Lizzie Borden remains one of the most notorious figures in American crime history. Born in 1860 in Fall River, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Andrew and Sarah Borden, who died when Lizzie was young. In 1892, the brutal murders of her father and stepmother shocked the nation and turned the quiet mill town into the epicenter of media attention. Though Borden was acquitted, the case became a lasting cultural touchstone, inspiring books, films, and even a haunting nursery rhyme. More than a century later, her story continues to fascinate those drawn to its blend of violence, gender politics, and mystery.
Early Life in Fall River
Jul. 22, 2021; Fall River, MA, USA; Photos of a young Lizzie Borden are framed on a mantelpiece at the Lizzie Borden House; Mandatory Credit: Dan Medeiros-USA Today Network The Herald News
Lizzie Borden grew up in a strict, religious household. Lizzie’s mother Sarah died when Lizzie was 2, and Andrew remarried in 1865 to Abby Gray. Andrew Borden was wealthy but extremely frugal, choosing to live modestly despite his fortune in mills and real estate. Lizzie and her older sister, Emma, often clashed with their father, particularly over money and living conditions. Lizzie, especially, knew the family could afford to live in a nicer part of town. A member of the Central Congregational Church, Lizzie was known locally for her charity work and teaching Sunday school. Yet beneath the surface of respectability, the Borden home was marked by emotional distance and growing resentment that would later become part of the case’s enduring intrigue.
The Murders of 1892
August 5, 2021; Fall River, MA, USA; From the stairs to the second floor at the Lizzie Borden House, people can see the spot on the other side of this bed where Abby Borden was found slain; Mandatory Credit: Dan Medeiros-USA Today Network
On the morning of August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found brutally slain in their Fall River home. Andrew had been struck repeatedly while resting on a sitting-room couch; Abby’s body was discovered upstairs, killed about an hour earlier. There was no sign of forced entry, no robbery and no witnesses. Only Lizzie and the family maid, Bridget Sullivan, were at home. Suspicion quickly fell on Lizzie after inconsistencies appeared in her statements and police learned she had attempted to buy poison the day before. Investigators later found a hatchet head in the cellar, suspected to be the murder weapon. Despite public shock and speculation, hard physical evidence was scarce. One of the stranger aspects was the almost complete lack of blood on Lizzie, save for a small spot on her dress’ hem. She explained that (and a pile of cloths with blood on them in the cellar) was a stain from menstruation.
Trial and Acquittal
August 5, 2021; Fall River, MA, USA; a replica of the couch where Andrew Borden was slain, inside the Lizzie Borden House; Mandatory Credit: Dan Medeiros-USA Today Network
Lizzie Borden’s trial began in June 1893 and captivated national audiences, with reporters and spectators crowding the courtroom. Prosecutors argued she had motive, opportunity and access to the likely weapon. The defense countered that there was no blood-stained clothing, no confirmed murder weapon and no witnesses. Borden’s calm demeanor and social standing worked in her favor, as many believed a refined woman could not commit such violent acts. After fewer than two hours of deliberation, an all-male jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Though she was legally cleared, the verdict divided public opinion and left her reputation permanently shadowed by suspicion.
Life After the Trial
August 5, 2021, Fall River, MA, USA: The Lizzie Borden House on Second Street operates as a bed and breakfast, with house tours and ghost tours. Mandatory Credit: Dan Medeiros-USA Today Network
Following her acquittal, Lizzie Borden remained in Fall River, where she and Emma purchased a large home that they named Maple Croft. Despite her wealth, she lived under a cloud of social isolation, shunned by many in the community. Over time, Lizzie withdrew from public life, although she occasionally traveled and entertained friends. In 1905, the sisters had a falling out, and Emma moved away; the two never spoke again. Lizzie died of pneumonia on June 1, 1927, at age 66. Her sister Emma, then 76, fractured her hip and died nine days after Lizzie. Both were buried beside their father and stepmother in Fall River.
The Legend Endures
April 6, 2023: Fall River MA, USA: The Lizzie Borden House Bed and Breakfast in Fall River has done some upgrades and renovations. Mandatory Credit: Colin Furze-USA Today Networks
The Borden case became one of the most famous in American history, symbolizing the era’s fascination with crime, class and gender. Fall River’s deep social divisions between immigrant laborers and the established Protestant residents shaped how the public viewed the case. Over the years, the story has been retold in novels, films, an opera and even a ballet. The “forty whacks” rhyme that immortalized Lizzie distorted some facts; Abby was her stepmother, not her mother, and the weapon was a hatchet, not an axe; but its rhythm ensured her lasting infamy. Today, the Borden home operates as a bed and breakfast, drawing visitors eager to explore the mystery that still haunts American folklore.
Sources: Britannica, Smithsonian Magazine, CBS News
