The Villisca Axe Massacre

[@TheCasualCriminalist]

Go to thld.co/bosley_criminalist and get your FREE Bosley Info kit and $250 gift card. Thanks to Bosley for sponsoring today’s video.

[@dynoooomite6936]

Simon root for the baby. On You.

[@Stroheim333]

The family was murdered by the extremely violent burglar and serial killer Carl Panzram?

[@michaelmayhem350]

You should do a casual criminalist on the Amityville horror house but do release it on April fool's day and go all in on the ghost and demons being responsible

[@collincutler4992]

Simon needs to make a ghost story and alien channel:)

[@barrydysert2974]

Simon, i see you're plugging plugs now. So, Bosley is going to plant you and Keeps will make it grow!:-P

[@MeduseldRabbit]

The mirrors and windows being covered was a tradition in the Victorian age that hung on for a while in the south in particular. It was believed that ghosts could get trapped in mirrors and the next person to look in them before the mourning period ended would be the next to die. This could have been a hint on the age or regional background of the killer rather than just a symptom of madness. I am a little surprised Callum didn't say anything on the one poor bloke who confessed to the killing, though. He later turned out to have a solid alibi, but the confession was tortured out of him by the cops dangling him over the side of a bridge.

[@texadian339]

Glad I read the previous comments before making my own because I was definitely going to say the same thing about covering the mirrors and how this might be an indicator of the murderer's age or background - though I would argue that taking the time to do this might also imply that he expected either he or someone he loved/cared about/wanted to protect would be inside the house at some point following the murders. I question the fact that there were sheets covering the windows as well though... It's definitely contradictory to the Victorian death/mourning practices the killer seemed to be following (as per the covered mirrors), since this set of traditions generally indicated that at least one, if not all, of the windows of the house in which someone was dying or had recently died should be cracked or left open so the soul of the recently-departed didn't become trapped within the house - the idea being that the soul could escape out the window and then rise up to "heaven" once outside. Motive = personal?

[@maryscott9430]

Im so glad im not the only one who knows this story but still listened just cuz its simon telling it!

[@doctorlolchicken7478]

If you’re crazy enough to murder a bunch of people I’m guessing you’re not likely to be too concerned about the fate of people who look in the mirrors later.

[@IudiciumInfernalum]

@@texadian339 Windows are reflective surfaces, not unlike mirrors in some regards.

[@CashelOConnolly]

Not just in Victorian times! In Bray(near Dublin) County Wicklow. Ireland where I come from,when someone dies the family of the dead person still close all the curtains and cover mirrors,put salt around the doors and windows. its to stop Banshee’s/evil fairies getting in and possessing the bodies of the mourners.The mourners always wear black in the belief that Banshee’s won’t be able to see them! Its totally ridiculous but ppl still do it!!!!! Mind you that’s nothing compared to the aul folk who live in the countryside,they’re adamant fairies and leprechauns exists,🙄🇮🇪

[@markokrsmanovic2562]

Simon: "Vilisca or something, probably has like 4 inhabitants anyways" Me: "Not any more it doesn't"

[@unanonymousjones]

"Not any *Moore* it doesn't."

[@zachariahcotterman1250]

been there, went to the house, creepy little place, but it is still a thriving typical Midwest small town of just over 1,000 people.

[@nathanbarnes9373]

​@@zachariahcotterman1250i live in clarinda about 10 minutes away. Spent the night in there with 5 other friends definitely had an eery feeling but nothing happened

[@primaltempest9218]

I know that these are suppose to be dark but, Jen. Jen, the quick clip of Simon getting his leg chainsawed gave me a good laugh. Thank you for giving some levity to these dark stories.

[@ofox716]

Just started the video and now very curious about context lol

[@lazzyrj1]

It’s called “The Casual Criminalist “ for a reason so laugh away

[@anamkarajoy]

I was just a little sad when I realized podcast listeners couldn't witness the sudden Charles Manson disco dance.

[@m.kayewilliams2550]

I still don't go into the scare houses (farms) when they have chainsaws for just the same reason - what if a real psycho infiltrates the scene. Glad I'm not the only one with this phobia!

[@matihobe6123]

@@ofox716 tþftp

[@jamieholtsclaw2305]

'He's probably done some axe-murdering before...' Funny you should say so, Simon. There were similar murders in cities along the same railroad that Villisca is on (also in that time period).

[@irimac1806]

Ppl vote this up so Simon sees this!

[@krikkrakvollenbak5892]

youtubers are special: they have been apologizing for sounding sick for years but never actually sound sick.

[@UlshaRS]

The power of a quality mic! (and audio software)

[@nathantuff8814]

The word you're looking for is hypochondria :P

[@InteriorDesignStudent]

It's especially funny when someone with a nasal British accent apologizes for sounding even more nasal. I truly don't hear any difference.

[@aftersexhighfives]

I think it's a physical thing. The mild swelling causes you to hear yourself differently than everyone else can. Just like your recorded voice is different than what you hear when you speak. He can hear the mild swelling, but the swelling is in his sinus cavities not his vocal chords.

[@Kerosene.Dreams]

@@aftersexhighfives High five!

[@miaceria2531]

I love that the whole not bringing your own ax is bothering our fact boy, every house had an ax, and it would be so much weirder if you were just walking down the street with an ax.

[@Leatherargento]

Thank you!

[@whensomethingcriesagain]

Plus who knows, maybe the murderer brought a knife or something, and then found the axe in the backyard and decided it would be a better weapon

[@MrButternutsprinkles]

Not to mention the town was small enough that someone, say, a neighbor who saw you chopping firewood on a regular basis, and now and then stopped to chat with you while doing so, just might be able to identify your personal axe. Neighbors were much more familiar with each other in those days. Just consider the fact that the Moores' next-door neighbor knew their daily habits well enough to know almost immediately that something was wrong.

[@BirloCB]

And to be honest - I agree with the murderer, why would you add your own possessions to the crime scene when there is already a murder weapon there!

[@LordGreystoke-h5t]

@@miaceria2531 If his targeted family had no axe in the back yard, he would just take one from a neighbor down the street.

[@mytruecrimelibrary]

Covering reflective surfaces is an old tradition to avoid ghosts being trapped in them.

[@abramharris1181]

Souls

[@TheCasualCriminalist]

Makes sense. My ghosts have been all over the place. Finally I can get that shit sorted out. Thank you!! 10/10. Would buy again.

[@mytruecrimelibrary]

@@TheCasualCriminalist 🤣🤣 love you guys

[@Herschel1738]

Yes, but a skeptical person (like me & Simon) may point out that the souls would flee to the mirrors immediately upon death. Covering them up AFTER someone is dead is probably way too late. I also think it may also have been because grieving people are not supposed to be vain about their looks. There are old customs of mourners rending their clothes and covering themselves in "sackcloth & ashes". Wearing black for mourning is a less severe version of that idea. Also, each Death is a lesson to the living that we ALL will end up rotting in the grave, and our concern about earthly pleasure, wealth & vanities will pass away when we do.

[@yesterdayitrained]

@@TheCasualCriminalist : 🤣🤣🤣

[@donitownsend4684]

Simon, you pronounced Vallisca perfectly!! From a born and raised Iowa farm girl. Remember, this is a state where it’s a crick, not a creek. It’s a warshrag, not a washcloth. And, as my 67 year old sister says, it’s a hambooger, not a hamburger. But, she’s 14 years older than I am and I don’t know who raised her, because I pronounce these words properly. 🤣

[@btetschner]

A hambooger...that hurts to even imagine someone saying. My dad says that all the time when he is trying to be silly (says it for no known reason).

[@silvertarot25]

Also born & raised in Iowa & I don't say warsh, My Mom, who would be close in age to your sister if she was alive, said crick, so I switch between the two & no one I know over the age of 10 says hambooger, lol. I think it depends on where you live in Iowa, or where your parents lived, cuz my Mom grew up in a different area of Iowa than where I was born & raised, and her parents weren't even from Iowa.

[@ATLmodK]

My mother was raised in Southern Illinois and had an accent that included the word “warsh”. My sister corrected me from using it, which I thought was disloyal to my mother.

[@RealElongatedMuskrat]

I love that even in Simon's hypothetical scenario where he's being bullied by a neighbour after his wife and children are killed, they earnestly call him "facts boy." The idea of someone going "loool you fkn nerd" to the sole survivor of a family murder is... something else.

[@ghost1b235]

Appreciate you dismissing the ghost nonsense. Honestly, thought i was the only person in the world to think it was ridiculous and people vehemently argue that ghosts are real and i don't get how

[@joseybryant7577]

I think Callum should look into this Brain Blaze guy. Guy has two men in his basement, and is even selling shirts about it.

[@empressoftheknownuniverse]

Aahh, perhaps we should start some sort of thread to hash it out. I have a "Keep Danny" t-shirt as evidence.

[@joseybryant7577]

@@empressoftheknownuniverse hold on to that! After the eventual trial, it'll be worth a fortune.

[@incredibleflameboy]

Wait there's a smooth brained, bearded bald guy who keeps 2 guys in his basement who points out flaws in law enforcement and gives tips for committing crimes?

[@empressoftheknownuniverse]

@@incredibleflameboy Fascinating, isn't it? 😄

[@empressoftheknownuniverse]

@@joseybryant7577 How valuable is my "Free Danny" t-shirt, then? Wait a minute...😄

[@matthewwhite2155]

That's so true about feeling removed from the crime, even though it is horrible whenever it happens. It's kind of crazy to think about, but actually 1918 wasn't all that long ago in the grand scheme of things. My great aunt was born in 1908, and lived till the ripe old age of 97; she remembered her parents talking about the Titanic sinking, and would have been a few months away from 10 when these murders happened. She was at my college graduation in 2005! Whenever I start thinking of 100 years as a long time ago, that gives me perspective. ::)

[@ChanaRo613]

I think 1918 is the year my grandma (who lived in Villisca, but not until the 30s or 40s) was born!

[@Hearth123]

My great great uncle was born in 1907 and died at the ripe old age of 107, he was driving with my grandma to his birthday party where we surprised him when she commented that she remembered when the highway they were on was one lane instead of 4 lanes and he laughed and said he remembered when it was dirt 😳 he maintained his driver's license until he was 100 and walked with a cane until he was 105 when he finally had to be in a wheelchair.

[@jshearouse]

My great grandmother was born in 1905. She had an original newspaper artical of the titanic sinking.

[@aceofkpop1243]

"If you talk to God, that's A-okay. If God talks to you, get checked out/not okay." This is still one of my favorite Simon quotes ever lol

[@kimberlypatton9634]

Just one in that great list of "Simon Witticisms"!

[@TBDS1990]

Omg agreed!! Plus there's his massive list of Pro tips for criminals😂

[@cindytartt4048]

Except, this ‘quote’ is decades old….

[@roxbuchanan6357]

I believe that horrific violence becoming blunted by the passage of years like you mentioned is a very human survival instinct. I think that, if they all stayed so immediate to us forever, we'd all rather quickly go quite noisily mad. The emotional blunting allows humans to cope. I mean, really - I get horrified enough thinking of the Holocaust, even with that "blunting." I can't imagine what I'd be like if I didn't have that to help me cope with that enormity.

[@HavianEla]

It’s actually a real phenomenon! My history teacher was telling us about it. Terrible people/things generally come with massive change that, when humans ADAPT to that change, we think better off the situation. Example: Genghis Khan and the Mongolian empire. Those people were BRUTAL, and any of what you hear that the man did “good” was more for power. However, nowadays people LOVE the guy despite him raping, torturing, and murdering literal hundreds of thousands. A fraction of today’s population is related to him because of how many women he forcefully impregnated.

[@Lizzyjaeger]

well said!

[@KyleCotton1]

And we're back on the Rambling Criminalist! 🤣 never change Simon!

[@zarasbazaar]

Right? If I wanted to hear just the straight story, I could watch a bunch of other channels. The digressions improve the journey through the story.

[@KyleCotton1]

@@zarasbazaar exactly! The rambling adds to the journey without actually adding to the story! Lol

[@kristiskinner8542]

@@zarasbazaar it gets annoying at times. Still watch/listen to this one but here are other channels that add their own touch. The best 2 are Deadbug Says & That Chapter

[@KyleCotton1]

@@kristiskinner8542 I like that chapter but sometimes I get annoyed because he takes a 10 min story and adds 15 mins of nothing but random comments. With Simon at least we get a story or some insight with the ramblings lol

[@Steven_mackenzie]

His presentation of other the channels is great, however this rambling is simply not funny, unless you can relate to it by being socially awkward and enjoy nerd type humor. Sorry Simon - not that you will be reading this - but I find this too painful to watch even though I am interested in the topic. Unfortunately for me, the majority of your audience dont get out much, but big respect for your other channels mate

[@bradthechampion]

The Bosely commercial Simon does is absolutely incredibly hilarious

[@ShingiMavima]

Simon: Psychics arent real Also Simon: guesses the name Josiah of ALL the names out there. Methinks the bearded genius is heavy on the denial in order to conceal his true powers

[@bradyanselmi]

Nothing to see here…move along….lol

[@christopherengel7436]

Allegedly

[@widetoad9255]

The powers stem from all the gold in his head. OGCC 💪

[@minagica]

Rofl

[@blackhat4206]

He does vaguely resemble Professor X.

[@phoradio1277]

Simon does a complete Russian series on Biographics and nails every pronunciation yet a town in Iowa throws him off his game😂

[@Horticarter41]

Well, he does live in Prague. I sure heard Russian spoken all the time when I lived in Germany, I would assume it would be similar in the Czech Republic.

[@Callsign_Spartacus_37Fox]

I enjoy Callum’s writing style and dark humor, been looking up his other work. His helpful website on becoming an English teacher in Japan is very interesting.

[@ManWhorse]

Aw, is he pretending to be teaching in Japan again? Poor fella must finally be losing it down in Simon’s basement :(

[@handshoesandhorsegrenades1848]

@@ManWhorse it’s so sad, Simon needs to give him some sunlight every now and then

[@SpencerGD]

@@handshoesandhorsegrenades1848 nah, he just needs some vitamin d supplements. Just gotta trick the body into thinking it got sunlight. All the benefits of sunlight without the risk of the neighbors seeing 🌞

[@stephjovi]

@@ManWhorse no, he mentioned living in Japan at the beginning of CC. I suppose he made the mistake to go to Britain to visit his family and Simon has a kidnapper ready to bring him to Prague or he was really naiv and thought the Blazement isn't real and came to Prague to meet Simon 😂

[@bonp3502]

Thanks

[@fallingdream]

turning the house into an attraction is the only thing that makes any sense in America, otherwise you're just going to get driven off by all the trespassing and harassment like keeps happening at the Amityville house, it's too famous to live in normally because people have no boundaries so just turn it into a B&B and sell guided tours

[@quickredf0x143]

You can see the moment he realizes he went on a massive tangent in the intro and snaps back to it. Also the frequent use of the axe with smack sounds throughout the video was genius. Thank you, Jen.

[@trikepilot101]

Jen's "cameo" still one of the highlights of every episode.

[@Zash0000]

The reason the streets in American cities are numbered is because they could plan the cities (where European cities grew more organically). The streets are straight East West or North South, so the numbering gives you grid coordinates on where in the city the intersection is.

[@hilarys3405]

Having a numbered grid system also gives you an immediate idea of how far away something is without having to memorize an entire map of names.

[@silvertarot25]

I live in a town with a majority of numbered streets & it is so easy to get around. Central is Central & then North/South are Streets, East/West are Avenues, and are numbered moving away from Central. There are small towns in Iowa that have streets named after trees, the presidents, or other things & it is so confusing....cuz someone will live at 1905 Ash Street, but you have to find Maple Avenue to find the 1900 block, and they didn't even put the streets in alphabetical order. so no idea which side of town they are on. Versus 1905 N 8th Street, which tells you that you need to go to the north end of town, so simple.

[@spacecaptain9188]

I grew up on various US military bases. Servicemen are disturbingly talented at creating realistic horrors during the Halloween season. I've been chased by multiple real chainsaws, saw one guy get his leg cut off (they used real meat and everything!), and more than one solder went the extra mile by destroying their uniforms to put on a good show (they're not actually allowed to do that). One man opened his front door near me, and dragged himself outside using just his arms. He had a real looking stab wound, and convincingly begged me to call the guards to save his life. I have a lot of complaints about growing up with the military, but I have to admit, they are GREAT at Halloween!

[@anyathepanther7977]

Sounds like former Theater kids.

[@pansprayers]

When night terrors turn into entertainment. It's one way to work your PTSD out.

[@shianistorm3767]

Went through one and they used attack dogs. Dog chased a guy through a room and then they threw guts out the door. They made it a competition between units i think. Was great

[@philomenaballerina]

Jen, I swear your work’s signature gets more pronounced every episode! The show would not be the same without you. You’re the best!

[@geminisunrise]

While it’s weird that a murderer would bother do it, the custom of covering mirrors in a house where someone died is or was a funerary custom all around the world. It was practiced for example in Poland, Russia, China, Victorian England and also in the USA and Australia during the same time period. And I might be wrong, but I’ve also read that it still can be a part of Jewish shiva (period of mourning). So mirrors being covered in the house is not so unreasonable as it seems at first.

[@Religion0]

Especially for a religious person.

[@incredibleflameboy]

Wouldn't leaving the mirrors uncovered be disrespectful to the victims? I can't really see the killer caring about the family but it could be some sort superstition or ritual that they followed to protect themselves.

[@geminisunrise]

One of the reasons given for why people covered mirrors in presence of the dead is a belief that their soul could be trapped and not pass to the afterlife. So if murderer believed that, covering mirrors might have been their way of making sure that their victims were completely gone. But who knows, it is all a speculation.

[@staticthewhitewolf7040]

A murderer would do it if they did not want to look themself in the eye.

[@pslinky]

Since they believed heavily in ghosts at that time, the murderer probably did it not out any kind of respect for the victims, but more likely he was scared of being haunted themselves

[@dlo111]

Jen's editing is top notch! Callum has amazing writing skills, well done team. I like listening to stories I know for Simon's take on them.

[@Elemarth]

It's such a relief to have a channel like this where the person DOESN'T believe in ghosts.

[@kristiskinner8542]

Have always been a cynic but I did test out some of the ghost hunting techniques years ago. Caught the same EVPs on 2 different recorders & this happened repeatedly in a quiet area (no road noise, animal sounds etc) at a cemetery right outside of town with no one else around for miles. Tested this out at 2 other cemeteries with the same results just not as clear as the other (where it sounded like they were sitting right beside me) & got nothing at the 3rd cemetery. Definately dont believe everything they supposedly find on all those ghost hunter shows, but people shouldnt be so quick to dismiss every account

[@InteriorDesignStudent]

It's easy to not believe in something until you experience it yourself.

[@LittleCuteNekogirl]

Yes! It's nice to finally listen to a true crime podcast were the host isn't a religious, superstitious woman.

[@InteriorDesignStudent]

@@LittleCuteNekogirl misogyny?

[@leahstone9308]

@@LittleCuteNekogirl Most if those ghost hunter grifters are dudes, just as most televangelists are dudes

[@ringlhach]

Let's be honest, if Callum turns up dead, the cops are never going to find out because he'll be fed to the other writers in Simon's basement.

[@GeorgieB1965]

I was waiting for this pop up as I got some additional infor for everyone who's interested in this case. Bill James {he of SabrMetric baseball fame} and his daughter Rachel McCarthy James, wrote a book called "The Man From The Train" that solves a century old serial killer mystery, of which this story plays a part in it. Basically, the above video was part of a killing spree that ran from 1898-1912. And at the end, they name the actual serial killer. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who's into true crime and anyone who wants to know more about this murder.

[@PatheticJedi]

I just bought this book yesterday and haven't been able to put it down, I came back to this video to see if anyone in the comments had heard of it!

[@firebreathingmermaid8952]

I also read this book and came here to see who mentioned it! I second this recommendation

[@shelso1300]

It is pretty good. And it demonstrates it isn't Kelly.

[@alaynayoung85]

The show 'PsychoPass' is all about a future where there's a tech that reads people's capacity to comit crimes, based on their body or brain chemistry I believe. It's super compelling, especially when the main villain pops in and reveals that the scanner doesn't work on him, even while he's murdering people in front of the authorities. The police guns won't fire either unless their scanners flag someone as a threat, so they literally can't shoot the villain. It's a super cool concept, and your comment made me remember it.

[@AmberPearcy]

I’ve heard this story a few times before but I just love Callum’s scripts and Simon’s added comments-so funny!

[@thumpyloudfoot864]

Weird that sounds like something an axe murderer would say.... Where were you during the early morning of June 10th 1912?

[@incredibleflameboy]

@@thumpyloudfoot864 all I know is that I had a strong need to place bacon on the floor of a bedroom.

[@katherineray1980]

“Spilled inside and started gawking at the gore like a bunch of degenerate 4chan users.” Lol

[@anneroy4560]

@@katherineray1980 I find it odd that the police had not left someone there until the processing of the scene was complete ...

[@TheFreshPrinceOfSaiyans]

29:22 I’m dying. Who knew Simon was secretly a metal vocalist this whole time. ✨The more you know.✨

[@Nesseight]

Simon guessed Josiah. New channel confirmed: Skeptical Psychic.

[@reg4211]

Haha exactly

[@stephjovi]

Well decoding the unknown is supposed to be just that

[@birdmann6923]

@@stephjovi i couldn't get through the first episode 😬 love the casual criminalist though. Imo he should just focus on these and maybe one or two of his other most popular channels (no idea which ones those are as this is the only one i watch) 🤙

[@awaywithwords9650]

@@birdmann6923 Simon's other channels (off the top of my head): Today I Found Out, Top Tenz Net, Brain Blaze, Highlight History, Megaprojects, Side Projects, Geographics and Biographics; and yes, I've watched them all, but Simon seems to be everywhere. I'm actually shocked that this is the only one you've watched.

[@heyysimone]

Simon claims psychics are bullshit, but then he himself is a psychic!

[@serenanorris7251]

You sound fine. I usually pass on stories that I have seen a thousand times by a thousand different youtubers. Your telling are an exception. I so do enjoy the work that you, Jen and Callum do.❤❤❤❤

[@Gersti96]

Your ad read should have been “Bosley: for those who are too late for keeps”

[@michaelcriger6359]

The book, The Man From The Train, provides the solution to these murders that I find the most intriguing. It's an extremely well researched book, for those who love that sort of thing.

[@TheKulu42]

Agreed. I've read it, too, and it's a good look at America's law enforcement in the days before the FBI and national crime databases.

[@korneliusjansen542]

Agreed. It's quite obvious from both the modus operandi visible in the Villisca axe murders as well as the extreme similarities to the MO in the other axe murders (like the Casaway axe murders, Ardenwald axe murders, Colorado Springs axe murders, Ellsworth axe murders, etc.) that this was done by a serial killer. Demonstrates how bad the research was by the show host and his team.

[@elhurricane1706]

​@@korneliusjansen542I'm extremely disappointed in how poorly researched this was. Paul Mueller could very well be the most prolific serial killer in US history, and this whole thing was just absolutely botched.

[@mrjones2721]

@@korneliusjansen542I just came her from That Chapter’s episode on the case, which relies heavily on The Man from the Train and comes to the opposite conclusion from Simon. That Chapter also points out why the case against the preacher was weak, starting with how the elderly couple couldn’t swear to the date when the preacher told them the family was dead, only that it was “a Monday.” The case for a coerced confession was also strong. The preacher was a serial creep who was arrested repeatedly and eventually hospitalized for his behavior toward young women, and he was obsessed with the axe murders, but the evidence that he was the killer falls apart on inspection.

[@ella17734]

9:20 As far as the killer taking an ax from the home, that's what the Ax Man of New Orleans did in 1918. There were other killings around that time period across the South where stealing an ax to kill multiple people happened. It's a long shot but maybe the cases are related. If the killer was traveling often for work or homeless and riding the railroad cars, as was common then, it's not impossible. Another thing... it was a common practice during the time period to cover mirrors after someone had died in a house. The bodies were also covered with blankets. Edit: Buzzfeed unsolved series has an episode where they visit the actual house and show the mark the Ax left in the wall from hitting Josiah. Enjoy!

[@markcarpenter6020]

Honestly after researching it I think a drifter doing it is more likely than the preacher. The preacher just seemed a easy scapegoat. And a drifter would explain the Bacon....he forgot the lunch he stole.

[@nathanirby4273]

It was "The man from the train"

[@Shaggrtoon]

Look up the man from the train...

[@doctorlolchicken7478]

I think this is why Callum wrote that he wouldn’t devote any more time to the wandering killer theory. The axe was a very common tool at the time, so many murderers would choose it. If someone said “There were lots of murders with guns all over the country” you wouldn’t assume they were connected, but axes were just as common, if not more common, than guns.

[@FireMageLayn]

The Man from the Train is a good book. The new orleans axe murderer used a cleaver, not the blunt side of an axe.

[@mesee557]

"That's Dedication to the grift"... that took me by surprise & I damn near choked on my wine from the burst of laughter that happened when I heard it!

[@QuantumBoogaloo]

Idea for a future episode: the city of Bardstown, Kentucky. There were 5 murders (all currently unsolved) within the span of less than 5 years. All of the murders are very unusual, and occurred in this very small town. A policeman, a special needs teacher, her daughter, a young mother, and her father. I would love to see someone’s thoughts who doesn’t know about this personally. There are several theories, but everyone in town believed that at least three of the murders were done by the young mothers boyfriend and his brother. It’s some weird stuff

[@tristanwheeler3376]

Are you talking about crystal Bardstown is where my family is from

[@tonykeltsflorida]

Paraguay has a double murder over violins. I bet it will be on here someday.

[@QuantumBoogaloo]

@@tristanwheeler3376 yup! I’m from Bardstown too, and all the stuff I’ve seen is by people who are from near there. I’d love to see an outsiders perspective

[@RealElongatedMuskrat]

@@tonykeltsflorida you can't just throw out that gem of a sentence and not elaborate. Violin double murder?! 😂

[@RealElongatedMuskrat]

@@QuantumBoogaloo wow that all sounds intense, i can't imagine how unnerving it must be being from there given that the victims are so random.

[@jformaldehydem]

Headline: Writer found dead in KZbinr's basement, pronunciation guide lodged inside throat. Second writer found alive with crippling carpal tunnel

[@lehammsamm]

Just listened to the Spotify version of this a day or two ago, but I love the way this trio works together and needed to see the visuals. 🙂 I think this'll be how I do things now until Spotify gets their head in the game and adds reviews.

[@empressoftheknownuniverse]

ObsoleteOddity did a right cracking version of this incident, newsprint and narrative gravitas included.

[@ladyicondraco]

Love the speeding up as Simon gets back on track. Good job, Jen! I like when the ghost stuff is included because I like to listen to Simon rant and explain the ghost stuff away.

[@KMKOST1701]

When it comes to not wanting to live in a murder house while not believing in ghosts, I am going to quote the great Shane Madej, "it's a fucking bummer."

[@Poisonwc]

Shaniacs unite and speak!

[@tartnouveau3652]

Jen is a peak meme queen and I hope she’s able to put that on a resume some day

[@logantheredacted]

Perfect timing! I was so bored at work. Thanks Simon!

[@luckycobble935]

Same honestly

[@catman422]

Same.

[@TheJtyork420]

I love the cold reads it adds the Biz Blaze flare to the causal Casual Criminalist. The channels where u get some of Simon's real personality truly shine above the rest.

[@cadillacmonte]

Low key I’m disappointed that you don’t have a “You absolute Psycho” or a “Don’t be a psycho” shirt in your inventory

[@Darkflowerchyld718]

I want it to say "You absolute psycho" on the front and "Allegedly" on the back

[@alexandraw909]

@@Darkflowerchyld718 OHMIGOSH YES!!!!!! *allegedly*... And have it in like a cursive font or something, so the reader reeeally has to work to read it!!!

[@sallyh.6362]

I vote for "What are you up to..!?" on the front with "Stop It." On the back. And Simon just said "what are you up to" as I was typing it. Brilliant.

[@AvoidTheCadaver]

@@Darkflowerchyld718 "Don't write down your crimes!" on the front "you idiot" on the back

[@kimberlypatton9634]

Huge props and respect to you ,Simon,for your level of dignity and personal sense self esteem! It takes a person who is purely 100% centered to feature a sponsor for hair restoration...putting yourself out there (as a beautifully bald man) and risking tons of remarks which will reference the irony...I commend you for the size of your stones for it,that's all! I have been such a fan of ALL your endeavors for quite a few years now and have enjoyed your intelligence,wit,sarcasm and sense of humor immensely! P.S: My late husband ( we were married 40 years,he passed in 2017..) started going bald when he was 16,and I am just in awe of a stunning,beautifully shaped male cranium..a truly remarkable pleasantry!

[@danielbloresingersongwriter]

I would definitely watch "Simon reviews t.v shows he doesn't like"😂

[@michaeltobias3110]

That's a great idea. I would definitely watch that.

[@mikeygallos5000]

I think he tried it on an experiment on what Business Blaze at the time.

[@TheCasualCriminalist]

Sounds torturous.

[@movieswithshannon]

so would I!

[@ChristinaMaterna]

I would watch the shit out of that! Try watching Round The Twist 🤣

[@klofin]

"Took part of his skull", brought to you by Bosley Hair restoration. Bwahaha. You legend. Allegedly.

[@zaqzilla1]

I'm with you Fact Boy. The odds of me being a victim of a violent crime where I live are slim to none, but I still lock my doors. I think that says something about me though.

[@GreenGrasshoppa]

I live 45 mins out from a small town in northern Canada. My home is literally at the end of a dead end dirt road. I have a rottie and a terrier. I lock my doors at night. 👍😉

[@manasijpalchowdhury4761]

I think this video warrants a sequel, discussing events based on the book 'The Man from the Train' by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy. They discuss some other similar axe murders, postulating that they were all committed by the same person, who may have also been responsible for the Hinterkaifeck farm murders.

[@joggingscissors632]

I always look forward to these. Thanks for another self-deprecating dive into the worst of humanity. *munching popcorn* "Hey, at least I'm not as evil as that plank."

[@raypelser7606]

About covering the windows and mirrors: It weirdly sounds like a shiva tradition (jewish mourning traditions)... In Ashkenazi households we cover all reflective surfaces during the mourning period, especially immediately after the death. Something to consider re: the mindset of the killer; covering the reflective surfaces is believed to stop you from looking at yourself and reflecting on yourself. So well it is worth considering it could be a part of a tradition the killer was following, it might also be a psychological reaction to crime they committed if they were the type of person who felt guilt over their actions ...

[@LadyBugIx]

FINALLY!! I have missed the rambling of Fact Boi and his reading of The Writer from the Basement's scripts... so good!

[@pineforest1442]

I like hearing skeptics talk about ghosts. Brings some reality back to the situation.

[@davenoppe8574]

Simon should do a channel called “Random Tangents” with just random tangents.

[@catherinehaven7015]

It’s called ‘Brain Blaze’, my dude.

[@jordikostiuk8471]

@@catherinehaven7015 Ahahahaha Beat me to it!! Legend

[@dascorncakes1151]

so every channel?

[@ceirwynsinclair]

Wait.... would he stay on track then?

[@taranullius9221]

Brain Blaze is such a random tangent that even its name is a random tangent. Business Blaze > Brain Blaze. Next I petition for Bald Blaze.

[@LtColShingSides]

I love these longer episodes. I'm driving now, more than ever, for work so these keep my entertained during the work day.

[@MRPandoraHartDR]

It doesn't surprise me that the killer covered the mirrors, the practice of doing that after a death in the family was especially common in the Victorian days due to the superstition the deceased's spirit could get trapped in a mirror and not being able to pass to the other side, torment the living- and the last thing the killer wanted was to risk trapping the spirit of one of his murder victims as they would likely he probably thought, want to take their revenge on him. And if the killer hadn't done it, then the townsfolk would have made sure the house was put into mourning this way anyway.

[@cindytartt4048]

No, it’s not just superstition but about avoiding vanity, or the perception of it (they’re called vanity mirrors for a reason) during the official mourning period. Usually black shrouds. After all, mourning, for women, involved a hat with black tulle or lace to hide the face & the mirror is simply an image of this.

[@junejunejuniejune]

The axeman of New Orleans also used the axes of the victims to murder them. Same with the Hinterkaifeck axe murderer. Axes are very heavy, and most (if not all) households back then had one, so it actually makes a lot of sense that the murderer did not bring his own axe to the crime scene! He knew there would be one available outside.

[@empressoftheknownuniverse]

Simon's best asides paraphrased: why are you crazy? what is wrong with you? Why did you write it down?

[@levijack1947]

Simon, I absolutely love that you bash on ghosts and the supernatural! I've started using your phrase "but it's not real is it," and the believers around me get flustered haha!

[@stigmaoftherose]

It's OK Simon, I went to a Christian high-school with both those sects of Christianity among others and I have no clue what the differnce between them or most others are either.

[@bradyanselmi]

It reminds me of that Star Trek episode when these two groups of aliens are at war because of religious differences. The difference: “we believe the world was created in 7 days and they believe it was created in 8!” 😂😂😂

[@DavidGarcia-vb7rl]

Simon: don't be so disorganized The killer: sure I'll plan my murder better thanks for the tip. 🤦‍♂️

[@dismothafuka405]

Richard Pryor: Why did you kill everyone in the house Killer: because they were home.

[@chrisp6339]

I really enjoy these videos and how you dismiss all the ghost BS. The facts are creepy enough without adding the ghost crap.

[@MegaCatGirl13]

Covering mirrors was a Victorian funerary practice, actually. It was thought the soul of the deceased might appear in mirrors to beckon their family to follow them.

[@charlesfarley28]

As a native of Des Moines (515 represent!) and having had personally ventured to Villisca, I can tell you the house itself is hardly anything to write home about but it's still the most notable thing in what is otherwise a dinky little town even by an Iowa metric.

[@MRoderick89]

The Michael Jackson part nearly killed me as I was taking a drink at that exact moment 😂

[@Richie291-]

I’m from Villisca. I grew up there and have lived there all my life. You are pronouncing it right.

[@markcarpenter6020]

I know you like the preacher angle but there actually was a fair bit of evidence of a serial killer in the area. And a drifter would explain the Bacon. He was taking some food and forgot it when he left. Also in that time period it was common to cover mirrors and and reflective surface in homes that had dead bodies. Superstition was that a soul could accidentally become trapped in them so covering the mirrors was likely more a sign of twisted respect (like covering the heads of the bodies) than an expression of guilt. And for the record while the preacher was a weirdo there was actually good reason he was aquited. I looked into this year's ago and while I don't remember all the details my final conclusion was the preacher was a handy weirdo to use as a scapegoat. I honestly think a drifter killing them while passing through town is more likely.

[@jadeekelgor2588]

I am from the area where this happened in southwest Iowa. The whole bit about the bacon has more to do with a male sexuially gratifying himself than was reported. It is assumed the stranger knew about the girls sleepover and this was the motivation. Well, as for the actuially killings. In farm communities animals like pigs were slain like this, but again it is common knowledge ofvthe day. Iowa Public Television did a special on this back on the anniversary. It would be well worth watching as it went into much detail. As far as the house. A tourist stop...and also a a way to make money by letting folks sleep over for a fee. But really....would you sleep in a bedroom where you knew this had happened. The best soulition I found was the preacher, who showed up for the children's service, and seen the girls go to the house, possibly overhearing the plans to sleepover. And...well you know the reputation preachers have when it comes to sexuial deviance. Yes, you did pronounce the name correctly.

[@paytonlacroix2297]

I died laughing at the gavel coming down making the squeaky noise! Jen is awesome!

[@faerierain7536]

I just had my heart broken by finishing a great book, video is great for a rebound 😂

[@empressoftheknownuniverse]

May I please ask which book?

[@incredibleflameboy]

I can't recommend the terror by Dan Simmons enough to anybody needing something new to read.

[@faerierain7536]

@@empressoftheknownuniverse It’s the first book of the On My Own series by Carrie Ann Ryan. One of my absolute favorite authors, but fair warning, she won’t hesitate to kill off amazing characters.

[@empressoftheknownuniverse]

@@faerierain7536 Thank you for the recom. I've been reading guys named Marcus: Tullius and Aurelius. Suitable for quiet introspection, but not nearly as much fun as my wild university days. Although, that is where I met them... A quick google search later, and yes. Yes, I'll give that a read. 😄

[@faerierain7536]

@@incredibleflameboy Oh my gosh, I think my brother has that book. I moved out at 16, so heaven knows where it is, but I swear it was one of the books he talked about for a couple years.

[@victoriacyunczyk]

With all this talk about Halloween attractions, I'm glad no one has opened a drive-through haunted house.

[@mowm88]

Ahhhhh--Bill James wrote about this one, in the book Man From the Train. Meeting of the minds, Simon and Bill.

[@mowm88]

Spoiler alert--German immigrant dude is Bill's suspect. Don't think Simon mentioned him.

[@piperjaycie]

I was waiting for him to mention the Paul Mueller theory. I know it’s pretty recent but still important and a valid theory.

[@YeetoLavito]

I respect Simon immensely for not going along with the ghost stuff.

[@googlewreckedit]

Another fine installment of Simon's Top Tips for Criminals.

[@chelseaeldeen7728]

Hi, native Iowan here! I live about a 3hr drive from Villisca, you're pronouncing it correctly! Today's population is about 1,100. If you want to learn more about Villisca and the other murders that were likely done by the same guy between 1898 and 1912, I highly recommend the book The Man From The Train, it's a fascinating read. :)

[@jeffashley5512]

I've seen a compelling case that names Paul Mueller as the serial killer. I saw a two part series 'Man From The Train' that delivers a good case of Mueller as the killer and having 100+ victims. The book by Bill James is well researched and compelling.

[@TheBadDesperado]

Ah, Bedtime Stories :D

[@katthawthorne1027]

Hi, I'm new to the channel! Your absolute, immediate dismissal of the idea that ghosts are real makes me like this channel all the more. It's positively refreshing!

[@OlympusTimes]

I love how all Simon's Adverts are like "Here's some food I can't even get in my resident country" and "here's some hair loss supplement I'm not gonna whxre myself for because I'm confident bald."

[@kevinstryker6440]

Simon, involuntary flock, I assume that means the preacher dude was on the corner of the street shouting "jesus speak" at the townsfolk.

[@kayleighfuria819]

Seeing as the video came out on November 12th that's close enough to Halloween and i just imagine jen putting this video as a top priority to edit just to prove simon wrong. 12 days after Halloween with the amount of content the team posts is pretty damn impressive

[@IlRyanWilsonlI]

Simon is a psychic skeptic while being a secret psychic lol

[@The_Pewkachu]

I wish I remembered to "like" more often. These are my absolute favorite of your channels... which may, or may not, speak volumes about me.

[@TheGrinningViking]

"I'm not hoping for your death Callum, just to be clear that was sarcasm." - J F C Simon what the flaming heck

[@LiveForTheRhythm]

Jen that Manson clip got me. Not a slient lol. I audibly laughed and had to cover my mouth. Excellent!

[@owendonovan50]

It’s always a good day when Simon uploads!

[@Fireflysinthegrass]

Im really shocked more people here havent read the man from the train, its about as well supported a solution as this is for number of cases

[@shelso1300]

That shirt looks rediculously soft and comfy. Oh, and nice read!

[@IllyDragonfly]

Callum is such a savage, roasting the creators who make videos about 'ghost' appearances XDDD

[@bailey2913]

Hi Simon, was wondering if you and Callum might be able to do one of these about Dave Legeno who was an English actor who starred in films like Lock stock, Harry Potter and Elizabeth the golden age among others. He was found dead in Death Valley Arizona in 2014. I knew him as he was local to me. It would be cool if you could 😬. Ps loving your stuff so far 👍🏼

[@914badass]

Has anyone else been marathoning the casual criminalist.

[@DerptyDerptyDUM]

OK, so did anyone else immediately think of Reverend "YOU'RE GONNA DIE IN THERE" Kane from Poltergeist 2? 😬

[@RejectedInch]

Yes. XD

[@aaronfannin8174]

Simon, there's a semi-dystopian sci-fi show that's pretty much exactly what you were starting to describe with the technology to detect criminals. It's called Psycho-Pass, and it's about a society where robots scan people's brains to see if they're capable of committing a crime. It's from the perspective of the police who work with the program, as well as their "Reinforcers" (aka former criminal slaves that help them catch other criminals). Idk if you watch anime, but if you're still looking for something new to watch, it's fantastic.

[@VoodooAngel63]

I'm from the area, Simon, and you are pronouncing Villisca correctly. Population is a little higher than four people...maybe about five and a half.

[@catherinehaven7015]

And they are almost all named “Chris”

[@Jadzo87]

What about the robot ?

[@requious84]

“A little knifey accident in the kitchen” 😂😂😂 so very britishly insulting. Plot twist will be when Simon one day has a supernatural experience he can’t explain.