Villisca Axe Murder House – Haunted Historic Home in Villisca, Iowa

The Villisca Axe Murder House stands as one of America’s most infamous unsolved murder cases. This seemingly ordinary white clapboard house witnessed a horrific crime that shocked the nation in 1912. Eight people were brutally killed with an axe in the dead of night. The murders remain unsolved to this day despite extensive investigations.

Located in the small town of Villisca, Iowa, this residence attracts paranormal enthusiasts from around the world. The house sits just a short drive from Council Bluffs, Nebraska, making it accessible to regional ghost hunters. Visitors report overwhelming feelings of dread and numerous supernatural encounters. The property has been featured on countless paranormal television programs and documentaries.

The tragedy that occurred here left an indelible mark on the community and the property itself. Many believe the souls of the victims still linger within these walls. Their violent deaths seem to have created a portal for paranormal activity. The house serves as both a memorial and a chilling reminder of evil.

Historical Background

The modest two-story home was built in 1868 by Iowa state senator George Loomis. The structure served as a family residence for several decades before the Moore family moved in. Josiah and Sarah Moore purchased the house with their four children in the early 1900s. The family was well-respected in the small farming community of Villisca.

On June 9, 1912, the Moore family attended a church service at the Presbyterian Church. They returned home around 9:45 PM with two overnight guests, Lena and Ina Stillinger. All eight people went to bed that night without knowing the horror that awaited them. By morning, every single person in the house would be dead.

The bodies were discovered on the morning of June 10 by neighbors concerned about the family’s absence. Mary Peckham noticed the Moore house remained unusually quiet past the normal morning routine. She tried the door and found it locked from the inside. Her brother-in-law eventually entered through an unlocked window and discovered the gruesome scene.

The victims included Josiah Moore, age 43, and his wife Sarah, age 39. Their four children were Herman, 11, Katherine, 10, Boyd, 7, and Paul, 5. The Stillinger sisters were Lena, age 12, and Ina, age 8. All eight had been bludgeoned to death with an axe while they slept.

Each victim suffered massive head trauma from multiple blows with the blunt end of an axe. The killer covered the faces of the victims with bedclothes after the murders. Mirrors throughout the house were also covered with fabric. These bizarre details suggested ritual or psychological motives that investigators could never explain.

Multiple suspects were investigated over the years including traveling preacher Reverend George Kelly. Kelly was tried twice for the murders but never convicted. Another suspect was Frank Jones, a local businessman who had a dispute with Josiah Moore. The case was never solved and remains open to this day.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Visitors to the Villisca Axe Murder House report an overwhelming sense of sadness and dread. Many people experience physical symptoms including nausea, headaches, and difficulty breathing. The oppressive atmosphere seems to intensify after dark. Some guests cannot complete their overnight stays due to the intense feelings.

Disembodied children’s voices are frequently heard throughout the house, particularly in the upstairs bedrooms. Witnesses report the sounds of laughter, crying, and whispered conversations. Objects move on their own, especially children’s toys left by investigators. Doors open and close without explanation despite being secured.

Shadow figures are commonly seen moving through rooms and hallways. These dark forms appear to be human-shaped but lack distinguishable features. They often appear in peripheral vision before vanishing when directly observed. Some shadows seem to watch visitors from doorways and corners.

The sounds of footsteps echo through the house when no living person is walking. Heavy footfalls are heard on the stairs and in the attic above. These sounds often occur in response to questions asked by investigators. The pattern suggests intelligent haunting rather than residual energy.

Cold spots manifest suddenly in various rooms despite consistent temperatures elsewhere. These frigid areas move and shift as if something invisible passes through. Electronic equipment frequently malfunctions including cameras, recorders, and flashlights. Batteries drain completely within minutes of entering certain rooms.

The smell of burning bacon and cigarette smoke appears without source. This detail is particularly chilling because witnesses reported similar smells on the morning of the murders. The killer apparently made breakfast while the bodies lay upstairs. This signature scent manifests most strongly in the kitchen area.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The spirits of the Moore children are believed to be the most active entities. Investigators often bring toys and place them in specific locations to document movement. These items are frequently found in different positions or rooms entirely. The ghosts seem to enjoy interacting with balls, dolls, and other period-appropriate playthings.

One particularly compelling story involves a paranormal researcher who asked the children’s spirits to play. She placed a small ball on the floor of the children’s bedroom. Throughout the night, the ball rolled across the floor multiple times on camera. No natural explanation could account for the movement on the level surface.

The ghost of Sarah Moore has been reported in the master bedroom and kitchen. Witnesses describe feeling a maternal presence watching over the house. Some visitors report seeing a woman in a long white nightgown. Her appearance matches descriptions of Sarah’s bedclothes from the night of the murders.

Several overnight guests have reported being physically touched by unseen hands. One woman felt someone sit on the edge of her bed in the darkness. When she opened her eyes, she saw the impression of a body on the mattress. The indentation slowly faded as if someone stood and walked away.

Josiah Moore’s spirit reportedly manifests as a protective energy in the downstairs parlor. Some psychics claim he is trying to solve his own murder. He appears frustrated and angry about the lack of justice. Electronic Voice Phenomena recordings have captured male voices saying “help us” and “find him.”

The Stillinger sisters’ spirits are often detected together in their assigned bedroom. Visitors report feeling watched by two distinct presences. Young girls’ laughter has been recorded in this room on multiple occasions. Some guests report seeing two small figures standing by the window.

A dark, malevolent entity is also reported throughout the house, particularly in the attic. Many believe this is the spiritual imprint of the killer himself. This presence feels aggressive and threatening to sensitive individuals. Some researchers refuse to investigate the attic due to overwhelming feelings of evil.

One investigator reported being pushed down the attic stairs by an invisible force. He had been alone on the second floor when he felt hands on his back. The aggressive shove sent him tumbling several steps before he caught himself. Other team members witnessed his sudden fall and heard no one else nearby.

Most Haunted Spot

The children’s bedroom on the second floor is considered the most paranormally active location. This room contained the bodies of four of the six child victims that horrific morning. The energy here feels particularly heavy and emotionally charged.

Investigators consistently capture the most compelling evidence in this space. Unexplained voices, temperature changes, and physical phenomena occur with remarkable frequency. Many visitors report feeling small hands touching them or tugging at their clothing.

The attic stairs leading from the second floor also generate intense paranormal activity. Many believe the killer hid in the attic before and after committing the murders. The narrow staircase feels claustrophobic and threatening to most visitors.

People ascending these stairs report being overcome with panic and fear. Some have experienced the sensation of being followed or chased. The temperature drops dramatically on the steps even during summer months.

Can You Visit?

The Villisca Axe Murder House is open to the public for tours and overnight stays. Darwin and Martha Linn purchased the property in 1994 and began offering public access. They restored the house to match its 1912 appearance as closely as possible.

Day tours are available by appointment and cost approximately twenty dollars per person. These tours last about an hour and cover the history and paranormal activity. Visitors can explore all rooms including the attic where investigators believe the killer waited.

Overnight paranormal investigations can be booked for groups interested in ghost hunting. These stays run from 8:00 PM to 6:30 AM the following morning. Rates are approximately four hundred twenty-eight dollars for groups up to six people.

Photography is permitted and encouraged throughout the house during all tours. The owners welcome paranormal investigation equipment including EMF meters and digital recorders. Many visitors capture compelling photographic evidence during their visits.

The house operates year-round though booking in advance is strongly recommended. Spring and fall months tend to be especially busy due to moderate weather. Private tours can be arranged for serious paranormal research teams.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity intensifies dramatically during overnight hours between midnight and 4:00 AM. The murders occurred during this timeframe on June 10, 1912. Many investigators believe the anniversary date of June 9-10 produces heightened supernatural phenomena.

Fall and winter months seem to generate more compelling evidence than summer. The longer darkness hours may contribute to increased spiritual activity. Cold weather also makes temperature anomalies easier to detect and document.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A firefighter from Illinois reported one of the most disturbing encounters during an overnight stay. He was lying in the downstairs guest bedroom when he felt pressure on his chest. Opening his eyes, he saw a dark shadow figure leaning over him.

The entity seemed to be choking him though no physical contact occurred. He struggled to breathe and call for help from his team members. The moment he managed to speak, the shadow vanished and normal breathing resumed.

A woman from Minnesota described hearing children running and playing upstairs during her investigation. She was alone in the house at 2:30 AM on a November night. The sounds of footsteps and giggling lasted approximately five minutes.

When she climbed the stairs to investigate, the sounds immediately stopped. She felt multiple presences watching her from the children’s bedroom. Her electromagnetic field detector registered extreme spikes in that doorway.

Paranormal researcher Johnny Houser spent over one hundred nights in the house documenting phenomena. He captured numerous audio recordings of disembodied voices responding to questions. One recording clearly states “I’m scared” in a young girl’s voice.

Houser also photographed mysterious mists and light anomalies throughout the property. He reported feeling physically ill during investigations in the attic space. His experiences convinced him that multiple spirits remain trapped in the house.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Ghost Adventures featured the Villisca Axe Murder House in a 2014 episode. Lead investigator Zak Bagans reported feeling physically attacked by a dark entity. The team captured compelling electromagnetic field readings and unexplained audio phenomena.

During filming, crew members experienced equipment malfunctions and psychological distress. Bagans himself required medical attention after the investigation due to severe scratches on his body. The episode became one of the show’s most popular and controversial.

Kindred Spirits investigated the location in 2019 for their television series. Psychic medium Chip Coffey connected with the spirits of the murdered children. He reported overwhelming sadness and confusion from the young victims.

The team documented shadow figures on their thermal imaging cameras. They also recorded children’s voices responding to questions in real time. Their evidence suggested multiple intelligent hauntings rather than residual energy.

Numerous independent paranormal research groups have documented compelling evidence over the years. Electromagnetic field detectors consistently register anomalous readings throughout the house. Digital voice recorders capture unexplained voices and sounds during controlled sessions.

Full-spectrum photography has revealed mysterious figures not visible to the naked eye. Some images show what appear to be children standing in windows and doorways. Thermal cameras detect heat signatures moving through rooms when no living person is present.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors must book tours or overnight stays in advance through the official website. Trespassing outside scheduled times is illegal and prosecuted by local law enforcement. The property is monitored by security cameras around the clock.

The house contains original 1912 flooring and stairs that can be uneven and hazardous. Visitors should exercise caution when moving through rooms in darkness. The attic stairs are particularly steep and narrow.

Some guests experience psychological distress including panic attacks and severe anxiety. The owners recommend that people with heart conditions or psychological disorders consider carefully before visiting. Medical assistance is not immediately available in this rural location.

Children under twelve are not permitted on overnight investigations due to the disturbing nature of the site. Day tours are appropriate for mature children accompanied by adults. Parents should use discretion based on their child’s sensitivity.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

The murder weapon itself, an axe belonging to Josiah Moore, was used to kill all eight victims. The axe was found in the downstairs guest room leaning against the wall. Though the original weapon is not displayed in the house, replicas placed on the property generate unusual activity.

Paranormal investigators report that these replica axes often move on their own or fall without explanation. Electronic voice phenomena recordings near the axes frequently capture aggressive or threatening voices. Some researchers refuse to handle the replicas due to overwhelming negative feelings.

The children’s beds where the young victims were murdered hold residual energy from that terrible night. Visitors lying in these beds often report nightmares and disturbing visions. Some guests experience sleep paralysis or the sensation of being held down.

One particular bed in the children’s room seems to attract the most paranormal activity. Investigators have documented indentations forming on the mattress as if someone invisible is sitting or lying there. The bed also generates cold spots that remain stationary for extended periods.

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