What is at the heart of our fears? We may be afraid to encounter a supernatural specter or a creature from beyond our reality and understanding, or an agent of evil from a more earthly realm, but in either case, what we actually fear is the potential for harm to come to us or our loved ones. The deadly violence that visits randomly and one we are powerless to stop. Ironically, our tendency as humans is also to become fascinated by what scares us. We seek to glimpse into the darkness not only as a vicarious thrill but also as a means of coping. It is why we find fun in traditions like Halloween and for some, indulging our curiosity in the exploits of serial killers. As we put to bed the story of the Villisca ax murders, we find that it is a story that contains all the elements of our primal dread. Acts so horrible they left scars and echoes in the worlds of the living and the dead. Our guest tonight, author Troy Taylor, helps us piece together the facts and makes a strong case that the killer who committed the shocking murders in Villisca quite likely left a trail of death throughout the Midwest with as many as 30 victims or more. In the end, what we learn is that there is more to fear from a monster made of flesh and blood. This was a monster that randomly and wantonly tore flesh and spilled blood, one who was all too real, and one that was never caught.

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