In the second installment of our deep dive into the Midwest Axe Murders of the 1910s, we continue to tell the story of the most infamous case among the string of unsolved and possibly linked cases; Villisca, Iowa.

The first half of this episode is a monologue covering the earliest suspects in the immediate aftermath of the killings, the sensational accusations brought forth by private detective James Wilkerson, and the deeply unsettling story of Reverend George Jacklin Kelly, whose bizarre behavior and shocking confession would put him at the center of the case.

In the second half of the episode, I’m joined by my good friend Lance Eysink as we discuss the details covered in the episode’s monologue.

Lance, who works for the Pleasantville, Iowa Police Department, has been intrigued by the Villisca case since 2017.

Drawing on his experience in law enforcement, he shares his theory on who he believes committed the crime and explains the reasoning behind his conclusion.

This is Nights End, Shades Drawn, Dawns Reckoning.

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Monologue Background Music (In order of songs played):

• ​“Checked In” by Jay Varton
• ​“Are You Still Looking” by CO.AG Music
• ​“Letting Go” (Ambient Track) by CO.AG Music
• ​“Galway” by Marten Moses
• ​“Sociopath” by Lucas King
• ​“Who Will Save My Soul” by CO.AG Music
• ​“Sub Twin” by Jay Varton
• ​“Darkest Child” by Kevin MacLeod
• ​“Return to the Scene of the Crime” by CO.AG Music
• ​“Letting Go” (Slowed+Reverb) by CO.AG Music
• ​“Each Day is Your Last” by CO.AG Music
• ​“Anxious” by Duncan Pittock

On June 10, 1912, the quiet town of Villisca, Iowa awoke to a scene of unimaginable horror: eight people—including six members of the Moore family and two young houseguests—were found brutally murdered in their beds. Over a century later, the case remains unsolved.

In the first half of this episode, we walk through the events of that night in a detailed, immersive monologue. In the second half, I’m joined by Dr. Ed Epperly, the foremost authority on the Villisca case, for an in-depth discussion about the facts, the theories, and why this crime still haunts American true crime history.

This is Nights End, Shades Drawn, Dawn’s Reckoning.

Links to purchase a copy of Ed Epperly's book:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fiend-Incarnate-Villisca-Murders-1912/dp/B09M4T7VF5

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Monologue Background Music (In Order of Songs Played:)

• Lightless Dawn by Kevin Macleod

• Letting Go (Ambient Track) by CO.AG Music

• The Rake by CO.AG Music

• Are You Still Looking by CO.AG Music

• Case Files 1 by CO.AG Music

• Each Day Is Your Last by CO.AG Music

• Anxious by Pittock