The Villisca Axe Murders House
Wikimedia CommonsThough once the scene of a bloody crime, the Villisca House is now open to the public.
On June 9, 1912, in the small town of Villisca, Iowa, someone snuck into the Moore family house with an axe. The murderer killed all eight people inside that night, including six children.
A coroner’s report the following day determined that the killer had snuck in through the unlocked back door and went straight to the bedroom of Josiah and Sarah Moore, aged 43 and 39 respectively. Based on gouges in the ceiling, the coroner determined that the killer raised the axe high and then brought it down on Josiah’s head at least 60 times.
After killing Josiah and Sarah, the killer also bludgeoned their four children plus two more children who had been staying at the house as guests — before disappearing into the night.
“Don’t go in there, boys,” one doctor warned the next day after seeing the scene. “You’ll regret it until the last day of your life.”
The grisly murder remains unsolved to this day. Though a messy investigation ensued, no one was ever convicted of the homicides.
Wikimedia CommonsAn article a few days after the murder, describing the gruesome scene.
Today, the so-called Villisca Axe Murder House is considered by some to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Visitors claim to have heard children’s voices and mysterious footsteps, as well as objects moving on their own.
The very curious — and very brave — can even spend a night at the house. Its current owners have restored it so that it looks just like it did in 1912. They’ve even added details from the night of the murder, like covering all the mirrors with sheets.
“An overnight visit to this house will make most skeptics believers come sunrise the next morning!” the Villisca Axe Murder House website exclaims.
But be warned. One paranormal investigator who spent the night at the Villisca Axe Murder House stabbed himself in the chest during the night and had to be evacuated to a nearby hospital.
