Villisca axe murders

Villisca axe murders
The house where the murders took place
LocationVillisca, Iowa, U.S.
DateJune 9–10, 1912
Late night to early morning
TargetMoore family and 2 guests
Attack type
Mass murder, home invasion
WeaponsAxe
Deaths8
Injured0
PerpetratorUnknown
MotiveUnknown

40°55′51″N 94°58′26″W / 40.9308091°N 94.9739235°W / 40.9308091; -94.9739235 The Villisca axe murders occurred between the evening and early morning of June 9–10, 1912, in the town of Villisca, Iowa, in the United States. The six members of the Moore family and two guests were found bludgeoned in the Moore residence. All eight victims, including six children, had severe head wounds from an axe. A lengthy investigation yielded several suspects, one of whom was tried twice. The first trial ended in a hung jury and the second ended in an acquittal.