The Ruthless Villisca Axe Murders: An Entire Family destroyed

Sometime during the evening of June 10, 1912 or early morning hours on June 11, 1912 in the city of Villisca in southwestern Iowa a family of six and two house guests were brutally murdered with an axe. Though there has been many suspects over the years, even a couple trials, this gruesome case remains unsolved. This is the true story of the horrific Villisca Axe Murders.

The members of the Moore family include parents Josiah (43) and Sarah (39), along with their four children Herman (11), Mary Katherine (10), Arthur (7), and Paul (5).

Josiah and Sarah Moore with two of their children.

The other two guests were sisters Ina Mae (8) and Lena Gertrude Stillinger (12) who were invited by Mary Katherine Moore so spend the night at the Moore home.

On the evening of June 10, 1912, the Moore family along with the Stillinger sisters went to a church event which ended at 9:30 pm. Sarah Moore was co-director of this program called “The Children’s Day Service,” in which the Moore children performed in. Afterwards, everyone walked home, the journey being only three blocks long, and arrived between 9:45 and 10 pm. The family then enjoyed milk and cookies together before going to bed for the night.

Lyda Southard: Killer of Husbands and Escapee of Jail

Lyda Southard was born as Lyda Anna Mae Trueblood on October 16, 1892 in Keytesville, Missouri, about 60 miles Northeast of Kansas City. She is known by many names including “Flypaper Lyda,” “The Black Widow,” and Anna E. Shaw. She is also known as being one of America’s first known female serial killers.

Lyda Southard

She killed four husbands, a brother-in-law, and daughter. What could be the motive for doing such a thing? How did she get the nickname “Flypaper Lyda”? Read on to find out…