On the night of June 9, 1912, six members of the Moore family and two guests were brutally murdered with an axe. It wasn't until the morning of June 10, 1912 that they were found in their home by a neighbor and Ross Moore, the brother of Josiah Moore. Over time, many possible suspects emerged. George Kelly was tried twice for the murder. The first ended in a hung jury, while the second trial ended in an acquittal. Other suspects in the investigation were also exonerated. It remains unsolved.
Many believers in the paranormal would doubtless accept that such a dreadful and violent act would render the house haunted. Phenomena that have been reported include the apparition of a man holding an ax and dark shadows; cold spots; disembodied voices, crying and laughter; an "unbearable feeling of sadness"; doors open and close of their own accord and objects move. Some amateur investigators claim to have been physically attacked by an invisible prescence.
Pictured left is the Villisca Axe Murder House.