
Des Moines Register
It’s the start of a true American crime story. Eight victims, six being children, slaughtered during a warm summer night. As they slept, an unknown killer stalked the halls of their small home in Villisca, Iowa, committing a crime that would stun the country.
It’s a story of murder, a manhunt, trials, suspects, but yet, still remains unsolved. And while the house in Villisca stands frozen in 1912, so too do some of the victims, unable to move on into the afterlife. Within the walls of this house lies a horrifying secret, one that has since vanished—all of the witnesses were killed and the suspects are surely deceased.
This small house in Villisca has taken on a life of its own, representing our fascination with true crime and the paranormal. Amongst the fascination and dread has come a name for this house, lacking ambiguity and creativity. But it’s a stark reminder of exactly what happened and is aptly known as the Villisca Axe Murder House.
What Happened at the House in Villisca, Iowa?

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The quaint little house on the corner of East 2nd Street and South 6th Avenue was built in 1868 by a fellow named George Loomis. By all accounts, he either lived out his days comfortably or has some history which isn’t exactly relevant to our story today. Anyway, the Moore family eventually ended up in the home. Josiah and Sarah Moore were the parents of four kids: Herman (11), Katherine (10), Boyd (7), and Paul (5). A businessman and active church worker, Josiah and his family were known in the town of Villisca.
Our scene is set for the tragic night in June 1912. The family of six were asleep, as were two of the children’s friends, 12-year old Lena Stillinger, and 8-year old Ina Stillinger. By morning, all would be dead, bludgeoned by an axe. A neighbor discovered the bodies the next day and that was it—a case for a serial murderer had begun.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library via Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
While the crime shocked the small town and prompted a manhunt, at the scene, police were stumped by several strange details. The murder weapon was found leaning up against a wall accompanied by a four-pound slab of bacon next to it, and all of the glass doors and mirrors had been covered with clothing.
A local reverend, Lyn George Jacklin Kelly, was ultimately the prime suspect, claiming some divine intervention as his motive. He took his confession back, was tried twice by jury, and ultimately was acquitted. Over the years, suspects have come about, most notably a German drifter named Paul Mueller. A history of similar crimes and evidence—like the covered mirrors—have sparked immense intrigued.
Despite this, no one else has ever been charged.
Villisca Axe Murder House Hauntings

Villisca Axe Murder House
Say what you want about the paranormal, but there was some seriously dark sh*t that occurred at this house. There’s really two emerging theories about the hauntings of the Villisca Axe Murder House. First, many believe the spirits of the murdered family members are stuck where they met an unfortunate and unfair fate. This idea makes the most sense if we’re being honest. Others believe that the house serves as a portal for malevolent entities given the horror and dark energy that surrounds the house.
Regardless of what you believe, countless visitors over the years have reported strange occurrences like unexplained noises, eerie sensations, apparitions, and objects moving on their own. Of course, ghost hunting gear, like EMF meters and cameras, were probably employed. One of the more common reports is the sound of children crying, a terrifying reminder that six of the eight victims were under the age of 12. Other reports include sightings of shadowy figures and orbs, overwhelming feelings of unease and dread, and the smell of blood. (The last one is particularly disturbing given the nature of the gore that would have been present.)
What’s up With the Villisca Axe Murder House Today?

Des Moines Register
The house still stands in the same spot as it did in 1912. It’s since undergone restoration but holds the character of what it’s always been. If you’re brave enough to enter, you can tour the house during the day and experience the horrifying history of the space. If you’re even more brave, you can spend the night, truly immersing yourself in the haunted history of the house.
Truth is, the Villisca Axe Murder House is a popular tourist destination, possibly up there with the Lizzie Borden House. History buffs and paranormal enthusiasts want a glimpse of a real American horror icon, and shows like The Dead Files have further brought this haunted home into our conscious. While the house may seem like a paranormal playground, it is still a site of an unsolved and profoundly gruesome murder, one that claimed the lives of eight people. The shock of this crime may have left the town of Villisca, but the history of this haunted site remains stronger than ever.