The Lizzie Borden case is one of the most infamous and enduring mysteries in American history, often discussed with a mixture of fascination and horror. The brutal murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in 1892, in Fall River, Massachusetts, have been the subject of countless books, films, and even a popular rhyme that begins, “Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother forty whacks.” Despite the widespread belief that Lizzie was guilty, the truth remains shrouded in ambiguity, leaving her as one of history’s most enigmatic figures.
Lizzie Andrew Borden was born on 19 July 1860, into a wealthy but frugal family. Her father, Andrew Borden, was a successful businessman who owned considerable property and had amassed a significant fortune. However, he was known for his austere lifestyle, which extended to his household, where even basic comforts were kept to a minimum. This frugality caused friction within the family, particularly between Lizzie, her sister Emma, and their stepmother, Abby Borden, whom the sisters never accepted as their true mother.
By the time of the murders, Lizzie was a 32-year-old spinster, still living at home with her father, stepmother, and the family maid, Bridget Sullivan. The Borden household was far from harmonious, with tensions reportedly high in the months leading up to the killings. There were rumours of disputes over inheritance and property, and Lizzie was said to have resented Abby, believing that she was manipulating Andrew to secure a larger share of his estate for her own family.
On the morning of 4 August 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally murdered in their home. Abby was the first to be killed, struck repeatedly with a hatchet while she was making the bed in an upstairs guest room. The ferocity of the attack was shocking—her skull was crushed, and she suffered 19 blows to the head. About an hour and a half later, Andrew Borden was killed in the same brutal manner as he rested on a sofa in the sitting room, his face and skull shattered by at least 10 blows.
Lizzie, who was in the house at the time, discovered her father’s body and alerted Bridget Sullivan and the neighbours. When the police arrived, they were immediately suspicious of Lizzie, although they struggled to find conclusive evidence against her. There were no signs of a break-in, and the murder weapon, a hatchet, was found in the basement, though it had been hastily cleaned. Lizzie’s behaviour also raised eyebrows; she was calm and composed, with an explanation for every query, but her responses were inconsistent and often strange. She claimed to have been in the barn at the time of her father’s murder, but there was no physical evidence to support her statement, and her account of the day’s events varied.
Adding to the suspicion was Lizzie’s attempt to buy prussic acid, a highly toxic substance, from a local chemist a day before the murders. She claimed she needed it to clean a seal-skin cape, but the chemist refused to sell it to her. Furthermore, on the morning after the murders, Lizzie was seen burning a dress in the stove, which she later claimed was stained with paint. The police believed it was the dress she had worn during the killings, and that she was destroying evidence. Despite these suspicions, the initial investigation was marred by the lack of forensic technology and poor handling of the crime scene, making it difficult to build a solid case.
Lizzie was arrested and charged with the murders, leading to one of the most sensational trials of the 19th century. The trial began in June 1893 and quickly became a media sensation, with reporters from across the country covering every detail. Lizzie’s wealth and social standing, combined with the gruesome nature of the crime, made the case particularly compelling. The defence, led by former Massachusetts Governor George D. Robinson, argued that Lizzie could not have committed such a violent act, pointing to her character and reputation as a church-going, respectable woman.
The prosecution, on the other hand, focused on the circumstantial evidence, including Lizzie’s inconsistent statements, her attempt to buy poison, and her decision to burn the dress. They also argued that she was the only person with the motive and opportunity to commit the murders, given the strained relationship with her stepmother and her father’s perceived favouritism towards Abby’s family.
Despite the prosecution’s efforts, the jury was unconvinced. After just 90 minutes of deliberation, they acquitted Lizzie Borden of all charges, citing the lack of direct evidence linking her to the murders. The verdict shocked the public, many of whom believed Lizzie was guilty. However, the jury’s decision reflected the societal norms of the time, where it was difficult to imagine a well-bred woman committing such a heinous crime. The acquittal did not mean that Lizzie was free from suspicion; she remained ostracised in Fall River, where the stigma of the murders followed her for the rest of her life.
After the trial, Lizzie and her sister Emma moved to a large house they named “Maplecroft” in the more fashionable part of town. Lizzie attempted to continue her life, but the shadow of the murders never left her. She was socially shunned, and her reputation was irreparably damaged. Even Emma eventually distanced herself, moving away after a quarrel, reportedly over Lizzie’s lifestyle, which included befriending a young actress, much to Emma’s disapproval. Lizzie Borden died of pneumonia on 1 June 1927, at the age of 66. She left behind a substantial estate, but her wealth could not buy her peace. The Borden case remains unsolved, with numerous theories but no definitive answers. Was Lizzie a cold-blooded killer, motivated by greed and resentment, or was she a victim of circumstance, falsely accused and unfairly judged by history? The truth may never be known, but the case continues to fascinate and disturb, a dark chapter in the annals of American crime.