Affaire Lizzie Borden – 1892 murders and 1893 trial
On 4 August 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found dead in their Fall River home. Their daughter Lizzie Borden was arrested, faced a highly publicized trial in 1893, and was ultimately acquitted. No other person was ever charged, and the case remains a subject of ongoing speculation.
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We remember Andrew and Abby Borden, whose lives were tragically cut short.
Timeline
- 19 July 1860 — Lizzie Andrew Borden is born in Fall River, Massachusetts.
- 1863 — Her mother Sarah Borden dies.
- 4 August 1892 — Andrew and Abby Borden are found dead in their home.
- 8 August 1892 — Lizzie Borden appears at an inquest; she is later named a suspect.
- 11 August 1892 — A warrant for Lizzie's arrest is issued; she is jailed.
- 2 December 1892 — Lizzie Borden is indicted by a grand jury.
- 5 June 1893 — Trial of Lizzie Borden begins in New Bedford.
- 20 June 1893 — Jury acquits Lizzie Borden of the murders.
- 1 June 1927 — Lizzie Borden dies of pneumonia in Fall River.
Frequently asked questions
Was Lizzie Borden convicted of the murders?
No, she was acquitted by the jury in June 1893.
What evidence was presented against her at trial?
Testimony about her behavior, a hatchet‑head found in the basement, and reports of an inquiry about acid, none of which proved definitive.
Did anyone else get charged for the murders?
No other individual was ever charged with the killings.
Why has the case remained famous?
Extensive contemporary press coverage, a sensational trial, and its continual depiction in folklore and popular culture have kept it in public memory.
Were there other suspects?
Police and later writers considered her uncle John Morse and others, but no charges were filed against them.
Did Lizzie Borden purchase poison?
She inquired about hydrocyanic acid for cleaning a cloak, but there is no evidence she bought it.
What happened to Lizzie after the trial?
She lived in Fall River, changed her name to Lizbeth A. Borden, remained socially ostracized, and died in 1927.
Myths and evidence
- The folk rhyme accurately describes the number of blows. FAIT
The rhyme claims 18–19 blows to Abby and 11 to Andrew; forensic reports give different counts.
Primary sources and references
The cases · Investigation glossary · On this day in history · The daily puzzle · Which detective are you? · Historical word search maker