The Unsolved Villisca Ax Murders

Revisiting one of Iowa’s most shocking homicides a century later

More commonly known as the “Villisca Ax Murder House”. A local tourist attraction made famous by the homicide of the entire Moore family which occurred here on June 10th, 1912. Photo courtesy of Jason McLaren, Wikimedia Commons

The Moore Family of Villisca, Iowa

Josiah Moore and his wife Sarah, were a fortunate couple. They had a modest house at 508 E. 2nd Street in the sleepy community of Villisca, Iowa. They were well-liked and felt safe. They had four healthy, beautiful, and…