Lizzie Borden Trial Unsolved Mystery

Timeline Andrew Borden ran a few errands on the morning of August 4th and returned at 10:45. Around 11:15, his youngest daughter, Lizzie, found him dead on the sofa in the sitting room downstairs and called out to the maid, Bridget Sullivan, to go get Dr. Bowen who lived across the street. Neighbors came to sit with Lizzie while waiting for the police and doctor to arrive. One family friend and Bridget went upstairs looking for Mrs. Borden and found her on the floor dead from head trauma like her husband. Police interviewed Bridget and Lizzie who were the only two people in the house at the time besides the victims. Lizzie was their prime suspect. Important facts

Lizzie Borden

• Had a difficult relationship with her stepmother. • Was at home at the time of the murders. • Tried to get Bridget out of the house by telling her about a sale in town. • Had a difficult relationship with her stepmother. • Changed her alibi several times. • Showed no emotion at the crime scene or the trial. • Had a fight with her father about some property he was leaving to a family member. • Burned the dress she was said to be wearing at the time of the murders. • Two days before the murders she tried to buy prussic acid (cynanide). This was not presented at trial. • No blood on her clothes, hair, or skin. • Had been given a sedative before she was interviewed by the police.

One theory is that Lizzie did not get any blood on her clothing because she removed them and committed the murders in the nude. Then she hastily redressed, careful not to get any blood on her dress.

Police had found this hatchet with a broken handle in the basement, but it showed no sign of blood. Forensics experts testified that it would have taken the killer too long to clean it. Andrew's body was still warm when it was discovered. Similarly, it was argued that it would have taken too long for Lizzie to have changed her bloody clothing and returned to "discover" the body.

Emma Borden

Emma Borden Rarely left the house but was out of town the day of the murders. Like Lizzie, her relationship with her parents had deteriorated so much she routinely ate in her room instead of with her parents.

Andrew Borden

Was wealthy but did not spend his money on his family. Their house was small and had no hot water. The one bathroom was in the basement. Had a reputation for being a shrewd businessman with many enemies.

Abby Borden

John Morse Brother of Lizzie and Emma’s mother. Lawyer who was visiting the family at the time of the murders. He was running errands and visiting friends at the time of the murders. He was redoing Andrew Borden’s will at the time and was going to receive the summer house that had sentimental value to the sisters. This was thought to be the motive for the murders.

One theory is that although John Morse had been out of the house when the murders occurred he could have been hiding in the basement then, alone or with Lizzie's help, killed the Bordens. It is speculated that Emma was also included in this conspiracy.

Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan People who felt Bridget committed the crimes thought Bridget Sullivan was angry for being asked to clean windows on an oppressively hot day. She had been sick with food poisoning the previous day.  Perhaps she snapped under the pressure and killed her employers.

William Borden One theory is that William Borden, an alleged illegitimate half-brother of Lizzie and Emma, committed the murders out of revenge after his father failed to submit to his extortion demands. 

Alice Russell

Adelaide Churchill

Hosea Knowlton

William Moody

George Robinson Lead defense attorney Former governor of Massachusetts who successfully cast doubt on the evidence in the case.

Andrew Jennings Defense attorney

Borden House

Floor Plan

Backyard and Barn

Courtroom

After the trial, Lizzie and Emma used their inheritance to buy a much larger house in Fall River, which they named Maplecroft. They lived together there until 1905 when, after an argument over a party Lizzie had thrown for actress Nance O’Neil, Emma moved out. Lizzie remained in Maplecroft until her death in 1927.