The Villisca Axe Murders: Eight Victims, No Answers Pt. 1

Summary

Crime House 24/7
Episode: The Villisca Axe Murders: Eight Victims, No Answers Pt. 1
Date: July 30, 2026
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Guests: Dr. Tristan Engels (Forensic Psychologist)

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Overview of the Episode

This episode of Crime House 24/7—cross-posted from Vanessa Richardson’s other podcast, "Serial Killers and Murderous Minds"—dives into one of America’s most chilling and mysterious crimes: the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders. Eight people, all asleep in a seemingly safe Iowa small town, were brutally killed with an axe. Vanessa and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristan Engels set the stage, exploring the community’s culture, the Moore family, and the psychological effects of betrayal, routine, and shocking violence.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Town of Villisca, Iowa – Safety & Community

• Vanessa describes Villisca as a prospering, close-knit railroad town where “people there knew each other and looked out for one another. They felt safe leaving their doors unlocked at night.” (01:55)
• The arrival of outside commerce, traveling salesmen, and new businesses didn’t seem to threaten this communal trust.

The Moore Family and Small-Town Rivalries

• Joe Moore was a respected farm equipment dealer, once mentored by Frank Jones, a “wealthy businessman.” Their relationship soured when Joe became a competitor, sparking rumors and talk throughout the tight-knit town. (01:55–03:06)
• Dr. Engels contextualizes: "Rivalries like this can feel a lot bigger in small, close-knit communities than they do in larger cities. Because your customers are your neighbors and your friends… they may feel pressured to choose sides." (03:06)
• The conversation explores how gossip and confirmation bias can warp perceptions and escalate tension:
  • "Every new customer that Joe gains becomes proof he was poaching business from Frank. Or every complaint Frank makes becomes proof he's bitter and seeking revenge against Joe." (Dr. Engels, 04:23)

Community Traditions & Psychological Safety

• Vanessa details the importance of routines, family, and faith in Villisca. The Moore family are active in the church, and routines like the annual Children’s Day program both bond the community and build trust:
  • “It was the kind of evening that reinforced everything people in Villisca believed about their town. That the people there were trustworthy and their traditions kept them safe and grounded.” (06:46)
• Dr. Engels traces the psychological benefits and risks:
  • “That familiarity may have helped create that feeling of safety… The irony, though, is that familiarity can sometimes create blind spots. The safer and more predictable an environment feels, the less situationally aware we are…” (08:36)
  • On routines: "They provide structure, stability, and they can reduce anxiety. Because our brains generally function better when it knows what to expect." (09:36)

The Night of the Murders

• Sara Moore organizes the Children’s Day program on June 9, 1912; their children invite friends Lena and Ina Stillinger to spend the night. (10:29)
• Vanessa reconstructs the final hours—church, communal lingering, the walk home through a poorly lit town, and everyone settling in for bed, all “completely silent” by midnight. (11:25)
• The next morning, Mary Peckham, a neighbor, notices the Moores deviating from their routine; after concern builds, Joe’s brother Ross lets himself in and discovers the horrifying scene:
  • “The room smelled of death. Ross backed away, hurried outside, and told Mary to call the authorities. He could only say that something terrible had happened.” (12:39)

Psychological Fallout & Trauma

• Dr. Engels highlights the lingering trauma for those who discover violence first-hand:
  • “People don’t have to be direct victims of violence to experience or even develop post traumatic stress or acute stress disorders. Unexpectedly discovering a scene like this can cause someone to go into survival mode.” (13:40)
  • On Ross’ stunned reaction: “We often see people become momentarily detached like that, or even appear calmer than expected because their brain is prioritizing functioning over feeling, and the psychological impact… often comes later.” (13:40)
  • The impact isn’t just personal, but challenges all assumptions of safety and trust in the town.

Lingering Mystery & Community Trauma

• Vanessa closes the episode by emphasizing the enduring uncertainty and devastation:
  • “More than a century later, we still don’t know exactly what occurred inside the Moore house during the early morning hours of June 10, 1912. But as investigators arrived and processed the scene, they realized just how difficult it would be to serve justice and restore the community’s sense of safety. And the town of Villisca was about to be torn apart.” (15:02)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Rivalries like this can feel a lot bigger in small, close-knit communities than they do in larger cities. Because your customers are your neighbors and your friends, and your livelihood largely depends on your reputation.” — Dr. Tristan Engels (03:06)
• “Every new customer that Joe gains becomes proof he was poaching business from Frank. Or every complaint Frank makes becomes proof he's bitter and seeking revenge against Joe.” — Dr. Tristan Engels (04:23)
• “The irony, though, is that familiarity can sometimes create blind spots.” — Dr. Tristan Engels (08:36)
• "This is actually a really important reminder that people don't have to be direct victims of violence to experience or even develop post traumatic stress or acute stress disorders." — Dr. Tristan Engels (13:40)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:55 — Vanessa paints the picture of Villisca and introduces Joe Moore and his rivalry with Frank Jones.
• 03:06 — Dr. Engels explains the impact of rivalries and gossip in small communities.
• 04:17 — Confirmation bias and the spread of rumors explored.
• 06:46 — Introduction to the Moore family’s life, values, and tight quarters.
• 08:36 — Dr. Engels on the psychological comfort (and risks) of routine and community tradition.
• 11:25 — The Moores’ final evening and the circumstances of June 9, 1912.
• 12:39 — Discovery of the crime and immediate aftermath.
• 13:40 — Dr. Engels discusses psychological trauma for those first on the scene.
• 15:02 — Vanessa reflects on the lingering mystery and effects on Villisca.

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Summary

This episode lays the emotional and psychological groundwork for understanding the horror and impact of the Villisca Axe Murders—not only as a crime, but as a tragedy that shattered a town’s innocence and sense of safety. Vanessa’s careful storytelling, bolstered by Dr. Engels’ psychological perspectives, offers listeners a multidimensional view of both the human victims and the wider community that was left searching for answers.

Transcript

[Vanessa]

Hi listeners, it's Vanessa. Before today's episode, I want to tell you about another show I think you'll love. Crime House and A E are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, Carter Roy takes you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 48 hours. Listen to and follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Professor Lindsay Cormack]

This is Crime House.

[Vanessa]

Hi listeners. This afternoon I'm bringing you an episode of one of my other podcasts that I host with my friend and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristan Engels called Serial Killers and Murderous Minds. On that show, we go deep into the psychology of history's most chilling murderers. I have. We have part one of this week's episode for you now where we take a look at the Velasquez axe murders, where in 1912, eight people were bludgeoned with an axe while they slept. To hear part two, follow Serial Killers and Murderous Minds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts,

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[Vanessa]

No one ever expected terror to strike in the town of Villisca, Iowa, in 1912. Villisca was a railroad town surrounded by farmland that passed through carried livestock, produce, laborers and traveling salesmen. This daily commerce bolstered the town's population and prosperity, but Villisca maintained its neighborly spirit. People there knew each other and looked out for one another. They felt safe leaving their doors unlocked at night. That sense of safety allowed people like Josiah Moore, who went by Joe, to plant firm roots. For years, Joe had made a living selling farm equipment. He started out working under a mentor, a wealthy businessman named Frank Jones, before he opened his own John Deere dealership. Joe's business was an overnight success, but his financial freedom came at a cost. He'd become a direct competitor to his former boss and mentor. Before long A rift formed between the two men. Frank accused Joe of poaching customers. Soon, the gossip surrounding the rivalry spread like wildfire. It seemed like the bitterness between them had become personal.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Rivalries like this can feel a lot bigger in small, close knit communities than they do in larger cities. Because your customers are your neighbors and your friends, and your livelihood largely depends on your reputation. This situation with Joe and Frank, mentor turns competitor, can feel like a personal betrayal because of that. And disputes in these environments can affect the entire entire community. Because there's a higher than average likelihood that everyone knows each other in some capacity, they may feel pressured to choose sides. Rumors also tend to spread, and trust can become affected. I also think we have to remember that people don't always respond rationally to feelings of betrayal. Research consistently shows that people often react more strongly to losing something that they already had. Like, for example, in this case, customers or status or influence. If someone perceives that another person is threatening their livelihood or their existing social standing, those feelings can become incredibly emotionally charged really fast. But most of the time, that results in things like resentment or civil disputes, or just impaired personal and business relationships.

[Vanessa]

How do personal feelings and community gossip shape the stories people tell themselves about a conflict?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

So let's say Frank is your friend. You may not see then Joe as an ambitious businessman opening his own dealership. You may see him then as someone who betrayed your friend Joe, the person who helped him become successful. But if Joe is your friend, then suddenly Frank can become the jealous former boss trying to punish someone for leaving and then succeeding. And that's when confirmation bias often comes in. People start gathering evidence that supports the version they already believe, while dismissing information that contradicts it. Every new customer that Joe gains becomes proof he was poaching business from Frank. Or every complaint Frank makes becomes proof he's bitter and seeking revenge against Joe. That's also why gossip can become so harmful. Because information gets repeated, assumptions get added, and then after a while, it begins to feel like facts, even when they're not. So in small communities, conflicts, they rarely stay between just two people.

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[Vanessa]

Despite the two men's heated divide, Joe maintained a good reputation around town. By the summer of 1912, when Joe was 43 years old, people viewed him as a warm, friendly and upstanding citizen. He was also a dedicated family man and his business success allowed him to purchase a modest farmhouse for his wife, 40 year old Sarah, and their four children. The Moores were extremely tight knit. Joe and Sarah's oldest son, Herman, wanted to be just like his dad. At just 11 years old, he accompanied his father to work and even parted his hair the same way Joe did. While the two of them were at the dealership during the day, Sarah stayed home with the other three kids. Nine year old Catherine helped tend to the chickens and care for the horses, whom she adored. Meanwhile, 7 year old Boyd and 5 year old Paul kept Sarah busy. Overall, the Moores led a quaint, happy life, but they were beginning to feel a bit cramped in their house. There were only three bedrooms between all six of them, two upstairs and one downstairs. On busy days, the family flitted between bedrooms and a small parlor room while squeezing past each other on the narrow staircase. The Moores may have envisioned themselves moving into a bigger home one day, but for now they were happy. After all, just like many families in Villisca, the Moores lived closely not just with one another, but the broader community. Everyone in town was connected by their values as well as their faith, and church events brought people together several times a week, including the annual Children's Day program at the Presbyterian Church. Each year, people gathered to watch the local children perform songs and readings. It was the kind of evening that reinforced everything people in Villisca believed about their town. That the people there were trustworthy and their traditions kept them safe and grounded.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

And that familiarity may have helped create that feeling of safety. Having the same routines and surrounding yourself with the same people and attending the church and community events can help our brain associate predictability with security or safety. There's collective trust being built in that community, and traditions play an important role in that because they provide consistency and they reinforce shared identity. The Children's Day event is an example of that. It's a reminder that they were a community with collective values. The irony, though, is that familiarity can sometimes create blind spots. The safer and more predictable an environment feels, the less situationally aware we are or aware of those blind spots. Our brains learn to create predictability and safety as the same thing if we're not careful.

[Vanessa]

I'm curious. What psychological benefits can people get from routines and traditions? Do these things contribute to more than just a sense of well being, but a sense of true safety?

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

Well, I'll say that this. Routines are incredibly important for psychological health. They provide structure, stability, and they can reduce anxiety. Because our brains generally function better when it knows what to expect. For example, our sleep improves when we have a regular sleep routine. That alone helps improve emotional regulation, physical health, and overall functioning. Routines in general, from small to large, help us strengthen healthy habits like personal and social ones. They also help us establish purpose, stability and consistency, especially during periods of stress or transition. So in terms of like, having a sense of true safety, it's safety in the sense of emotional and physical well being. This is actually why I often encourage routines in my own private practice with therapy clients.

[Vanessa]

In Villisca. Church events weren't just about faith. They served as a reminder that people cared about each other, that they could depend on their neighbors. No one understood this better than Sarah Moore, who helped organize the Children's day program on June 9, 1912. Sarah and Joe's kids participated in the event alongside their classmates and friends, two sisters named Lena and Ina Stillinger. Lena was 11 years old and Ina was 9. Their family lived outside the town on a nearby farm. And when the event was over, Catherine Moore invited them to stay the night. The service ran later than usual. Once it was done, the six members of the Moore family and their two guests left the church and stepped into the warm night outside. Children played together while parents lingered along the sidewalks and church steps. A lot of the streetlights were broken at the time. So when people eventually headed home, they walked in near complete darkness. The Moores and the Stillinger girls walked several blocks past closed storefronts. Jo and Sarah strolled with the younger kids, while the older ones followed closely behind. Once inside the Moore house, the children got ready for bed. Upstairs, the four more children, Herman, Catherine, Boyd and Paul, shared one bedroom, while Joe and Sarah slept in the other two. Downstairs in the small bedroom off the parlor, Lina and Ina settled in together. By around midnight, the household was completely silent. It wasn't until the next morning that anyone in Villisca realized the true horror that had unfolded overnight. Around 7am The Moore's next door neighbor, Mary Peckham, noticed that Joe wasn't out doing his usual morning chores. He typically tended to the horses and chickens, but none of the animals had been fed. Mary thought that maybe the family was out running errands. Someone had fallen ill. But after a while, she still didn't see anyone and she grew more concerned.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

This can be an example of how routines can create a sense of safety because your neighbors pick up on what is considered your baseline and what is not. And because of that, Mary noticed that something was off, definitely.

[Vanessa]

And because of that, Mary knocked on the Moore's front door, but no one answered. She knocked again and still nothing. She started to panic and contacted Joe's brother Ross, who rushed over with a spare key. Ross didn't notice any signs of forced entry, but when he let himself in, he was immediately struck with an eerie feeling. The house was unusually still. Even though none of the furniture or other belongings seemed out of place. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. And when he pushed open the door of the small downstairs bedroom, Ross was met with the horrific truth. The shades were drawn, but even in the dim light he could make out the bedsheets pulled tight to the top of the bed and the forms of two people beneath them. The room smelled of death. Ross backed away, hurried outside, and told Mary to call the authorities. He could only say that something terrible had happened. Then he sat down on the edge of the porch, trying to take in what he'd seen.

[Dr. Tristan Engels]

This is actually a really important reminder that people don't have to be direct victims of violence to experience or even develop post traumatic stress or acute stress disorders. Unexpectedly discovering a scene like this can cause someone to go into survival mode. Their brains become focused on immediate action. And that's likely why Ross backed away, told Mary to call the authorities, and then simply sat down. We often see people become momentarily detached like that, or even appear calmer than expected because their brain is prioritizing functioning over feeling, and the psychological impact of what they just experienced often comes later. At that point, people will then experience things like intrusive memories, guilt, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, or they repeatedly replay the event in their minds, wondering if they missed warning signs or could have done something differently, even when there was nothing they realistically could have done. I also think it's important to remember the context here. This wasn't a stranger. This was Joe's brother. Both Ross and Mary are having to process a horrific discovery while also maybe even confronting any assumptions they had about their neighbors, their town, and their own sense of security. Because this was undoubtedly the very last thing that they ever imagined to find when they walked in there.

[Vanessa]

Ross couldn't understand how something so horrifying could happen to his own family. And more than a century later, we still don't know exactly what occurred inside the Moore House house during the early morning hours of June 10, 1912. But as investigators arrived and processed the scene, they realized just how difficult it would be to serve justice and restore the community's sense of safety. And the town of Villisca was about to be torn apart. Thanks for listening for Part two. Follow serial killers and murderous minds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hi listeners, it's Vanessa. Before today's episode, I want to tell you about another show I think you'll love. Crime House and A E are teaming up on the podcast version of the famous true crime series the First 48. Each week, Carter Roy takes you inside a landmark homicide case. The interrogations, the dead ends, and the breakthroughs in the critical first 48 hours. Listen to and follow the first 48 every Thursday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.