The Villisca Axe Murders: Iowa's Enduring Mystery 2024-11-02

The Villisca Axe Murders of 1912 remain one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in Iowa's history. On June 10, 1912, six members of the Moore family and two of their guests were found bludgeoned to death with an axe in their residence in the small town of Villisca. A lengthy investigation took place, and several suspects were brought forward, including Reverend George Kelly, who was tried twice but ultimately acquitted. The murders remain unsolved to this day, leaving a haunting mystery that has captivated the state and the nation.

Kidnapping

The Disappearance of Johnny Gosch: Iowa's Missing Paperboy 2024-11-02

The abduction of Johnny Gosch in 1982 is another chilling case that has gripped Iowa and the nation. On a seemingly normal September morning, the 12-year-old paperboy disappeared while delivering the Sunday Des Moines Register. Witnesses reported seeing a blue Ford Fairmont approaching Johnny, but no one saw him taken into the vehicle. Despite an extensive search, no trace of Johnny has ever been found. A few years later, another paperboy from the Des Moines Metro, 13-year-old Eugene Martin, also went missing and has never been located. Noreen Gosch, Johnny's mother, has continued to search for answers and has written a book and participated in a documentary about the case.

Murder

The Tragic Fate of Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook 2024-11-02

The abduction and murder of Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook in 2012 is another tragic case that has haunted Iowa. The two young girls were riding their bikes in the eastern Iowa town of Evansdale when they went missing near Myers Lake. After an extensive search, their bodies were eventually found in a remote wildlife area in Bremer County, but no arrests have been made in the case. While no official suspect has been named, several theories are circulating online about the perpetrator of this heinous crime. The disappearance and murder of these two girls have left a lasting impact on the community and the state.