Villisca Axe Murder House

Villisca Axe Murder House Welcome to the Official Villisca Axe Murder House Page! During the weeks that followed, life in this small town changed drastically. Bloodhounds were brought in.
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Almost 97 years ago, long before serial killers and mass murders had become a way of life, two adults and 6 children were found brutally murdered in their beds in the small mid-western town of Villisca, Iowa. As residents of this small town reinforced locks, openly carried weapons and huddled together while sleeping, newspaper reporters and private detectives flooded the streets. Accusations, rumo

rs and suspicion ran rampant among friends and families. Law enforcement agencies from neighboring counties and states joined forces. Hundreds of interviews filled thousands of pages. And yet, the murders remained unsolved, the murderer unpunished.

Another suspect in the Villisca Axe Murders was Henry Lee Moore—despite sharing the same last name, he was not related t...
06/25/2026

Another suspect in the Villisca Axe Murders was Henry Lee Moore—despite sharing the same last name, he was not related to Josiah Moore.

In 1913, federal investigator M.W. McClaughry theorized that the Villisca murders were part of a larger series of axe killings that had terrorized the Midwest.

His primary suspect was Henry Lee Moore, a drifter with a criminal record, an obsession with murder cases, and a history of troubling behavior dating back to childhood.

McClaughry linked Moore to several eerily similar family murders committed across Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa between 1911 and 1912.

Entire families were attacked in their beds with an axe, often under circumstances that closely resembled what happened in Villisca.

The theory gained even more attention after Moore murdered his own mother and grandmother with an axe in 1912.

He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but investigators were never able to prove he committed any of the other crimes.

Do you think Henry Lee Moore was responsible for the Villisca Axe Murders and the string of similar killings across the Midwest?

Let us know in the comments as we continue our look at the primary suspects in this infamous unsolved case. 🔍

On this Father’s Day, we remember Josiah Moore, a man known in Villisca for his hard work, ambition, and deep devotion t...
06/21/2026

On this Father’s Day, we remember Josiah Moore, a man known in Villisca for his hard work, ambition, and deep devotion to his family.

After long days building a life for his household, he was most often found where he felt most fulfilled—at home with his children.

Today, his role as a father remains part of his enduring legacy.

Among the many theories surrounding the Villisca Axe Murders, one name appears again and again: Reverend George Kelly.Bo...
06/19/2026

Among the many theories surrounding the Villisca Axe Murders, one name appears again and again: Reverend George Kelly.

Born in London, England, in 1878, Kelly immigrated to America in 1904. He struggled with mental illness throughout his life, spending time in hospitals before becoming a traveling Presbyterian minister.

On June 9, 1912, Kelly attended the same Children's Day service as the Moore family. He spent the night in Villisca, staying across from the church, but boarded the 5 a.m. train out of town before the murders were discovered.

Witnesses later recalled him discussing the crime before news had spread, saying there were "eight souls" left in Villisca and expressing sympathy for the killer.

Investigators also learned that Kelly had sent bloodstained clothing to a cleaner. Five years later, he was arrested and confessed to the murders during questioning, only to later recant.

Despite the confession, many dismissed his statements due to his history of mental illness. Others doubted that a man standing just 5'2" and weighing 120 pounds could have carried out such a brutal crime.

Kelly became the only person ever tried for the Villisca Axe Murders, but he was ultimately acquitted. No one was ever convicted.

💭 Do you think Reverend Kelly was the killer?

Follow along over the next few weeks as we take a closer look at other primary suspects in the case and examine the evidence surrounding each one. 🔍

As news of the murders spread through Villisca, the crime scene quickly became overwhelmed by neighbors and curious onlo...
06/17/2026

As news of the murders spread through Villisca, the crime scene quickly became overwhelmed by neighbors and curious onlookers.

Townspeople immediately swarmed the Moore home. Many were pushing and shoving, some trying to enter through windows to see if what they heard was true.

Women, knowing Sarah Moore’s tidy reputation, began scrubbing blood from the walls, while men passed the axe around.

It is believed that some even took skull fragments with them before being ushered out.

Do you think the case could have been solved if key evidence hadn’t been touched? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇

On June 12, 1912, the town of Villisca stopped.Three days after the murders, thousands of people came for the funeral, f...
06/12/2026

On June 12, 1912, the town of Villisca stopped.

Three days after the murders, thousands of people came for the funeral, far more than the small town could hold on its own.

A joint service was held, a long procession moved through the streets, and the eight victims were laid to rest at the Villisca Cemetery.

The person who committed the crime was never found.

But the people who were lost were carried out by a whole community that loved them. That's the part worth remembering.

06/11/2026

UPDATE: The house is back open and operating during normal business hours.

⚠️The Villisca Axe Murder House is currently closed due to the tornado that affected the area and the ongoing power outage throughout Villisca.

The safety of our guests, staff, and community comes first. Please stay safe, and we will post updates as conditions improve.

On June 10, 1912, a tragedy unfolded inside the Moore home in Villisca, Iowa, forever changing the community.Today marks...
06/10/2026

On June 10, 1912, a tragedy unfolded inside the Moore home in Villisca, Iowa, forever changing the community.

Today marks 114 years since the discovery that shocked Villisca and became one of America's most haunting unsolved mysteries.

Today, we honor the memory of the eight lives lost:
Josiah Moore, 43
Sarah Moore, 39
Herman Moore, 11
Katherine Moore, 10
Boyd Moore, 7
Paul Moore, 5
Lena Stillinger, 12
Ina Stillinger, 8

By preserving the Moore home, we keep their stories alive and provide a place for reflection, education, and historical preservation.

More than a century later, their names are still remembered, even as questions about the crime remain unanswered.

06/09/2026

On this day 114 years ago, (June 9, 1912), the Moore family walked three blocks from their home to the Presbyterian Church in Villisca, Iowa.

They were attending the annual Children’s Day program, a joyful event marking the end of the school year.

Sarah Moore helped organize the evening and played piano as the children sang hymns and recited Bible verses.

Two young sisters, Lena and Ina Stillinger, had come to stay the night after joining the Moore children at the program.

That night, as the family and their guests slept peacefully, they were attacked with an axe by an unknown assailant.

By morning, all eight were dead. No one was ever convicted.

Over a century later, the case remains one of the most haunting unsolved crimes in American history.

Today, we honor the memory of Josiah, Sarah, Herman, Katherine, Arthur, Paul, Lena, and Ina.

May they Rest in Peace.

The Villisca Axe Murder House stands preserved as a historic site, keeping their story alive through remembrance and education.

To our Villisca community: we have huge news!A new chapter begins in Kansas. US Ghost Adventures is proud to expand our ...
06/02/2026

To our Villisca community: we have huge news!

A new chapter begins in Kansas. US Ghost Adventures is proud to expand our Midwestern footprint as the official new stewards of the historic, 135-year-old McInteer Villa at 1301 Kansas Avenue.

Much like the Axe Murder House, our primary mission is to protect and preserve these historic landmarks so their stories are told accurately for generations to come.

We are honored to work alongside Stephanie O’Reilly to carry this 135-year-old Kansas landmark into its next chapter.

Here is what you can expect at the McInteer Villa:
✨Overnight Stays: Accessible room rentals for anyone wanting to experience the mansion.
📜Historical Tours: Dive into stories of frontier grit and the McInteer family.
👻Ghost Hunts: Interactive evening hunts with pro equipment for the bold and curious.

🗓️New Experiences: A new gift shop, ghost tours of Atchison, and year-round special events!

Immediate upgrades are underway to restore the Villa to its Gilded Age glory, and we are uncovering incredible lost stories along the way.

Be sure to follow The 1889 McInteer Villa to stay updated! What new offerings are you most excited to try? Drop it in the comments! 👇

Stepping into June reminds us of the profound responsibility of historical preservation. The Villisca Axe Murder House s...
06/01/2026

Stepping into June reminds us of the profound responsibility of historical preservation.

The Villisca Axe Murder House stands today as a tangible link to a tragic night that happened on a regular June evening gone very wrong.

As the 114th anniversary of the murders approaches, we honor the memory of the Moore and Stillinger families by preserving their stories and treating this historic site with the dignity and kindness it deserves.

May they never be forgotten as we continue our historic preservation effort and endless care for the Villisca home.

We will also be sharing updates on the neighboring Mary Peckham House, where restoration efforts continue to protect another important piece of local history.

Address

508 E 2nd Street
Villisca, IA
50864

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 10pm
Tuesday 10am - 10pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 11pm
Saturday 10am - 11pm
Sunday 10am - 11pm

Telephone

+17122505122

Website

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