The Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, Iowa, is famous for being one of America's most haunted places due to the brutal, unsolved murders of eight people in 1912. The paranormal claims largely center on the tragic, violent deaths that occurred there, with many visitors and investigators reporting chilling and unexplainable phenomena. On the night of June 9, 1912, the six members of the Moore family and their two young houseguests were bludgeoned to death with an axe as they slept. The murders remain unsolved, and some believe the restless spirits of the victims and possibly the killer remain trapped in the home. Visitors frequently report a dark, heavy, and oppressive energy in the house, sometimes attributing it to the presence of the murderer. The home's history is so unsettling that many people feel a sense of dread as soon as they step inside. Some visitors report feeling drained, ill, or disoriented after leaving the house, a phenomenon some call a "paranormal hangover". In 2014, a ghost hunter stabbed himself in the chest while staying overnight in the house. He later reported having no memory of the incident. With six of the victims being children, many of the ghostly stories involve them. Some paranormal enthusiasts leave toys, which are sometimes found moved by unseen forces. The sounds of children's laughter and disembodied voices are also commonly reported. Visitors have claimed to experience being physically touched or scratched by unseen forces. There are frequent reports of objects in the house moving on their own, such as balls rolling across the floor or a rocking chair moving. A closet door in one of the children's rooms is known for opening and closing by itself. Dark, shadowy apparitions are often seen in different parts of the house. Some witnesses have reportedly captured these shadows on video. The sound of footsteps on the upper floors is frequently heard, even when no one is there. Doors have been known to open and slam on their own. The attic, where the killer may have waited for the family, is a focal point of supernatural claims. People report a feeling of oppression, unsettling feelings, and the smell of cigarette smoke, which may be tied to cigarette butts found after the murder. As a train passes through the town at night, the paranormal activity is said to intensify. Some speculate that the killer used the train's noise to muffle the sounds of the murders.