Villisca Axe Murder House

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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, rumors 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.

10/20/2026

Herman, Katherine, Boyd, and Paul Moore were sleeping in this room when the events of June 9, 1912 happened in Villisca.

More than a century later, we continue to remember the lives lost here and preserve their story.

If you’ve visited the house, what stood out to you most about this room?

10/15/2026

Every room in the Villisca Axe Murder House holds a connection to the events of June 1912.

Josiah and Sarah Moore’s bedroom is believed to be where the attacks began, making it a significant space in understanding the crime scene and the investigation that followed.

If you've visited the house, what stood out to you the most about this space?

In the aftermath of the 1912 Villisca axe murders, suspicion fell on transients and strangers who may have been passing ...
10/14/2026

In the aftermath of the 1912 Villisca axe murders, suspicion fell on transients and strangers who may have been passing through town at the time.

One individual who drew attention was Andy Sawyer, a Burlington Railroad worker whose employer reported his unusual behavior to the sheriff.

Sawyer was reportedly fascinated by the case and slept with his work axe in hand. Coworkers also described violent outbursts and an apparent knowledge of the crime scene.

Despite the suspicions, Sawyer was reportedly ruled out after records indicated he had been arrested for vagrancy in Osceola, Iowa, on the night of the murders.

No known photographs of Andy Sawyer currently exist.

Who do you believe was responsible for the murders? 💭

10/13/2026

🎙️ Episode 1 of Mysterium is here! Dive into The Lizzie Borden House Murders Story: Part 1. 🪓

🎧 Watch it on our YouTube channel (link below 👇) or stream it on your favorite podcast platforms.

Join us as we explore the history, details, and unanswered questions surrounding one of America’s most infamous true crime cases. 🔍

👀 Stay tuned for Part 2, coming October 27, as our journey into America's Most Haunted House continues.

From haunted history and strange legends to unexplained events and fascinating stories from near and far, this is just the beginning of Mysterium.

💬 What should we investigate next? Comment which mysteries, locations, or true crime stories you’d like us to explore!

10/12/2026

🎙️ Welcome to Mysterium. Where History Leaves Its Echoes.

Recorded live inside America's Most Haunted House—the legendary Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts—Mysterium takes you beyond the headlines and into the stories that continue to captivate us more than a century later.

Join Ryk McIntyre, Megan Alves, Shelley Dziedzic, and a growing lineup of historians, authors, researchers, special guests, and fascinating personalities as they explore the weird, the haunted, and the unexplained through the lens of history, folklore, tragedy, and enduring mystery.

From the Lizzie Borden murders and the Salem Witch Trials to forgotten legends, haunted places, strange events, and stories that still leave more questions than answers... every episode invites you deeper into the places where history refuses to stay buried.

Whether you're a lifelong history buff, fascinated by unsolved mysteries, or simply love a great story told by people who genuinely enjoy exploring them, welcome to the world of Mysterium.

🎧 Streaming Begins Tomorrow, October 13th

➡️ Watch on YouTube
🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts - Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
📲 Or listen anytime in the FREE Ghost Daddy app (Coming Soon)

History leaves its echoes for those who are willing to listen... Come hear them on Mysterium - Link below. 👇

10/12/2026

What is Mysterium…? 🕯️

Get ready to enter the world of Mysterium, broadcasting from inside America’s Most Haunted House, the Lizzie Borden House. 👻🪓

The mystery awaits...

10/10/2026

🎃 Looking for Halloween weekend plans? 🎃

McInteer Villa and US Ghost Adventures are bringing 31 Hours of Halloween with Michael Myers to Atchison, Kansas, on October 30–31!

Featuring Brad Loree, who portrayed Michael Myers in Halloween: Resurrection, this special event combines horror, history, and haunted experiences inside one of Kansas’ most historic mansions.

Starting at 9:30 PM on Halloween Eve, the festivities continue through Halloween and into the early hours of Sunday morning.

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://bit.ly/4hRxLk3

Here's what you can experience:
🔹 Historic McInteer Villa house tours
🔹 Q&As with Brad Loree
🔹 Autographs and photo opportunities
🔹 Halloween Night ghost hunts with Brad Loree
🔹 A late-night basement ghost hunt after midnight

Make McInteer Villa part of your Halloween plans for a weekend of horror, history, and hauntings! 🎃🔪👻

10/08/2026

On the evening of June 9, 1912, Ina and Lena Stillinger attended the annual Children’s Day Program at Villisca’s Presbyterian Church with the Moore family.

Afterward, Mary Katherine Moore invited the sisters to spend the night at their home. They stayed in this downstairs bedroom, where they were discovered the following morning.

Their identities were confirmed by their names written in Bibles on the nightstand. The mirrors had been covered with sheets, and an axe was found leaning against the wall.

Have you experienced anything unusual in this room? Share your experiences in the comments. 👇

Fall has officially made its way to Villisca. October is here and the pumpkins are out. 🍂If you’ve been thinking about ...
10/01/2026

Fall has officially made its way to Villisca. October is here and the pumpkins are out. 🍂

If you’ve been thinking about visiting, there’s no better time. Book a tour or overnight experience 👉 https://bit.ly/3QTXwUj

The Villisca Axe Murders have inspired decades of research, theories, and historical investigation. One book that examin...
09/25/2026

The Villisca Axe Murders have inspired decades of research, theories, and historical investigation.

One book that examines the case is "The Man from the Train," by Bill and Rachel McCarthy James.

Have you read it? If so, what did you think of the theory presented in the book?

Tell us in the comments and share your perspective on the events of June 10, 1912. 💭

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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