Up and Vanished Weekly

Episode: MURDERED: Josiah Moore Family
Release Date: November 5, 2025
Host: Maggie Freleng
Produced by: Tenderfoot TV
Special Guests: Kate Winkler Dawson & Paul Holes (Buried Bones podcast)

Episode Overview

This episode of Up and Vanished Weekly revisits one of the most haunting unsolved murder cases in American history—the 1912 Villisca Axe Murders in Iowa. Host Maggie Freleng meticulously recounts the circumstances surrounding the brutal killing of the Josiah Moore family and two visiting friends, then interviews true crime experts Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes (hosts of Buried Bones) to discuss the challenges and nuances of investigating historic crimes in the light of modern forensic science. The conversation explores parallels in crime-solving across eras, the evolution of forensic techniques, ethical storytelling, and victim-centered reporting in true crime.

The Villisca Axe Murders: What Happened?

(00:00–13:12)

• Setting the Scene: The murders occurred on June 10, 1912, in Villisca, Iowa. The entire Moore family—Josiah (JB), Sarah, and their four children—along with two overnight guests (the Stillinger sisters), were found bludgeoned to death in their home.
• Discovery:
  • Mary Peckham, the family’s neighbor, noticed the family hadn’t begun their usual morning routine.
  • Mary alerted JB’s brother Ross, who entered the house and stumbled upon the gruesome scene.
  • Authorities and neighbors flocked to the scene, contaminating critical evidence.
  • “At 9am the county coroner, Dr. Lindquist, arrived at the Moore residence. He was appalled to find members of the community freely inspecting the crime scene.” (06:45, Narration)
• Crime Details:
  • Victims were killed by blunt force trauma from JB’s coal axe, which was left at the scene.
  • The killer covered all mirrors, draped sheets over bodies, and blocked windows.
  • No evidence of robbery; JB’s wallet with cash was found intact.
  • Investigators speculated the killer hid in the house, evidenced by cigarette butts found in the attic and hay impressions in the barn.
  • Lack of forensic technology prevented deeper analysis: “Crime scene management and forensics back then were not like they are now. In fact, they were virtually non-existent.” (09:12, Maggie Freleng)

Key Quotes:

• “Children bludgeoned in their beds. The case took over national headlines just two months following the sinking of the Titanic and during a time when a string of axe murders were sweeping the country.” (01:54, Maggie Freleng)

The Main Suspects and Theories

(10:26–12:33)

• Frank Jones & William Mansfield: Rumors of Jones hiring Mansfield, who was linked to similar murders, but Mansfield was cleared with an alibi.
• Rev. George Kelly: Eccentric preacher attended church service the night before; suspected due to odd behavior, dropping off a bloody shirt, but was never convicted.
• Serial Killer Theory: Some believe the Villisca murders were part of a broader pattern of axe murders across the Midwest.

“…all theories are still on the table, especially because this case is over 100 years old.” (12:33, Maggie Freleng)

Interview: Revisiting Historic Crimes with Kate Winkler Dawson & Paul Holes

(14:21–39:52)

Introducing the Guests

• Kate Winkler Dawson: Author, historian, and true crime journalist; co-host of Buried Bones.
• Paul Holes: Retired cold case investigator, instrumental in solving the Golden State Killer case, co-host of Buried Bones.

Origins and Chemistry of Buried Bones

• Kate reached out to Paul after discovering they independently worked on the same historic case (18:28).
• They attribute their podcast’s dynamic to natural chemistry and well-defined roles: Kate, the storyteller/historian; Paul, the forensic analyst and behavioral expert (18:36–19:27).

Challenges in Investigating Historical Cases

• Lack of Evidence:
  “For me, it’s the lack of documentation... pictures are always important. And, of course, with cases that we do... probably greater than 50% of the cases, they really don’t have that.” (20:34, Paul Holes)
• Reliance on Circumstance and Expertise:
  “It’s circumstantial evidence, relationships, associations, geographic aspects… as an investigator, I pay attention to [these], just as if it’s a case that happened yesterday.” (21:40, Paul Holes)
• Selecting Cases:
  “…there have been probably seven or eight cases where I’ve told the researchers, this is a great case, and they’ll come back to me and go, there’s just, there’s not enough reliable stuff. It probably would be for other shows, but just not for us.” (27:18, Kate Winkler Dawson)

Why Investigate the Distant Past?

• Victim-Forward Storytelling:
  • “If we don’t know enough about the victims, then we’re going to have to kill the story. Because otherwise they’re just props and that’s not what we want.” (29:22, Kate Winkler Dawson)
• Learning from History:
  • Paul aims to evaluate if justice was served—or to identify cases where new technology could help.
  • Kate emphasizes understanding motivations of both victims and perpetrators in their social context.
  • “Let’s take it back, let’s take a step back and understand why people do what they do. Victims and the killers.” (30:24, Kate Winkler Dawson)

Advances in Forensic Science

(32:28–38:19)

• DNA and Genealogy:
  • “Genealogy has proved to be revolutionary, and I’m very proud of what my team did in order to actually launch that [with the Golden State Killer].” (15:53, Paul Holes)
  • “Othram is doing…improving that technology and now…they are truly turning it into a technology to be able to work with the most difficult forensic samples…” (33:36, Paul Holes)
• What’s Next?
  • AI is expected to streamline the building of family trees in genetic genealogy.
  • “I do think that we will see AI...further enhance the actual genealogy side.” (37:36, Paul Holes)
  • Traditional methods like fingerprints and ballistic evidence remain important and are still improving (36:33).

Limits of Technology

• Not all cases will ever be solved:
  • “There is no such thing as the perfect crime, but there is such a thing that it’s an unsolvable crime.” (38:25, Paul Holes)
  • E.g., shootings with no close contact or reliable witnesses may remain impossible to prosecute.

Dangers of Crime Fixation

(34:11)

• “The fear is...in the true crime space, the consumers aren’t going to truly appreciate the reality...somebody got hurt, somebody lost their life... never glorify the bad guy.” (34:11, Paul Holes)

Most Desired Cases to Solve

(31:41)

• Paul: Long unresolved cases from his career; the Zodiac case (Bay Area connection).
• Kate: The Black Dahlia, due to the extreme brutality and lingering mystery.

Final Thoughts & Legacy of the Villisca House

(40:00–41:27)

• Despite never closing the case, the community—and true crime investigators—continue to probe its mysteries.
• The Moore house is now open as a museum and even offers overnight stays for those seeking to connect with history.

“While it’s possible we may never know the identity of the Villisca Axe murderer, we now have the ability to go back and learn from other unsolved crimes from the past.” (40:00, Maggie Freleng)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Case Overview – 01:54–05:43
• Crime Scene & Investigation – 05:43–10:26
• Suspects & Theories – 10:26–12:33
• Impact on Town & Lead-in to Interview – 12:33–13:12
• Interview: Buried Bones Hosts – 14:21–39:52
  • Backgrounds – 14:36–15:45
  • Forensic advances in historic cases – 16:31–22:19
  • Story selection, victim focus, and technology – 22:19–32:44
  • AI/future of forensics – 37:20–38:19
• Conclusions/Legacy – 40:00–41:27

Notable Quotes

• “Crime is so consistent over time—why people kill hasn’t changed, even if the weapons and circumstances have.” — Kate Winkler Dawson [17:10]
• “Genealogy has proved to be revolutionary, and I’m very proud of what my team did in order to actually launch that.” — Paul Holes [15:53]
• “It’s okay to enjoy consuming true crime, but just remember, somebody got hurt, somebody lost their life... never glorify the bad guy.” — Paul Holes [34:11]
• “If we don’t know enough about the victims, then we’re going to have to kill the story. Because otherwise they’re just props and that’s not what we want.” — Kate Winkler Dawson [29:22]
• “There is no such thing as the perfect crime, but there is such a thing that it’s an unsolvable crime.” — Paul Holes [38:25]

Summary

This episode of Up and Vanished Weekly provides a compelling historical retelling and thoughtful analysis of the Villisca Axe Murders. Through expert interviews, the show explores why understanding the past—with all its investigative limitations—remains crucial in the evolving field of forensic science, and advocates for a sensitive, victim-centered approach to storytelling in true crime media. The enduring resonance of the Villisca case and its place in American criminal lore are underscored by new perspectives and the hope that someday, technology may close even the coldest of cases.