Villisca, Iowa
Early 1900s Midwestern Town, [Around 2500 People]
Josiah Moore (One of Villisca's most prominent businessmen), his wife Sarah, and his 4 children: Herman (11), Katherine (10), Boyd (7), & Paul (5).
Lena (12) & Ina (8)
Whoever committed the murder left some bizarre touches to the scene:
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- 4lb slab of bacon wrapped in cloth next to the axe
- the murderer seemed to search through all dresser drawers for clothing to cover all mirrors in the house as well as windows (including the glass in the entryway door)
- on the table was a plate of uneaten food & a bowl of bloody water
- all victims were covered in sheets
- gauge marks on the ceiling are believed to be from the upswing of the axe.
- a kerosene lamp was found at the foot of the parents bed; a similar lamp was found where the neighbor girls has slept as well
- Lena had a bloodstain on her knee and arm that seemed to be defensive wounds which lead investigators to believe that she was the only one to see her killer alive. Everyone else seemed to be asleep.
- one of Sarah's shoes were found on Josiah's side of the bed on its side; there was blood in the shoe as well as underneath it