Lizzie Borden

American Murder Suspect, Acquitted (1860–1927)

Lizzie Andrew Borden (July 19, 1860 – June 1, 1927) is perhaps one of the most infamous figures in American true crime history. She was tried and acquitted for the brutal axe murders of her father and stepmother on August 4, 1892, in Fall River, Massachusetts. This case has captivated the public’s imagination for over a century, sparking countless theories, adaptations in popular culture, and a persistent aura of mystery. Despite being acquitted, Lizzie lived the remainder of her life under a cloud of suspicion and societal ostracism. She passed away from pneumonia at the age of 66, just days before the death of her older sister, Emma.

Quick Facts

Born	July 19, 1860, Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	June 1, 1927 (aged 66), Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
Resting Place	Oak Grove Cemetery
Other Names	Lizbeth Borden
Known For	Suspected homicide of father and stepmother

The Borden murders and subsequent trial garnered sensational publicity in the United States, embedding Lizzie's story into the fabric of American culture through films, theatrical productions, literary works, and even folk rhymes rooted in the Fall River area.

Early Life

Born into a family of modest means that eventually amassed considerable wealth, Lizzie Andrew Borden was the daughter of Sarah Anthony Borden (née Morse; 1823–1863) and Andrew Jackson Borden (1822–1892). Andrew Borden himself was of English and Welsh descent and had a rags-to-riches story—starting from humble beginnings, he became a well-known figure in the manufacturing of furniture and caskets and a successful property developer. By the time of his murder, his estate was valued at approximately $300,000 (equivalent to about $10 million today).

Despite their wealth, the Borden household was marked by Andrew's notorious frugality; their home notably lacked indoor plumbing, a luxury enjoyed by many of their affluent neighbors in a more fashionable part of town known as The Hill. Lizzie and her older sister, Emma Lenora Borden (1851–1927), were raised in a devoutly religious environment, attending Central Congregational Church. Lizzie was heavily involved in church activities, teaching Sunday school and participating in organizations like the Christian Endeavor Society and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

After the death of Lizzie's mother, Andrew married Abby Durfee Gray (1828–1892) three years later. Lizzie reportedly viewed her stepmother with suspicion, believing that Abby had married Andrew for his wealth. Their live-in maid, Bridget Sullivan—a 25-year-old Irish immigrant—testified that Lizzie and Emma often dined separately from their parents, which hinted at a strained family dynamic.

Tensions escalated in the months leading up to the murders, particularly over disputes regarding real estate. In July 1892, a family argument led both sisters to take vacations in New Bedford, returning just days before the tragedy. Notably, Andrew had killed several pigeons in the barn, which reportedly upset Lizzie, although the extent of her distress has been debated.

Murders of Andrew and Abby

Thursday, August 4, 1892

On the morning of August 4, the Borden household was stirred by a series of events that would become the focus of a sensational murder trial. John Morse, Lizzie and Emma's uncle, had visited the night before and was present for breakfast alongside Andrew, Abby, and Bridget Sullivan. After a brief chat with Andrew, who left for a morning walk, Morse departed around 8:48 AM, intending to return for lunch.

Abby Borden ascended the stairs between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM to make the bed, only to be brutally attacked. Forensic evidence suggested that she was struck first on the side of her head, leading to a cascade of fatal blows—17 more strikes to the back of her head, leaving her lifeless on the floor.

Andrew returned home around 10:30 AM, struggling with a jammed door. Bridget later recounted hearing Lizzie laughing from upstairs, which was particularly chilling considering Abby's body would have been visible from the stairway. After Bridget let Andrew in and helped him settle for a nap, Lizzie called for her, claiming, "Maggie, come quick! Father’s dead. Somebody came in and killed him."

Andrew was discovered slumped on the couch, having been attacked multiple times with a hatchet-like weapon. His wounds suggested he had been asleep during the assault. The family's physician, Dr. Bowen, arrived shortly after and pronounced both victims dead, with detectives estimating Andrew's death around 11:00 AM.

Investigation

The initial investigation revealed Lizzie’s responses to police questioning as peculiar and contradictory. She first mentioned hearing distressing sounds before entering the house, only to later claim she had heard nothing. When questioned about Abby's whereabouts, Lizzie concocted a story about a note summoning Abby to visit a sick friend.

Bridget testified that she was resting in her third-floor room when Lizzie's frantic call reached her. However, many officers noted Lizzie's calm demeanor, which raised their suspicions. Despite her changing alibis, no bloodstains were found on Lizzie during the cursory search of her room; police later faced criticism for their lack of thoroughness.

In the house's basement, investigators uncovered two hatchets, two axes, and a broken hatchet-head. The latter was suspected to be the murder weapon based on its freshly broken handle and the dusty appearance that seemed to suggest it had been deliberately placed there to mislead investigators. Autopsies revealed no poison in the victims' stomachs, despite earlier illnesses in the household that had raised concerns about poisoning.

On the night following the murders, Lizzie and her friend Alice Russell were observed by police entering the cellar, carrying a kerosene lamp and a slop pail. The following day, police conducted a more thorough search, confiscating the hatchet-head, and Lizzie was informed she was a suspect. In a curious turn of events, Russell witnessed Lizzie tearing up a dress, claiming it was stained with paint. The dress’s connection to the murders was never confirmed.

Inquest

Lizzie’s inquest hearing on August 8 was fraught with tension. She requested her family attorney's presence but was denied under a state statute requiring inquest hearings to be held privately. Prescribed regular doses of morphine may have impacted her testimony, which was erratic and often filled with contradictions. She presented various accounts of her activities that morning, further muddying the waters of her alibi.

On August 11, Lizzie was arrested, and although the inquest testimony was pivotal in shaping public opinion, it was later ruled inadmissible at her trial in June 1893. The media frenzy surrounding the inquest and subsequent trial reflected a growing fascination with the case, marking it as a significant event in American legal history.

Trial and Acquittal

Lizzie's trial began on June 5, 1893, in New Bedford, with a star-studded cast of attorneys on both sides. Notably, the prosecution included Hosea M. Knowlton and William H. Moody, who would later serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, while the defense featured Andrew V. Jennings, Melvin O. Adams, and former Massachusetts Governor George D. Robinson.

Interestingly, just days before the trial commenced, a similar axe murder occurred in Fall River, further fanning the flames of public interest. The trial's discussions often returned to the broken hatchet-head found in the basement, which the prosecution struggled to link decisively to the murders.

Lizzie’s whereabouts during the critical moments of the murders were hotly debated. She claimed to have been in the barn, away from the house when the attacks occurred, while witnesses testified to seeing her in various locations. The jury ultimately took just an hour and a half of deliberation before acquitting Lizzie. Upon leaving the courthouse, she proclaimed she was "the happiest woman in the world."

The trial was a media sensation, drawing comparisons to later high-profile cases like those of Bruno Hauptmann and O.J. Simpson, establishing a new standard for public fascination with courtroom dramas.

Theories

Even after her acquittal, Lizzie remained a prime suspect, and various theories have emerged over the years regarding her guilt or innocence:

Lizzie Borden

One school of thought, espoused by writer Victoria Lincoln in 1967, suggests that Lizzie may have committed the murders while in a fugue state. Other theories propose that she may have been subjected to abuse by her father, which could have driven her to kill him. This notion, however, lacks substantial evidence.

Evan Hunter (better known as Ed McBain) proposed an intriguing narrative in his 1984 novel "Lizzie," suggesting that Lizzie killed Abby after being caught in a compromising situation with Bridget. After confessing to Andrew, he speculated that she killed him in a fit of rage.

John Morse

John Morse, Lizzie's maternal uncle, also attracted suspicion due to his presence in the house the night before the murders and his seemingly perfect alibi. Police considered him a suspect for a time, although he was never formally charged.

"William Borden"

Some have speculated about the existence of an illegitimate son of Andrew named William Borden, who allegedly attempted to extort money from his father. However, extensive research has disproven this connection.

Emma Borden

Emma, who had an alibi in Fairhaven, about 15 miles away, was also scrutinized. Crime writer Frank Spiering posited that she might have secretly returned to commit the murders before quickly returning to Fairhaven to receive news of the tragedy.

Later Life

Following the trial, the Borden sisters moved to a modern house in The Hill neighborhood, where Lizzie began using the name Lizbeth A. Borden. Despite her acquittal, she faced societal ostracism and was later implicated in a shoplifting incident in 1897. Tensions with Emma culminated in Emma moving out in 1905, never to see her sister again.

Death

Lizzie Borden spent her final years in declining health, ultimately succumbing to pneumonia on June 1, 1927. Her funeral was a modest affair with few attendees. Just nine days later, Emma died in Newmarket, New Hampshire, where she had relocated to avoid public scrutiny. Both sisters were buried side by side in the family plot at Oak Grove Cemetery.

At the time of her death, Lizzie’s estate was valued at over $250,000 (around $6 million today). She left significant bequests, including $30,000 to the Fall River Animal Rescue League and $500 for the perpetual care of her father's grave.

In Culture

Lizzie Borden's story has transcended time, taking on a mythic quality in American folklore. Scholar Ann Schofield noted that Borden's narrative often oscillates between tragic romance and feminist quest themes, solidifying its place as a staple of American legend.

The Borden house has been transformed into a museum and operates as a bed and breakfast, allowing visitors to delve into the haunting history of the case. Evidence from the trial, including the infamous hatchet-head, is preserved at the Fall River Historical Society.

Folk Rhyme

The Borden case inspired a popular skipping-rope rhyme, sung to the tune of the catchy "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay":

Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.

Interestingly, folklore suggests this rhyme was created to sell newspapers, although it inaccurately reflects the actual number of blows delivered to the victims.

Depictions

Lizzie Borden’s story has been depicted across various media, including music, radio, film, theater, and television. The legend has inspired numerous adaptations, from stage plays to musicals and TV films. Notable representations include:

• The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975): A television film featuring Elizabeth Montgomery as Lizzie.
• Lizzie (2018): A feature film that explores a romantic relationship between Lizzie and Bridget Sullivan.

The case has been reenacted in documentaries, radio programs, and even a musical, showcasing the enduring fascination with Lizzie Borden and the unsolved mysteries surrounding her life and the infamous murders.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Lizzie Borden