News

Unsolved and haunted: Villisca Axe Murders explored at East Hills Library

By Rebecca Evans

Published August 19, 2025 2:41 pm

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The East Hills Library will host a special presentation at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, exploring one of America’s most chilling unsolved crimes, the Villisca Axe Murders of 1912.

**The exterior of the Villisca Axe Murders house, courtesy of murderhouse.com**

The event will be led by paranormal investigator Becky Ray, who will guide attendees through the grim and mysterious history surrounding the infamous Iowa murders.

The brutal killings of eight people inside a quiet family home over a century ago shocked the small town of Villisca, Iowa, and the case has remained unsolved ever since.

**Six of the eight victims from the murders in 1912, courtesy of murderhouse.com**

Ray, known for her work investigating paranormal phenomena, will delve into the many theories surrounding the case and examine reports of ghostly encounters tied to the Villisca Axe Murder House. Often cited as one of the most haunted locations in the Midwest, the home has been the subject of intense interest from both historians and paranormal researchers.

**Inside the attic of the house, courtesy of murderhouse.com**

Titled The Villisca Axe Murders of 1912: Unsolved and Haunted, the presentation is free and open to the public, though intended for adults ages 18 and older due to the disturbing nature of the topic.

The event will be held at the East Hills Library, located at 502 Woodbine Road.

Attendees requiring accommodations are encouraged to contact the library’s ADA coordinator at 816-232-4038.