Fall River, Massachusetts – On this historic day, August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden, the father and stepmother of 32-year-old Lizzie Borden, suffered a horrifying murder. Lizzie Borden, who later faced trial and societal isolation, was accused of using a hatchet as the deadly weapon. This sensationalized tale, which has been depicted in various forms of media, remains an unsolved mystery even after 131 years. Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the double homicides after 10 months since their occurrence.
According to Jack Sheridan, a tour guide at The Historic Lizzie Borden House, this case garnered national attention due to the brutality of the attack, as Andrew Borden was a wealthy man. The public has always shown interest in the murder of wealthy individuals in America, and this crime was no exception. In June 1893, Lizzie Borden stood trial for the killings of her father and stepmother, ultimately gaining her acquittal.
The incident took place in Fall River, a small town in eastern Massachusetts, on Second Street, sometime between 9 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. Lizzie Borden’s mother passed away in her childhood, and her father, a businessman, remarried Abby Borden. At the time of the murders, Lizzie Borden’s older sister, Emma Borden, was reportedly not present in the house. The only people in the house, aside from the victims, were Lizzie and the family’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, also known as Maggie.
Reportedly, Abby Borden went upstairs to make a bed in a room shared with Lizzie Borden’s uncle, John Morse. During the morning, Abby Borden was attacked with an ax-like weapon. The head of the murder weapon was later discovered in the basement of the Borden home. Upon Andrew Borden’s return, after running errands, he was also murdered on the couch. Some sources estimate that the couple may have been struck between 10 to 20 times.
During the trial, the maid, Bridget Sullivan, testified that she had come back inside the house after washing windows. She let Andrew Borden inside when he couldn’t unlock the door. As she struggled with the door, she claimed to have heard Lizzie Borden laughing from the top of the stairs. Standing at the top of the stairs, Lizzie Borden would have had a clear view of Abby Borden’s lifeless body on the ground, leading many to argue her potential guilt.
The response from the police during the investigation was heavily criticized. The day of the murders coincided with the Fall River police’s annual picnic, resulting in a significant portion of the department, including experienced officers, being absent. Jack Sheridan finds it intriguing that the choice of committing the crime on August 4th would have likely seemed opportunistic to a criminal. Additionally, he believes that Andrew Borden was not the intended target but inadvertently walked into a crime scene upon his unexpected early return home.
Several factors point towards Lizzie Borden’s potential guilt. Witness testimonies, such as her failed attempt to purchase poison for cleaning and her burning of a dress immediately after the incident, raise suspicion. Nevertheless, Lizzie Borden was arrested on August 11, 1892, for the murders of her father and stepmother. She was later found not guilty by a jury consisting of 12 men.
Although Lizzie Borden was acquitted, the question of her involvement in the murders remains unresolved. The evidence presented during the trial was largely circumstantial. Jack Sheridan emphasizes the oppressive societal norms faced by women during the 19th century and how this context should be considered when looking at the case. The Borden family, including Lizzie Borden, rests in a cemetery plot in Oak Grove. The Historic Lizzie Borden House has now been transformed into a bed and breakfast, offering visitors the opportunity to delve into this infamous true crime story.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
