Villisca, Iowa- Paranormal encounters fascinate Americans. In fact, some tourists will actually pay money to visit or stay in haunted houses. But beware, it’s not all fun and games. One ghostly adventure took a turn for the worst for one Wisconsin resident.
According to authorities, 37-year-old, Robert Steven Laursen Jr. stabbed himself while venturing inside Villisca Axe Murder Housein Villisca, Iowa.
The Montgomery County Sheriff, Joe Sampson told VICE News, Laursen arrived to the house with a group of friends to do a “recreational paranormal investigation.” Samson said that he believed that Laursen was alone in the house at the time of the incident and called his friends for help when the stabbing occurred. When they arrived, they found Laursen stabbed in his chest. He an apparent self-inflicted wound. He was flown from a local hospital to Creighton University Medical Care in Omaha, Iowa. Since the incident, Laursen has recovered from his injuries, Sampson said.
Villisca Axe Murder House is infamously known for the 1912 murders of eight people including, six children and two adults. According to the official Villisca Axe Murder House website, on June 10, 1912, Josiah Moore, and his entire family were murdered, including two of the children’s friends, who were invited to spend the night. The murders happened at 12:45 am, which happens to be the same time that Laursen was stabbed.
The murderer used an axe to kill all the victims. Several suspects were investigated including, a serial killer, pastor, and a state senator. However, no one was ever prosecuted. The killer was never caught.
The Villisca Axe Murder House is now a tourist attraction. Groups of one to six people can pay a whopping $428.00 to spend a night in the house.
The owner of the house, Linn told VICE News that she hopes that this incident doesn’t scare off travelers. She wants to discourage the notion that something bad will happen to anyone who enters the house.
In support of Linn’s claims, Sampson says that during his last six years as sheriff, the house has never been an issue.
This could either be a freak accident or something more. You decide.
-Meghan Kee
Poll: What do you think? Did the house play a part Laursen’s stabbing?
-Yes
-No
