Stuff You Should Know

SYSK’s Fall True Crime Playlist: Who Committed the 1912 Villisca Ax Murders?

September 26, 2025

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  • The 1912 Villisca ax murders involved the brutal killing of eight people, including six children, in Villisca, Iowa, with the perpetrator using the blunt side of the axe first before methodically caving in the victims' heads with the sharp side. 
  • The initial investigation was severely compromised by the immediate influx of over 100 townspeople into the crime scene, leading to the complete loss of forensic evidence, including the removal of skull fragments by a town drunk. 
  • The episode explores two primary suspects: local prominent figure F.F. Jones, motivated by a business rivalry and an alleged affair between Joe Moore and Jones's daughter-in-law, and George Kelly, a traveling preacher and known sexual deviant who was in town at the time and was the only person ever tried for the murders (though he was acquitted). 

Segments

Introduction to Villisca Axe Murders
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(00:01:06)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode focuses on the horrific 1912 axe murders in Villisca, Iowa, involving eight victims.
  • Summary: The hosts introduce the topic of the horrific axe murders in Iowa in 1912, noting the mystery surrounding the perpetrator’s identity. They also discuss the town’s name pronunciation and its association with the crime.
Details of the Brutal Murders
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(00:08:34)
  • Key Takeaway: The killer used the blunt end of the axe first, then methodically used the sharp end to cave in the heads of all eight victims.
  • Summary: The segment details the timeline of the murders, noting the killer used Joe Moore’s axe and a dimmed oil lamp. The victims were killed in their sleep, followed by the bizarre ritual of bashing their faces in post-mortem.
Bizarre Post-Mortem Rituals and Discovery
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(00:13:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The killer covered all mirrors and victims’ faces, and bizarrely left a slab of bacon on the floor.
  • Summary: The discussion covers the killer covering mirrors and faces, leaving behind strange clues like bacon. The discovery was made by a neighbor at 5 a.m., leading to immediate contamination of the crime scene by townspeople.
Suspect F.F. Jones Ruled Out
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(00:22:02)
  • Key Takeaway: State Senator F.F. Jones was a prime suspect due to business rivalry and a rumored affair involving his daughter-in-law, but he was ultimately exonerated.
  • Summary: The first suspect discussed is F.F. Jones, whose conflict with victim Joe Moore provided a motive. Despite strong local suspicion, a detective’s investigation led to Jones being cleared by a grand jury.
Suspect George Kelly Acquitted
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(00:27:52)
  • Key Takeaway: George Kelly, a kinky traveling preacher, was the only person tried, but he was acquitted in his second trial.
  • Summary: The hosts examine George Kelly, a left-handed preacher whose presence in town and sexual deviancy made him suspicious, especially regarding the state of one female victim’s body. He confessed but later recanted, and was acquitted.
The Midwest Serial Killer Theory
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(00:37:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The Villisca murders share striking similarities with four other axe murders in train towns across the Midwest in 1911-1912.
  • Summary: The modern theory suggests a single serial killer was responsible for five similar crimes, noting shared details like the use of low-light oil lamps and covering mirrors. The killer was never caught.
Listener Mail and Show Wrap-up
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(00:48:19)
  • Key Takeaway: A listener successfully diagnosed their cousin’s severe gastrointestinal issues as hookworm after hearing a previous SYSK episode.
  • Summary: The hosts read an amazing listener mail story about diagnosing hookworm via the podcast. They then wrap up the episode, thank listeners, and promote resources for more information on the Villisca case.