Paranormal enthusiast stabs himself at Iowa's 'Ax Murder House'

VILLISCA, Iowa, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A man who was visiting an Iowa house where eight people were murdered more than a century ago was hospitalized after stabbing himself.

Robert Steven Laursen Jr., of Rhinelander, Wisconsin suffered injuries that were self-inflicted, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

At the time, Laursen, 37, was visiting the Villisca Ax Murder House, the site where two adults and six children were brutally murdered in 1912. The killings remain unsolved.

The home, which was made into a tourist attraction, is popular with paranormal investigators.

Current owner Martha Linn offers overnight stays at the house, accompanied by tour guides, and told the Omaha World-Herald that nothing like a stabbing has ever happened since she acquired the home 20 years ago.

"It's kind of shocking to wake up and hear that someone has nearly died at your tourist attraction," Linn said.

According to investigators, Laursen was alone inside one of the rooms in the house shortly before 1 a.m. Friday when the stabbing happened.

Because there is no indication of foul play, no charges are expected, authorities said.

Laursen's condition is not being released, hospital officials said.