The investigation at the Villisca Axe Murder House produced a wide range of evidence across multiple rooms and devices. In the parlor/living room, Spirit Box sessions yielded direct responses in children’s voices, including the names Lena and Paul, as well as phrases like “Wanna play” and “No.” During interviews, the closet door shut by itself in the children’s bedroom, and an EVP during Linda Cloud’s session asked, “Where is she?” In the bedroom where Lena and Ina were murdered, a chilling EVP declared, “I killed 6 kids”, supported by video of a door closing by itself at the same time. Upstairs, Spirit Box responses included “Everyone’s fine” and “Andy”, while in the attic the team recorded evil laughter in response to the murder weapon being presented. At the same time, other investigators captured complementary EVPs such as “They’re around upstairs” and “We’re going to keep them in the dark.” Additional EVPs added disturbing context, including “Cause they don’t step in heaven yet,” “You’re gonna give up blood,” and “Herman’s gonna get you.” Finally, Nick’s session captured an EVP calling the church “a gathering place,” and minutes later, a motion-activated night vision camera recorded a dark mist moving through a bedroom.
The breadth of evidence gathered during this episode is striking, ranging from physical manifestations (doors closing, dark mist) to intelligent Spirit Box responses and clear EVPs that often aligned with questions asked or historical context. Particularly notable is the consistency of children’s voices in multiple sessions, as well as direct statements referencing the murders. The overlapping EVPs captured in different parts of the house at the same time suggest a layered and active haunting that combines both innocent spirits and a more malevolent presence.
The EVP in the Lena and Ina bedroom stating “I killed 6 kids” stands out as the most compelling evidence. It was captured during a key location of the murders, corroborated by both the investigators and a skeptical former detective, and reinforced by a simultaneous door closing on camera. This combination of direct verbal admission, historical connection, and physical validation makes it the strongest piece of evidence from the investigation.
The team investigated the Villisca Axe Murder House, supported by interviews with locals and paranormal researchers.
Zak interviewed Roy Marshall, a former detective and author of Villisca, who was skeptical of paranormal claims but agreed to join the investigation for an hour. He also interviewed Johnny Houser (resident investigator next door) and Chris Dedman and Roland Saenz of the Midway Paranormal Society. Dedman and Saenz reported that during a prior Spirit Box session in the parlor/living room, when asked who was present, the device replied: “Reverend George Kelly.”
While speaking with Johnny Houser in the children’s bedroom (the same room where Destination Fear later had the wrought-iron bed incident), Zak asked the spirits to show their power and the closet door shut by itself.
Zak brought back sisters Linda Cloud and Patty Williamson, who lived in the house as children; both recalled hearing little girl voices in the first-floor bedroom. During an EVP with Linda, after Zak asked, “Do you recognize Linda?” a voice replied: “Where is she?”
Roy Marshall joined Zak for a short walk-through. After a long quiet period, they heard a creak on the stairs. During review, they found an EVP — which Roy also heard on playback — captured in the bedroom where Lena and Ina were murdered, clearly interpreted as: “I killed 6 kids.” At the same time, cameras recorded a door closing by itself.
Back in the parlor/living room, a Spirit Box session produced responses in children’s voices: Aaron — “Are you scared of us?” → “No”; Zak — “Tell me what your name is” → “Lena”; “Is that you, Lena?” → “Wanna play”; “What’s your name?” → “Paul”.
After noises upstairs, the crew moved up. Zak demanded a name; the Spirit Box replied: “Everyone’s fine.” When asked the murderer’s name, it replied: “Andy.” (Notable since Andrew Sawyer was once detained as a suspect.)
In the attic, Zak held the supposed murder weapon borrowed from a local museum and asked if it was the axe used to kill eight people; an EVP recorded evil laughter. Simultaneously, in the cellar, Aaron asked who hacked them with the axe and captured: “They’re around upstairs.” Outside the attic door, Nick’s recorder picked up: “We’re going to keep them in the dark.”
Zak asked why the children were killed; an EVP answered: “Cause they don’t step in heaven yet.” When Zak said the killer was a sinner, another EVP responded: “You’re gonna give up blood.” Shortly after, a recorder captured: “Herman’s gonna get you”, moments before Zak thought he heard toys moving in a nearby bedroom. Zak noted the house appears to contain both malevolent and innocent spirits.
Later, Nick lay on the bed where Herman, Paul, and Katherine once slept and asked what happened that night and which church they attended before returning home. An EVP replied: “It’s a gathering place.” Four minutes after Nick left, a motion-activated night vision camera recorded what appeared to be a dark mist.
