Epperly Returns to Leon for "Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912" True Crime Book Program

It was 111 years ago on June 9th, 1912 that Iowa's worst mass murder took place in the small town of Villisca, Iowa. Leon, Iowa will welcome Dr. Edgar Epperly, author of the true crime book “Fiend Incarnate: Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912”, Friday, June 9th at 6:00 p.m. for a special presentation and book signing at the Leon Community Center, 203 NE 2nd Street. Books will be on-hand to purchase on the evening of the program. You can also purchase "Fiend Incarnate" at Amazon.com. Ed grew up in Leon and is looking forward to returning for the visit.

Considered the foremost authority on the Villisca axe murders, Epperly's 60+ years of research, interviewing eyewitnesses and key figures in the Villisca murder case, examining historical records connected to the crime, and uncovering new information about suspects of the crime, has been distilled in a comprehensive 416-page historical non-fiction book illustrated with over 190 rare images.

“Fiend Incarnate: Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912” takes the reader back to the dark early morning of June 10, 1912, when a person or persons unknown bludgeoned to death Josiah B. Moore, his wife Sara, their children Herman, Katherine, Boyd and Paul, and two overnight guests, Lena and Ina Stillinger. The sensational crime led to nearly ten years of investigations and trials. The small southwest Iowa town of Villisca split over the guilt or innocence of a local businessman and State Senator. A traveling minister from England with a history of window peeping was charged and tried. Investigators and reporters across the country speculated that the brutal crime was the work of an early serial killer. Similar crimes had been committed in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ellsworth, Kansas; and Monmouth, Illinois.

Epperly was the key consultant and interview in the award-winning  documentary feature film “Villisca: Living with a Mystery” by Emmy award-winning Fourth Wall Films.

To schedule an appearance or book-signing with Dr. Epperly, write to: [email protected].