Lizzie Borden
Lizzie Borden was an American woman from Fall River, Massachusetts, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892.
Lizzie Borden was an American woman from Fall River, Massachusetts, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892. She was tried in 1893 and acquitted, but the case remains one of the most famous unsolved murder cases in U.S. history. Public fascination with her life and the trial has continued for more than a century.
Background
Lizzie Borden was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1860 and lived there for much of her life. She was the daughter of Andrew Borden and his first wife, Sarah, and later lived with Andrew, her sister Emma, and her stepmother Abby.
The 1892 murders
On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were killed in their home in Fall River. The deaths were widely reported as axe murders and quickly drew public attention.
Trial and acquittal
Lizzie Borden was arrested, indicted, and tried in 1893. The jury found her not guilty, although suspicion about her involvement persisted in public discussion.
Legacy
The case inspired books, films, and folklore, including the well-known nursery rhyme about Lizzie Borden. It remains one of the best-known unsolved murder cases in American history.
Key facts
- Lizzie Borden was accused of killing her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, in Fall River, Massachusetts, in August 1892.
- She was indicted and tried in 1893 after the killings.
- The jury acquitted her of the murder charges.
- The case became a major U.S. media sensation and remains widely discussed.
- The murders have never been definitively solved.
The case is frequently referenced in Canadian true-crime coverage, classroom discussions, and popular culture because it is one of the most famous murder mysteries in North American history.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Lizzie Borden?
Was Lizzie Borden convicted?
Who were the victims in the Borden case?
Where did the murders happen?
Is the case solved?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lizzie-Borden-American-murder-suspectSupports: Birth and death dates; identification as an American murder suspect; accusation over the 1892 killings; acquittal and enduring notoriety.
- Library of Congress — https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-lizzie-bordenSupports: Arrest in August 1892; indictment; trial in June 1893; acquittal; continuing uncertainty over responsibility.
- National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/lizzie-borden-trial-axe-murderSupports: Overview of the murders, trial, acquittal, and enduring public fascination.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/story/lizzie-borden-took-an-axSupports: Date and location of the murders; victim details; acquittal; popular rhyme and lasting fame.