these murders but the killer was not caught. Police secured evidence that included the axe and interviewed numerous suspects but no one was ever arrested or found guilty of the crime. Countless theories and suspects have cropped up over the years, but nothing has ever been definitively proven.
Even without the resolution, the Villisca Axe Murder House has been a hot spot for tourism for many years and is visited by people all over the globe. The home is now a museum and a historical site and offers guided tours and overnight stays to allow the visitors who dare enough to sleep in the haunted premises. Visitors have reported several paranormal occurrences including mysterious noises, unexplained movements, and ghostly apparitions.
Paranormal Activity and Hauntings
The house has also been the site of numerous reports of paranormal activity, with many a visitor saying they had experienced something unusual. Some of the more prominent and commonly reported activities are whispers, footsteps, and strange noises that make no sense, along with ghostly apparitions or shadow figures. A few visitors have even reported recording evidence of the ghostly hauntings on audio and film.
A commenter wrote that taking a tour of the home was “literally heavy, creepy, and informative” because the tour guides didn’t hold back any facts or information regarding the house. One visitor felt like they were being followed throughout the tour, and even captured some male and child voices on an EMF recorder.
Visiting the Villisca Axe Murder House
The house offers several experiences for visitors, from tours during the day to overnight stays. Daytime tours cost $10 per person and overnight stays start at $428 for 1 to 6 guests, with additional guests $75 each. This tour entails a detailed walk-through of the house, including the crime scene and rooms in which the murders occurred.
The experience is said to be especially intense for those who spend the night. A lot of visitors feel a kind of intense energy in the house and some even have recordings where they say they feel ghosts. And if you are a fan of true crime, a ghost hunter, or just want a spooky experience, the Villisca Axe Murder House will not disappoint.
Conclusion
Villisca Axe Murder House One of the infamous unsolved murders of 1912 is still calling people for a visit. In the years since, the house has turned into somewhat of a sensation for fans of true crime and the supernatural, even though neither authorities nor the current occupants of the house have any resolution. If you are tired of the same old trips you have already visited numerous times or you just want to delve deep into the lore of this infamous case and maybe have a little spook so you will not soon forget the Villisca Axe Murder House is our top recommendation.