The Most Terrifying Unsolved Ax Crimes Of All Time

Many of us hold hope that if something bad happens, the criminals are caught and put behind bars. Sadly, that’s not always the case. In fact, the most terrifying unsolved ax crimes of all time prove there have been plenty of times that something terrible has happened and no one has ever been held accountable.

For years, ax crimes were so common that it was almost expected people would try to use the weapon to end someone’s life. The tool was widely available and meant people could be in and out of the crime scene in just a few moments. While it can be tough to imagine what it’s like to be involved in such a violent crime, many have sadly never been brought to justice for their actions.

1. The Hinterkaifeck crimes saw an entire family lose their lives

Andreas Gruber was the one to find mysterious footsteps in the snow toward his home in the Bavarian countryside as well as a newspaper no one remembered buying and a missing key. Although he told his neighbors, Andreas never informed the police, which later hindered the investigation into one of the most terrifying ax crimes of all time. On April 4, 1922, a local farmer noticed no one had seen the Griber family in days. Inside, Andreas, his wife, their daughter, their two grandchildren, and their maid had all lost their lives in an ax slaying. Reports claim the family was lured one by one to their passing and someone lived in the house for days due to chimney smoke that was spotted and how the family’s pets had been fed. No one was ever convicted, but police believe the criminal might have been secretly living in the house for some time before the crime. 

2. The Borden crime is one of the most terrifying unsolved ax crimes

The late-19th century saw Andrew Borden become one of the wealthiest people in Fall River, Massachusetts. He was known to be frugal and unlikable and lived with his wife, Abby, his two daughters, Lizzie and Emma, and the family’s maid, Bridget Sullivan. A daytime burglary meant tensions were high as Andrew always accused Lizzie of the crime. Everything changed on August 4, 1892, when Lizzie returned home to find Andrew had lost his life in a terrifying ax crime. Although she woke Bridget - who was alive - she discovered that Abby had also lost her life. The police immediately suspected Lizzie was guilty and accused her of the crimes. However, bringing Andrew and Abby’s skulls as evidence to the trial caused her to faint and seemed to be all the jury needed to decide she was not guilty. Although she was cleared, Lizzie has long been assumed as the one behind one of the most terrifying unsolved ax crimes.

3. The Austin Ax Crimes is still one of the most terrifying unsolved ax crimes of all time

Mollie Smith was sleeping on December 30, 1884, when she was dragged from her bed through the snow and had her life ended with an ax. Her boyfriend was also harmed but survived, and Austin, Texas, was left shaken as no one expected the random attack or knew who it could be, not knowing it would soon be part of the most terrifying unsolved ax crimes of all time. Two women lost their lives in the months following Mollie’s passing, and police knew there was a serial criminal on the loose. Several more victims lost their lives the following year, including Mary Ramey, Gracie Vance, Eula Phillips, and Susan Hancock. Police accused several people, with the criminal known to target domestic servants. Still, no one was ever tried for the slayings. Now, several people believe it might have been none other than Jack the Ripper, who could have been practicing in Austin before moving to London. 

4. No one has been brought to justice for the Villisca crimes

Going down as the worst crime in Iowa history is none other than the Villisca crimes. The Moore family, Sarah and Josiah and their four children, invited their two friends, Ina and Lena Stillinger, to stay the night, but neighbors were concerned when they didn’t hear anything the next day. Sadly, investigating the home uncovered all eight people sleeping in the house had lost their lives to an ax found at the scene. A coroner later reported they believe someone took a tour of the place, ending each of their lives one by one, before covering all the mirrors and glass with a cloth. This was among covering the victims’ faces at some point. Sadly, news spreading so fast meant that police couldn’t contain the crime scene and lost most of the evidence. In the end, no one could be certain who was behind the Villisca crimes.

The most terrifying unsolved ax crimes of all time all seem to share one trait: someone wanted these people gone as fast - and as violently as possible. While we might never have answers to the horrific acts from the past, the victims and their lives will never be forgotten.