The mystery of Lizzie Borden: House of Dead continues to captivate, a chilling reminder of the dark secrets that can lurk within the walls of an ordinary home. The unanswered questions and the lingering atmosphere of dread ensure that the story of Lizzie Borden will continue to fascinate for generations to come.
Lizzie Andrew Borden, an American woman, was acquitted of the brutal axe murders of her father and stepmother in her own house near Fall River, Massachusetts. The case has fascinated the public for over a century, not only because of its gruesome details but also due to the infamous rhyme associated with it:
Lizzie Borden took an ax
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.
While many believe Lizzie was the perpetrator, the truth remains shrouded in mystery. Notably, no other suspects were ever seriously considered, and Lizzie was ostracized by her community. Despite this, she chose to spend the rest of her life in Fall River. Lizzie had an older sister, Emma, who was known for her gentle nature. Emma passed away shortly before Lizzie, who died of pneumonia in 1927.
After Lizzie’s death, the trials and details of the murders gained widespread publicity, becoming a staple of American popular culture. The case has been depicted in numerous films, books, and literary works, particularly in the Fall River area. This enduring cultural fascination all leads back to the Lizzie Borden: House of Dead.
Characters
- Lizzie Borden (Protagonist)
- Andrew Borden
- Role: Lizzie’s father and one of the victims.
- Emma Borden
- Role: Lizzie’s older sister, who supported her during the trial but later distanced herself.
- Abby Borden
- Role: Lizzie’s stepmother and the second victim.
- Maggie Sullivan
- Role: The Borden family maid, whose testimony provided key insights into the household dynamics.
Lizzie’s Life Before the Murders
Picture this: Fall River, Massachusetts, 1860. On July 19th, Lizzie Andrew Borden was born into a family that would eventually reside in what would become the infamous Lizzie Borden: House of Dead. Her parents, Sarah Anthony Borden (née Morse) and Andrew Jackson Borden, were central figures in her life, but it was her father’s journey that shaped the family’s legacy, laying the groundwork for the tragic events that would later haunt their home. Andrew, of English and Welsh ancestry, came from a well-known local family, but his early years were marked by financial struggles. Despite these humble beginnings, he worked tirelessly to build his fortune, starting with the furniture and casket business before expanding into real estate development.
Andrew’s success was extraordinary, a stark contrast to the grim fate that would befall his household within the walls of what would later be known as the Lizzie Borden: House of Dead. He became a director of multiple textile mills, acquired significant commercial properties, and held leadership roles, including president of Union Savings Bank and director of Durfee Safe Deposit and Trust Co.
By the time of his murder in 1892, within the very space that would earn the moniker Lizzie Borden: House of Dead, his estate was valued at 300,000—equivalent to nearly 10 million today. His rise from hardship to wealth was remarkable, but it also created a complex family dynamic that would later play a role in the tragic events of 1892, forever transforming their home into a symbol of a chilling mystery.
Maggie’s Statement
The Borden family maid, Maggie Sullivan, testified that Lizzie and Emma, the daughters of Mr. Borden, rarely ate meals with their parents, highlighting the strained family dynamics. In May 1892, Andrew killed several pigeons in his granary using a hand axe, also known as a hatchet. He believed the pigeons were attacking local children, though the act was not intentional. Lizzie, who had been caring for the pigeons and building a nest for them, was deeply upset by their deaths.
Maggie also recounted a family argument in July 1892, leading to Lizzie and Emma’s extended vacation. Upon their return, Lizzie’s decision to stay in a rented house for four days before coming back to the family residence raised questions, especially considering the tragic events that soon followed in what would be known as the Lizzie Borden: House of Dead.
Family Tensions and Financial Disputes
Tensions had been brewing in the Borden household before the murders, particularly over Andrew’s decision to gift various properties to Abby’s family. His sister-in-law received a house, which angered Lizzie and Emma. The sisters demanded and received a property they had lived in with their mother, purchasing it from their father for just $1 before the murders, they decided to sell the property back to their father for $ 5,000—equivalent to about $180,000 today.
The night before the murders, John Vinnicum Morse, Lizzie and Emma’s maternal uncle, visited the family. He was invited to stay for a few days to discuss business matters with Andrew, particularly regarding property transfers. This visit further aggravated the already tense situation within the walls of the house, where the chilling narrative of the Lizzie Borden: House of Dead was about to unfold.
Mysterious Illness Before the Murders
In the days leading up to the murders, the entire Borden family fell violently ill. One of their family friends had left mutton on the stove, which was later identified as the cause of the illness. This mysterious sickness added another layer of unease to the household, setting the stage for the tragic events that followed.
Lizzie Borden: House of Dead
Thursday 4th August, 1892
John Vinnicum Morse, Lizzie and Emma’s maternal uncle, arrived on the evening of August 3rd and stayed in the guest room that night. The next morning, after breakfast, the family gathered in a room for discussion. Andrew, John, Abby, and the maid, Maggie Sullivan, were present, and they chatted for nearly an hour. John left the room around 8:48 a.m. to visit his niece in Fall River, planning to return to the Borden home by noon for lunch. Andrew also left the room for his morning walk shortly after 9:00 a.m.
Cleaning the guest room was one of Lizzie and Emma’s regular chores. Abby went upstairs between 9:20 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to clean her room and make the bed.
According to forensic investigations, the killer was waiting for Abby in her room. As she entered, she was struck on the side of the head with a hatchet, the blow cutting just above her ear. She collapsed to the floor, and the attacker delivered 17 more blows, primarily to the back of her head, brutally ending her life.
Andrew returned home around 10:30 a.m. but found the door jammed when he tried to unlock it. He knocked, and Maggie Sullivan went to open the door. Sullivan later stated that she heard Lizzie laughing immediately after this incident. Although she didn’t see Lizzie, she claimed the laughter came from upstairs. At this point, Abby was already dead, her body lying on the second floor. When Andrew asked Lizzie about Abby’s whereabouts, Lizzie claimed that a messenger had come to take Abby to visit a sick friend.