Do Not Fear The Unknown

The Villisca Iowa Axe Murder House Investigation

June 10 th, 2008

Supplemental Report...Submitted by Tim

HPT arrived at the house at 1900 to meet Darwin, owner of the home who arrived at 1915. Tim then began setting up equipment, laptop, DVR, etc in the barn outside of the house while Judy, Erin and Butch set up the infrared cameras and ran the cables to connect them. After getting cameras connected and aimed, the team left the interior of the house and gathered out by the barn to discuss how they should proceed with the investigation. After a short time, Erin, Juli, Judy, Josh and Butch went to visit the cemetery located a short distance from the house while Tim remained to watch the DVR and remaining equipment.

At 2140 the team returned from the cemetery and had a snack before beginning the investigation. The team then assembled for assignments. Erin and Josh went to the downstairs bedroom and Judy and Juli went upstairs. The team first moved through the kitchen into the living room area. Upon entry, they found that a balloon that was placed in the living room had moved around the room and was in front of the kitchen door. At 1007, Judy re-aimed the camera in the kid’s room to view an oil lamp and placed a small car in front of the camera as a trigger object to see if it would move over the course of the night.

Josh and Erin began by investigating the living room area. They first focused their attention on a pendulum that was suspending by a cord on a metal holder. They attempted a line of questioning about the pendulum and requesting anyone who may be around to attempt to move it. After approximately 10 minutes with no result they moved around the living room and into the blue bedroom where the two Stillinger sisters slept. There were a variety of items in the room brought by others and offered as gifts to the children. There were a variety of balls which Erin and Josh placed in the center of the floor between the dresser and the bed. When Josh located another ball and rolled to towards those already positioned, the ball appeared to roll into another one already on the floor the then back to align itself with two others.

The team brought white balloons with them as gifts for the children and one had been placed on a chest at the end of the bed. Josh located another partially deflated balloon and placed it next to the first one on the chest. After a short time in the room taking pictures and attempting to solicit a response the pair moved back into the living room for a short time and focused again on the pendulum, which appeared to move slightly. The team members were not certain if it was moving on it’s own or if it could have been from them walking across the floor causing a slight movement in the table on which it was placed. They then moved into the kitchen area and walked around the perimeter of the room. Erin noticed that when you walked across the floor towards the stove it rattled slightly, again caused probably from the boards on the floor. Juli and Judy soon came from downstairs where they reported that a child named Katy appeared to be interacting with one of the teams EMF meters. The meter appeared to, on command, beep, vary the rate at which it sounded and would stop and start on command. Both Judy and Juli believed Katy playing with the meter caused this. Juli also reported that she felt the Sarah, the mother was becoming upset and frightened from the meter. Juli stated that she was very protective of the children and that if the investigators went back upstairs to be cautious of this fact.

The team then returned to the barn and began recorder preparation on the remaining digital audio devices. Judy and Tim then spoke to Erin and asked where she was just stationed; she reported the upper children’s bedroom. Judy and Tim then made their way back into the house and up to upstairs bedroom. They first turned attention to an IR camera and tried to re-aim it. Suddenly Tim stated that he got a very strong dizziness that came over him as he approached the bed that was against the wall by the window. Judy called to Juli who was watching the DVR to check the camera angle. Juli replied that it was fine.

Judy then began working with the EMF meter and asked questions to see if she could get the EMF meter to react as she did earlier. What appeared to be responses to questions, the meter would begin activating and cease when direct questions were asked. The entity that it was believed was causing the meter to go off was believed to be Katy. When Tim and Judy asked if they should leave, the meter did not go off, when the question was asked if they should stay, the meter began sounding again and continued for a long time. Judy also mentioned that she felt something touch the hand she was holding the meter with. The team members stayed in the child’s room for a while longer with the EMF meter going on and off. Tim then asked Judy if she heard something, she stated “No”. Tim informed her that he had heard something like a shuffling coming from behind where Judy was standing. Judy stated she did not hear anything. Tim and Judy then moved into the parent’s bedroom and began asking questions in an attempt to gain a response. After a short period of time with no activity, Judy and Tim departed from the upstairs.

Tim and Judy made their way out to the barn where Butch reported that while monitoring the DVR he spotted a large orb move past Judy and Tim. Judy then relayed her experiences with the meter to the rest of the team. The team then met briefly in the barn to have a short break and eat a snack before continuing the investigation.

Tim then went over to where Juli was standing in the yard a short distance from the house when Juli stated that she “saw” something in the cistern. She stated she was getting an image of a cigar box or something that was in the cistern. Juli relayed to Tim that they, the murders went into the side door so that no one could see them. Juli and Tim went over to the well where Juli stated that she felt a terrible sense of loss. When Tim asked if she could be more specific, she was not able to be. Juli and Tim then made their way back over to the cistern area and asked Erin to come over and see if she felt anything. She said she got the image of a bowl or something. Juli informed her and Judy that had just walked over that this area is where the cistern was. Judy then stated that she was getting an image of a necklace or something. Juli then stated they she was seeing a cigar box. Juli went on to state that there was something that belonged to the family was down there. She was getting an image of something metal, to which Judy stated she was seeing something sitting on top of a bowl, to which Erin added that she also got the image of a bowl.

Tim suggested that the bowl could have been what the killers used to clean up in after they were done and put it in the cistern. Erin added that supposedly the house was cleaned by some of the friends of the families too. Tim then went on to explain what he knew about cisterns in general. Juli stated they she was informed that the cistern was also bricked up and not accessible any longer.

The team then looked to see if they could locate where the pipe used to connect to the eaves and lead to the cistern, but they were not able to. Josh was then asked to come over and see if he could obtain an image of anything related to the cistern. He stated that he was getting an image of little people or children around the outside of a room. Josh stated he was not able to draw any image of the cistern.

Tim went back to Judy and asked her if she did not tell him earlier about something in a well or something that belonged to the children. Judy stated that she did, to which Tim added that Josh picked up an image of little kids or something like that, or dolls that could be in the cistern.

The team then reassembled back in the barn. Tim took an EMF meter and he and Erin went back into the house. Shortly after walking in the house, Tim again got a feeling of extreme dizziness in the kitchen area, which passed after a few seconds. Juli then joined Tim and Erin. Once they got to the top of the stairs, Erin noticed that the attic door was closed, she stated that when she was up there earlier, they left the door open, to which Juli added that they had shut it when she was up there.

The team then moved into the attic area where they found a large stuff clown laying across the rafters. A number of other items were located there to include some balloons, boxes and hangers hanging on nails. The team only stayed a short time in the attic area due to the musty odor there. There was no sign or indication of any air movement and the air smelled quite stale also.

The team members then moved into the children’s bedroom where Judy called in and asked that the camera be repositioned to see Juli who was seated on the floor with the dowsing rods. Juli began by asking who was in the room with her. Was it Katy and her three brothers? The rods slowly crossed. She then asked if she could move them apart. She then asked the rods to open back up, which they did. Juli then asked the entity if she had “been into the light” yet. The rods did not cross. Tim then asked if she could see the light, to which Juli added to please cross the rods. Tim then asked if she liked to stay there and play with her brothers, and to cross the rods for yes. The rods slowly crossed after which Juli asked if she could push them apart again.

Juli asked the other team members if they had any questions. Tim asked Katy if she went other places in the house and to cross the rods, they did not move. Juli redirected the question and asked if she went outside the room, again the rods did not move. Erin then asked if she went down to the parlor. Juli laughed and said she felt as though Katy told her “Momma says I’m not supposed to”. Tim then asked if she really liked her mommy and to cross the rods for yes. The rods slowly crossed. Juli then asked her to move them apart again which she did. Tim asked what the boys’ names were to which Juli and Erin stated Herman, Boyd and Paul. Juli stated she felt a strong presence in the room from Boyd to which Erin added that it was he who liked to play with the balls people brought. Juli stated while she could feel the presence of Boyd and Paul, she had a hard time detecting Herman. Tim then asked if her brother Paul was in the room and to cross the rods, they crossed. Tim then asked if Katy could push the rods in the direction that Paul was in the room, both of the rods pointed to Juli’s left. Tim then asked if she could push the rods towards Boyd, both the rods pointed directly in front of Juli. Tim asked if he liked the toys, the rods crossed for yes. Juli then asked to have the rods point to where Herman was. The rods slowly moved to point to the right of Juli towards the bed. Juli then asked if Herman always stayed in the bedroom and to cross the rods for yes. The rods moved slightly but did not cross.

Juli asked if Herman went outside the room and to cross the rods for yes. The rods slowly crossed, after which she asked the she, Katy, move the rods back apart. Tim asked if her friends were still there with her and to cross the rods for yes. Again the rods slowly crossed. Erin then asked if she would uncross the rods. They again uncrossed. Tim then asked Katy if she would like to leave there and to cross the rods for yes. The rods did not cross. Juli stated she felt that Katy asked, “Why would I leave here? I live here.” Tim then asked if Katy’s mother and father were there and to cross the rods for yes. The rods again crossed. Juli then told Katy she had a question she felt she had to ask, that being if she was upset about something and to please cross the rods, the rods crossed. Juli again asked her to uncross the rods, they uncrossed.

Erin then asked if Lena was outside, the rods crossed. Juli then handed the rods to Josh to try them and he handed over the camera to Tim. Juli then stated that she did not believe Katy, Boyd and Paul did not know their state, but felt Herman did and that could be the reason sensitive Team members felt he was angry. Juli then asked if anyone wanted to ask any questions, Tim asked Katy if she liked having people come to visit and to cross the rods. The rods did not cross while Josh was hanging on to them. Judy then called and asked if Tim could reposition the camera, which he did. Judy stated she was seeing “activity” in the parents’ bedroom and asked if someone would want to go in there. Juli and Erin went into the parents’ bedroom when Erin asked if the drawers on the dresser were open. Tim went into the room and stated that they were open and that he had seen them on the camera earlier. Tim then gave the camera back to Josh who moved onto the stairs and aimed the camera towards the rest of the team while Tim leaned up against the railing. Juli moved back to the wall by the head of the bed and immediately asked if anyone knew what Sarah’s injuries were. Erin stated the she thought she was struck on her face. Juli stated that she had been experiencing a strong headache. Tim then told the rest of the team that the first time he went into the children’s bedroom he felt a strong pain or ache on the side of his head that came on very rapidly, and to a point where he felt lightheaded. Juli stated the she felt a strong, sharp pain running from the top of her head down the left side along her ear. Juli stood there for a second and appeared to become visibly shaken and stated “Sarah you poor thing.” Erin stated the she knew it was not right and not fair.

Tim then asked Sarah if she was staying there for the children, and did not want to move on. Juli began shaking her head and said, “My husband won’t let me.” Tim then asked if he was still there to which Juli stated he was. Tim asked where he was in the room, Juli pointed to the other side of the bed near the corner. Tim asked what his name was. Both Erin and Juli stated Josiah. Tim then directed a question at him and asked why he was keeping his wife and children there. Juli said, “He said it is none of your business”. Erin immediately said “It’s all because of you!” and that he need to admit it. Juli stated that he said who are you to tell me. Erin again replied back in a stern voice and stated that he had to admit it. She stated although she was not there, he and she both knew. Tim then asked if Josiah realized everything that happened was because of him. Tim then asked why he wouldn’t let her leave. Juli stated he said, “Because she is my wife”. He then asked, “Well, where do you belong?” back to Josiah. Juli stated that he did not want to answer that question. Erin then asked if he was afraid to move on and if so why he wanted to keep the rest of the family there? Could it be because he knew what happened and he knew he did it? Tim again asked what he did and to admit it to the team and Sarah. Erin and Juli both stated that they felt she knew. Tim then called him a coward and asked him if this was fair? Juli stated the she did not feel it was so much being a coward as selfishness. That he felt entitled to have an affair.

Juli attempted to move away and turned back towards the bed and told Sarah that she would not leave her, and that she would stay right there. Erin again stated her disdain for Josiah. Juli then stated that someday he, Josiah would have to give this up and allow the family to move on in peace. She continued to tell him that he would have to release them sooner or later. Juli then asked Erin if she could take a picture of her. When Erin tried, the camera would not work for her. Erin then stated that it appeared as though her batteries in her camera was drained and would not function. Juli then spoke to Sarah and told her she was not to blame and in no way at fault for what happened. She went on to add her children and Juli were there for her. Juli suddenly turned towards the wall and her head slowly fell. As she turned around the team could see she was emotionally upset. She walked towards the team and said, “It is ok”. Juli approach Erin and stated softly that Sarah had moved through her while she was back in the corner.

Juli then had to leave the bedroom area and moved towards the staircase. Tim continued stating his contempt for Josiah and said that he did not think that he was much of a man for what he had done to his family. He continued stating that Josiah was completely at fault and the cause for what had happened. Juli stated she felt he just wanted the control. Juli suddenly stated that she saw a hand print on the window in the children’s room. The team moved back into the children’s bedroom to investigate the hand print on the window. Tim then called down to Judy and reported what they found and that it appeared smaller. Judy stated that it could be her hand print because she touched the window when she removed a piece of wood to close the window. Juli and Erin then went down the stairs and Tim tried challenging him. Juli told Tim that he needed to be careful and that if he upset Josiah that Sarah would be upset because she felt it was up to her to keep the peace in the family. Tim then spoke to Sarah and stated he understood what was going on and that he felt sorry for her and that nothing that had happened was her fault. Tim continued berating Josiah in an attempt to solicit a response and continued stating his feeling sorry for Sarah. Tim then moved towards Josh who was on the steps and stated that he did not even feel angry with him and that he was not worth it.

Tim then began performing some EMF sweeps of the bed and dresser with no results. Josh and Tim then moved back into the children’s room and both investigators admitted that there appeared to be a change in the atmosphere between the two rooms and then when entering the children’s room it felt almost lighter or happier. Josh and Tim then made their way back down the stairs Butch then entered the house and went up the stairs with Josh while Tim made his way outside. Tim was asked by Juli to use his EMF meter and perform a sweep out by where the wellhead was. Tim was able to pick up some EMF hits around the pump, but there were no overhead lines or underground lines that he was aware of to cause the meter to go off. Tim attempted calling to see if he could get any response but was not able to. When Tim returned to the barn, Erin and Judy both asked him if he heard anything out by the pump. Tim stated he was getting some hits that appeared to be in a straight line that would lead him to believe there possibly could be an underground line of some form. Tim then spoke to both Juli and Erin about the family situation that they encountered and that it would be difficult to attempt to get any members of the family that may remain to move on. The team stayed down in the barn for a while to take a break from the investigation and to discuss what had taken place so far, been experienced by team members and to retrieve a recorder that was placed in the basement before the investigation began.

Erin came in and reminded the team that in the past other teams have reported strange occurrences happening at 0120 in the morning. The theory behind this is that there is a train that goes past the town at this time of the morning and the killers may have used this as a means to hide any noise from the victims. The team remained in and near the barn for approximately 20 minutes to rest and “clear out” before going back into the house for the 1:20 vigil. During this time, Tim relayed something to Juli that had never happened to him before. He stated while sitting on the porch of the barn, he got an image of a “man” dressed in a red checked or plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, standing in the same spot he was when he felt a wave of dizziness come over him. He described the man as having black curly hair, what appeared to be a round, rough, tanned face, like that of someone who spent a great deal of time outdoors. He was wearing black pants and also stated that the man was holding something that looked like an ax over his head. He was not able to see who was in the bed, but the image of the bed itself was not like the one that is currently in the house in that same spot. It appeared to have smaller legs on it and either a very small or no headboard. Juli stated that from what Tim described it could be that he was getting or had his first “Sensitive” encounter. She stated that in her experience those individuals that either are not aware or believe they have this gift would often experience the first one as almost like a single snapshot of a place in time.

The team then went back into the barn to reassemble, assign locations, and gather equipment prior to going into house before 1:20. Prior to going in, Josh asked Tim if he could carry the documentation camera for him for a while. Tim and Judy paired up and went back upstairs to the children’s bedroom, and Juli and Erin went together to the blue bedroom downstairs.

When Judy and Tim arrived in the children’s room, Judy noticed some balls on the floor and asked Tim if they were there before. Tim replied that the other team members left them there. Neither Judy nor Tim noticed anything unusual or strange happen at 1:20 when the train went through. Judy attempted to get Katy to make the EMF meter sound off again. She stated she could see the needle move on the meter, but not enough to set off the audible alert.

Judy kept trying to entice the entity to make the meter sound, and while the needle was moving, it was still not enough for the alarm portion to sound. Tim tried encouragement also, but no response was obtained. Judy then placed the meter down on the dresser and both she and Tim watched as the needle moved on the meter. Tim turned away from the dresser and began walking towards the Parents bedroom when he asked Judy if she noticed if the attic door was left open. Judy asked “What door”? To that Tim stated that the door was opening as he spoke. Judy lamented that she saw it move also. Tim stated that he caught it on the videotape and heard something back in the parent’s bedroom move also.

Judy asked if she, meaning Katy was playing with us? Both Tim and Judy stated that it was OK for her to come out. The door then closed on it’s own. Tim thanked her for the effort and asked her is she could open it again. Again the door opened on it’s own. After a couple more repetitions of the door opening and closing, Tim asked if she was playing a game with Judy and him. Judy turned the EMF meter off and back on to make it beep in the hopes she would make it go off. The meter beeped one single time to which Judy thanked whoever made it go off.

Tim and Judy could both hear Juli and Erin on the lower level laughing quite loudly about something that was happening. Judy placed the meter down on the floor for anyone to make it sound again. Again the door opened on it’s own. Then Butch called on the radio stating that he was hearing some strange noises in the barn and numerous dogs could be heard barking around the town. Tim tried to call Butch back on the radio but was not able to. Judy then asked if she could take a picture of Katy opening the door. The door slowly opened and Judy snapped a picture of it. The door again closed and both investigators tried encouraging Katy to open it again, which it did. Judy and Tim remained in the room for approximately another 15 minutes watching the door open and close by itself.

Judy then made her way past the door, to which Tim stated that the door did not move at all. Also, the door closed very quickly when she walked passed it. (It should be noted that there were no windows open at all in the house while this was occurring. Only the kitchen door was opened. Also there are open vents on the eaves of the house, but when the team was in the attic earlier, there was no indication of any air movement in the attic, even with all the windows and kitchen door opened.) Judy then called down to Erin and Juli to inform them what she and Tim were experiencing. Juli stated that they were downstairs and “someone” was playing ball with them. They stated that they were playing ball with “Ina”. Judy then asked Tim if he would like to go down and record the other team members playing ball. After a few more minutes of the door opening and closing, Tim sat down on the floor in the children’ bedroom and Judy placed a ball near the door. Judy stated that she could feel the presence of a young female behind the door as she placed the ball down and moved back into the children’s bedroom. Tim then asked Katy if she would like the team members to leave to allow her to rest. Tim noted exactly where the ball was positioned and the position of the door. Tim remarked that while passing through the parent’s room, he and then Judy felt an extremely cool spot. On the way down the stairs, they met Erin, Josh and Juli coming up. Erin and Juli informed Judy and Tim about what they were experiencing with the ball downstairs. Juli and Erin stayed in the hallway while Judy and Tim were in the children’s bedroom and all four of the investigators Judy also questioned if there were any open windows up there that would account for the door opening, to which all the team members lamented that there were none open.

All four of the investigators kept encouraging the door to open after which it would immediately close. Erin and Juli informed her that they were downstairs playing with Ina who “told” them she wanted to come upstairs and play with her. Both Juli and Erin promised not to tell Ina where Katy was hiding. Tim then informed Juli, Erin and Josh that Judy and him heard a faint scream coming from the parents room to which Josh stated that the three of them heard what sounded like someone walking on the sidewalk, but they were able to account for all the other investigators. Erin asked if she could open the door so she could take a picture of her, the door again opened for Erin to snap a picture.

All of the investigators tried to come up with a reasonable explanation for the door moving. They all stated that they could feel no air movement at all in the house or especially in the attic area. Tim stated he could feel an occasional cold spot on his left side. Erin pointed out that he was sitting next to the gravity vent on the floor and with the kitchen door open there could be a faint draft that would come up. Upon further analysis, Tim did not feel this cool sensation when the door was moving. Juli, Erin and Josh left for downstairs. Shortly after they departed Tim and Judy walked downstairs and out to the barn where Butch was watching the DVR. Butch stated that he heard some banging in the barn and thought he heard something outside, so he went out to see what it could be and when he returned to the barn he thought he heard what sounded like sawing.

Tim then asked Butch if he saw the door opening and closing on the camera. Butch stated that we were blocking the camera but did not want to call on the radio because he could see we were engaged in something. Butch informed the team that from 1320 on the DVR there was lots of movement in both the areas where team members were in the lower level and also in the room where Judy and Tim were. Butch then stated that he thought he heard someone get out of a chair behind him, and then the sawing sound. He also stated that at 1:22 he heard all the dogs in the neighborhood barking and he went out to see if there was someone outside.

Juli then informed the rest of the team that the team members downstairs “saw” the murder event replay, to which Judy added that at the same time she got an overwhelming sense of fear at the same time. They then informed Butch about the door opening and closing and that Tim had recorded the entire incident on the video camera. Juli then questioned if this is a yearly occurrence or if it happens more frequently and if this could be a multi-layered haunting. This type of haunting encompasses experiences akin to a residual haunting with interactive haunting experiences also.

The team continued relaying incidents or experiences they had, feelings of cold spots, different feelings of dread, or sense of loss, to feelings of joy when they were interacting with what they believed were the children playing with them. While the team was still in the barn, Juli asked if anyone else heard what sounded like footsteps in the attic of the barn. Erin stated she too thought she heard what sounded like footsteps.

After about 20 minutes, Judy, Butch and Tim along with the video camera made their way back up to the children’s bedroom to see if they could resume interacting with “Katy” and the door opening and closing. Erin then took over watching the DVR’s while Juli and Erin stayed out on the porch. Erin heard what she said sounded like footsteps upstairs, to which she remembered the loft doors were open and that could account for what other teams members mistook for footsteps.

Once the team arrived back upstairs, Butch stayed in the hallway by the parent’s bedroom and Judy and Tim made their way back into the children’s bedroom and took up positions similar to where they were before, with Tim on the floor with the video camera trained on the attic door and Judy just behind and to the right of him. “Katy” soon resumed opening and closing the door for approximately an additional 15 minute time period. During the vigil it appeared that the door opened farther then earlier and had a tendency to close harder also.

The highlight of this vigil came at about 55:30 seconds on the recording when the door opened wide and a ball previously placed on the floor moved towards the door. Tim managed to record this occurrence with the video camera and later review of the DVR by Judy also caught the incident, which clearly showed no one was near the ball when it moved. Tim then asked if “Boyd” was the one playing with the ball instead of Katy. It had been reported by others investigating this location that they felt the entity named Boyd enjoyed playing with the toys more then any other entity within the location. Judy also placed the Ghost Meter on the floor near the door and ball in the hope that it would also activate. After an additional 10 minutes, the team concluded this vigil and went back out to the barn. Before departing the house, the team made a quick survey of the lower level of the home. This incident lasted a total of over 40 minutes upon review of the video evidence.

The team discussed the incidents that they had just witnessed within the house in great detail in an attempt to debunk them or find a reasonable explanation for them. Neither the incidents in the upper levels with the door and ball moving nor the incident experienced in the lower levels with Josh, Erin and Juli where the ball, when rolled towards Juli would veer off course and not roll near her could be explained. The team discussed how much longer the investigation would last. Lightening could be seen in the distance and with the amount of equipment that would have to be packed up and the length of the drive back home, the team decided to go back into the house for one last sweep through. At the conclusion of this sweep the team began breaking down and packing up equipment for the trip home. The team departed the site at approximately 0420.