The Chilling Axe Murders of Lizzie Borden’s Parents

On August 4, 1892, the quiet town of Fall River, Massachusetts, became the scene of one of the most infamous and gruesome murders in American history. The deaths of Andrew and Abby Borden, savagely killed in their family home, shocked the nation. Even more unsettling was the arrest and trial of Lizzie Borden, the youngest daughter, who was ultimately acquitted. Today, the case remains one of the biggest mysteries in true crime lore, leaving questions unanswered over a century later.

That Day

The Borden household was known to have tensions simmering beneath its surface. Abby Borden, Lizzie's stepmother, was not on good terms with Lizzie and her older sister, Emma. The sisters disliked Abby, believing she had married their father, Andrew Borden, for his considerable wealth. By the summer of 1892, property disputes and what is said to be a reduction of Lizzie and her sister’s inheritance had driven a wedge so deep that the sisters avoided interacting with their parents.

Around 9 a.m. on the morning of August 4, Abby Borden went upstairs to their guest room to tidy up. This is where she met her end. According to forensic evidence, Abby was struck on the side of the head with a hatchet, causing her to fall face down on the floor. Her assailant then delivered 17 ferocious blows to the back of her head. The scene was horrific, with blood pooling around Abby’s lifeless body in the guest room—a gruesome sight that would later haunt Fall River law enforcement.

Andrew Borden, a wealthy but notoriously frugal man, returned home around 10:30 a.m. After being unable to unlock the front door on his own, the maid, Bridget Sullivan, assisted him. Bridget testified that shortly after Andrew entered the house, she overheard laughing from the upstairs where Abby’s body lay. Not long after, Andrew settled on the living room couch for a nap. Minutes later, he, too, was butchered. He sustained 10 to 11 blows to his head and face, one of which split his eye in two—a sign that he was likely asleep when the attack began. Blood spattered the walls around him, creating a macabre scene in the sitting room.

It was Lizzie who would call out to Bridget. At approximately 11 a.m., she shouted, “Maggie, come quick! Father’s dead!” It was only after neighbors and police arrived that Abby’s body was discovered upstairs.

The Investigation and Trial

The jurors in the Borden trial consisted of all men

Despite the overwhelming gravity of the murders, police struggled to identify a definitive suspect. Lizzie’s behavior during the initial investigation raised eyebrows. Oddly calm for someone who had just encountered such heinous violence, her stories shifted under questioning. She claimed to have been in the barn during the murders, but no physical evidence supported this. A search of the home uncovered a hatchet with a broken handle in the basement. Authorities suspected it could have been the murder weapon, but no blood was found on it.

Innocent?

Further suspicion arose when Lizzie was reported burning a dress just days after the murders, claiming it had been stained with paint. This, alongside contradictory statements and a witness who claimed Lizzie intended to buy poison the day before the murders, deepened the public and police's doubts about her innocence.

Lizzie was formally arrested and went to trial in June 1893. The prosecution argued Lizzie committed the murders due to financial grievances and the resentment she harbored toward her stepmother. The centerpiece of the defense was Lizzie’s image—a respectable Sunday school teacher who couldn’t commit such a barbaric act. Her defense team also criticized how the police handled evidence at the crime scene, which likely influenced the outcome.

The jury deliberated for just over an hour before acquitting Lizzie. Public opinion remained divided, with some believing she escaped justice due to her social status and gender. Regardless of what transpired, she walked free.

The Aftermath and Enduring Mystery

Lizzie and her sister Emma inherited their father’s fortune, with Lizzie purchasing a grand home in a wealthy Fall River neighborhood at 309 French Street. The house remains intact to this . She attempted to move on but was ostracized by the local community and lived much of her later life in isolation.

To this day, the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden are steeped in mystery. Did Lizzie really kill her parents, fueled by rage and resentment, or was someone else responsible? Despite endless speculation and cultural adaptations—including rhymes, plays, and movies—the truth has never been conclusively uncovered.

The House Today. Haunted?

The Borden house now operates as both a museum and a bed-and-breakfast, drawing curious visitors eager to learn about this enduring American mystery. Meanwhile, Lizzie remains both a symbol of infamy and a figure of fascination in popular culture.

If one thing is clear, it’s that the shadow of the axe still lingers over Fall River, leaving the grisly saga of Lizzie Borden open to imagination and interpretation. Could the answer to this case still be lurking in the annals of history? Only time—or new evidence—might tell.

The House at 309 French Street which Lizzie bought with her inheritance following her innocence. The house had 14 rooms including 6 Bedrooms, a library, billiard room, 3 full baths and 2 half  baths.

Following are the crime scene photos of the murder victims in the Borden House. View at your own risk.

The photos are quite gruesome. You've been adequately warned

Abby Borden's body as it was found on the floor next to the bed

Abby Borden's body as it was found on the floor next to the bed

Andrew Borden's body as it was found on the couch. He had come home to take a nap.

Forensic evidence including the skulls of both Andrew and Abby Borden as well as the axe that was believed to have been used in the murders.