Villisca Axe Murder House
Eight people were murdered with an axe in this small Iowa home in 1912. The case was never solved. Today, visitors report voices, moving objects, and the sounds of children in the haunted house.
The Villisca Haunting
On June 10, 1912, eight people were brutally murdered in a small Iowa home. The killer was never found. Today, the house stands as one of America’s most haunted locations, with visitors reporting encounters with the victims’ spirits.
The Murders
June 10, 1912:
- Josiah Moore family
- Two Stillinger girls
- Eight victims total
- Axe weapon
- While sleeping
The Victims
Those killed:
- Josiah Moore (43)
- Sarah Moore (39)
- Four Moore children
- Lena Stillinger (12)
- Ina Stillinger (8)
The Crime
What happened:
- Killer entered quietly
- Used family’s axe
- All killed in beds
- Mirrors covered
- Basin of water left
Never Solved
The mystery:
- Multiple suspects
- Two trials
- No conviction
- Killer unknown
- Cold case
The House Today
Current state:
- Preserved as museum
- Open for tours
- Overnight stays available
- Paranormal investigations
- Active location
Reported Phenomena
Visitors experience:
- Children’s voices
- Footsteps
- Moving objects
- Cold spots
- Apparitions
Children’s Presence
Often reported:
- Laughing
- Playing sounds
- Ball bouncing
- Figures seen
- Interacting with visitors
The Attic
Particularly active:
- Where killer waited?
- Heavy atmosphere
- Equipment malfunctions
- Voices recorded
- Intense energy
EVP Recordings
Audio evidence:
- “I killed eight”
- Children’s responses
- Multiple recordings
- Different investigators
- Consistent results
Physical Phenomena
Objects affected:
- Doors open/close
- Items move
- Lights malfunction
- Batteries drain
- Equipment fails
Paranormal Teams
Investigated by:
- Ghost Adventures
- Multiple teams
- Extensive documentation
- Evidence collected
- Active site
The Stillinger Girls
Separate spirits:
- Guest room activity
- Children’s energy
- Reportedly seen
- Friendly presence
- Tragic victims
Significance
Site of unsolved mass murder with documented paranormal activity reported by hundreds of visitors.
Legacy
The Villisca Axe Murder House combines true crime horror with paranormal activity, creating one of America’s most notorious haunted locations.