The Lizzie Borden case remains one of the most infamous unsolved murders in American history.
On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally killed with an ax in their Fall River, Massachusetts home.
Their daughter Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted of the murders, but the case continues to fascinate the public over a century later.
The gruesome crime scene at the Borden house on Second Street shocked the community.
Andrew Borden was found dead on the living room sofa, while his wife Abby’s body was discovered upstairs.
The maid Bridget Sullivan was home at the time, and Lizzie alerted her to her father’s body.
The murder weapon, believed to be a hatchet, was never conclusively identified.
Lizzie Borden’s trial in 1893 became a media sensation.
Despite her acquittal, many still believe she committed the crimes.
The case spawned a famous rhyme about Lizzie giving her mother “40 whacks.”
The Borden home has since become a macabre tourist attraction, drawing those intrigued by the enduring mystery surrounding that fateful August day in 1892.
Background of the Borden Family
The Borden family’s history in Fall River, Massachusetts, provides crucial context for the infamous 1892 murders.
Their circumstances, living arrangements, and relationships shaped the events that unfolded.
Andrew Borden and Family
Andrew Borden was a successful businessman in Fall River.
He married Sarah Morse in 1845, and they had three daughters: Emma, Alice, and Lizzie.
Sarah died in 1863, and Andrew remarried Abby Gray in 1865.
Andrew was known for his frugality despite his wealth. This trait caused tension in the household, particularly with his daughters.
The family dynamics were complex.
Lizzie and Emma never fully accepted their stepmother Abby. They referred to her as “Mrs. Borden” rather than “Mother.”
The Borden House on Second Street
The Borden family resided at 92 Second Street in Fall River.
The house was modest compared to Andrew’s wealth and social status.
It lacked modern amenities like indoor plumbing, which was unusual for a family of their means. The cramped living quarters added to the family’s tensions.
The house’s layout played a significant role in the murder investigation.
Its small size made it difficult to believe an intruder could have committed the crimes undetected.
Lizzie Borden’s Early Life
Lizzie Andrew Borden was born on July 19, 1860.
She grew up in a respectable, middle-class environment in Fall River.
As a young woman, Lizzie was active in church and temperance societies.
She taught Sunday school and participated in Christian charitable organizations.
Despite her family’s wealth, Lizzie felt constrained by the social expectations of her time.
She never married and lived with her parents well into adulthood.
Lizzie’s relationship with her father was complicated.
While she depended on him financially, there were reports of disagreements, particularly over Andrew’s property dealings with Abby’s relatives.
The Murders of August 4, 1892
On August 4, 1892, a shocking double murder took place in Fall River, Massachusetts. Andrew Borden and his wife Abby were brutally killed with an ax in their own home. The crime shocked the community and sparked a sensational investigation.
Timeline of the Crime
The murders occurred in the morning hours.
Around 9:00 AM, Abby Borden was attacked upstairs in the guest bedroom.
Andrew Borden returned home around 10:30 AM after running errands in town. He settled on the sofa in the sitting room for a nap.
At approximately 11:10 AM, Lizzie Borden allegedly discovered her father’s body.
She called out to the family’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, who was resting in her attic room.
The police were summoned shortly after. They arrived to find a gruesome scene, with both victims having suffered multiple violent blows to their heads.
Abby Borden’s Death
Abby Borden, Andrew’s second wife and Lizzie’s stepmother, was the first victim.
She was found face-down on the floor of the upstairs guest bedroom.
The 64-year-old woman had been struck repeatedly with a sharp, heavy object. The autopsy revealed she suffered 18 or 19 blows to the back of her head and neck.
Investigators determined Abby was likely killed while making the bed or tidying the room.
The savage nature of the attack suggested deep anger or hatred toward the victim.
Andrew Borden’s Assassination
Andrew Borden, a 70-year-old prominent businessman, was killed about 90 minutes after his wife.
He was attacked while napping on the downstairs sofa.
The assailant struck Andrew 11 times with an ax-like weapon.
The blows were so forceful that his left eyeball was split in half.
His face was unrecognizable due to the severity of the injuries.
Blood spatter evidence indicated the killer stood directly over Andrew as they delivered the fatal blows.
The brutality of both murders shocked even seasoned investigators.
The crime scene was described as one of the most violent they had ever encountered.
Investigation and Trial
The Borden murders sparked an extensive police investigation and a highly publicized trial.
Key aspects included the search for physical evidence, interrogation of suspects, and dramatic courtroom proceedings that captivated the nation.
Suspects and Evidence
Police immediately focused on Lizzie Borden as the primary suspect.
They searched the Borden house for physical evidence, including bloodstained clothing and potential murder weapons.
A hatchet head was found in the basement, though it lacked traces of blood.
Investigators questioned Lizzie about her whereabouts and activities on August 4, 1892.
Her inconsistent statements and strange behavior raised suspicions.
The maid, Bridget Sullivan, provided crucial testimony about the household’s activities that day.
No eyewitnesses to the crime were found.
The lack of blood on Lizzie’s clothing was notable, given the brutal nature of the attacks.
Lizzie Borden’s Acquittal
The trial began on June 5, 1893, in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, emphasizing Lizzie’s opportunity and potential motive.
The defense team, led by former Massachusetts governor George Robinson, effectively challenged the prosecution’s case.
They highlighted the lack of direct evidence linking Lizzie to the murders.
After a 13-day trial and deliberations lasting only 90 minutes, the all-male jury acquitted Lizzie Borden of all charges. The verdict was met with applause in the courtroom.
Public Reaction and Aftermath
The trial and acquittal generated intense public interest and debate.
Many believed Lizzie was guilty despite the verdict, leading to her social ostracism in Fall River.
The case inspired numerous books, films, and even a popular rhyme: “Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks…”
Lizzie and her sister Emma inherited their father’s estate.
They purchased a new home in Fall River, which Lizzie named “Maplecroft.” She lived there until her death in 1927.
The unsolved nature of the murders continues to fascinate researchers and true crime enthusiasts, with various theories proposed over the years.
Cultural Impact
The Lizzie Borden case left an indelible mark on American popular culture.
It spawned a famous children’s rhyme and inspired numerous works of fiction, film, and television.
The Lizzie Borden Rhyme
A macabre nursery rhyme emerged from the Borden murders, capturing public fascination with the case. The rhyme goes:
“Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty-one”
This rhyme, while inaccurate in its details, became widely known across the United States. It exaggerated the number of blows inflicted on the victims, as Abby Borden received 19 strikes and Andrew Borden 11.
Media and Literature
The Borden case inspired numerous books, plays, and films. Authors and filmmakers explored various theories about the murders and Lizzie’s possible motives.
Notable works include the 1975 television film “The Legend of Lizzie Borden” starring Elizabeth Montgomery.
Several novels fictionalized the events, such as “See What I Have Done” by Sarah Schmidt. The case also featured in true crime literature, with detailed examinations of the evidence and trial proceedings.
Television series like “The Lizzie Borden Chronicles” reimagined Lizzie’s life after her acquittal, further cementing her place in popular culture.
These adaptations often speculated on unanswered questions surrounding the murders.