Up and Vanished Weekly

Episode Preview: Unsolved Axe Murders
Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Maggie Freleng
Production: Tenderfoot TV

Main Theme

This episode preview introduces listeners to the chilling, unsolved 1912 Villisca axe murders, a notorious case that rattled a small Iowa town and captivated the nation. Host Maggie Freleng teases the episode’s immersive storytelling and investigative intent, setting the stage for a deep dive into a century-old massacre and its enduring mystery. The segment aims to intrigue true crime enthusiasts by blending historical narrative and investigative curiosity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Morning Discovery: June 10, 1912

• Setting the Scene:
  Maggie Freleng anchors listeners in Villisca, Iowa, on a regular Monday, grounding the narrative in a "tight knit community" (00:16).

• The Moore Family’s Absence:

  • Mary Peckham, the neighbor, notices something off:

    "After a few moments, she notices the absence of her neighbors, the often boisterous Moore family." (00:20)

  • This contrasts the family’s normal morning routine—feeding animals and preparing for school—heightening the sense of unease.

Increasing Anxiety and Community Response

• Mary’s Growing Worry:

  • By 7 am, Mary senses trouble after seeing no sign of the Moores.
  • She attempts to look through windows (all curtains drawn) and tries locked doors—both front and back.

• The Alarming Discovery:

  • At 8:15 am, Mary notifies JB’s brother, Ross, who arrives with a key (00:38).
  • Ross enters the house, noting:

    "Downstairs he notices a sheet covering what appears to be someone asleep in bed. Suddenly, Ross is overcome by a strong stench of blood and copper." (00:41)

  • The grim image of a "lifeless hand of a child protruding from the sheet" (00:44) is a chilling detail that cements the gravity of the crime.

• Calling in the Authorities:

  • Ross urgently shouts to Mary to call for the town marshal, Hank Horton (00:46).

Shocking Aftermath and Cultural Impact

• Marshal’s Arrival:
  • Sometime before 9 am, Marshal Horton and a crowd of locals arrive at the scene.

    "The unimaginable scene they would discover inside the home sends shockwaves throughout and beyond the small community, instantly taking over the front pages of newspapers across the country." (00:50)

  • This underscores how the gruesome crime reverberated far beyond Villisca.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Descriptive Realism:
  • “Ross is overcome by a strong stench of blood and copper.” — Narration by Maggie (00:41)
• Critical Moment:
  • “He glances down to the side of the bed and sees what appears to be the lifeless hand of a child protruding from the sheet.” — Narration by Maggie (00:44)
• Community Response:
  • “The unimaginable scene they would discover inside the home sends shockwaves throughout and beyond the small community, instantly taking over the front pages of newspapers across the country.” — Narration by Maggie (00:50)

Important Timestamps

• 00:16 — Setting the scene: Mary Peckham’s morning and concern.
• 00:38 — Ross arrives and enters the Moore household.
• 00:41-00:44 — Discovery of the bodies; chilling sensory details.
• 00:46 — Ross tells Mary to call the marshal.
• 00:50 — Community and national reaction.

Episode Tone & Style

Maggie Freleng’s narration is both empathetic and vivid, providing historical context and immersing listeners in the eerie events of June 1912. The preview employs atmospheric storytelling to evoke the tension and sorrow of the day, preparing listeners for a thoughtful and investigative episode.

Summary

This preview skillfully sets the stage for a detailed re-examination of the Villisca axe murders, drawing listeners in with evocative storytelling and a sense of profound mystery. By walking through the morning’s chronology and sharing the immediate, visceral reactions of those involved, the show promises to unravel a case that still haunts true crime history.