Ichabod Crane is sent to investigate a series of murders in Sleepy Hollow, New York in 1799 where victims are found beheaded. The villagers claim the murderer is the Headless Horseman, a supernatural figure. Crane ignores this at first and uses scientific techniques to investigate. He develops feelings for Katrina Van Tassel. With the help of orphan Masbath, they discover the Horseman's grave is a portal between worlds. Crane eventually learns Lady Van Tassel is behind the murders to claim land, and returns the Horseman's skull to stop the killings. Crane, Katrina and Masbath then leave for New York to start new lives.