Lizzie Borden The Truth

Megan is back with another Curious True Crime episode. This time she takes a look at the infamous murders in Fall River Massachusetts in the late 1800's. Lizzie Borden was tried, Acquitted, and stigmatized for the remainder of her life for the death of her Father and Step Mother. But how much of what we know is fact and how much is fiction?

[@lisasharf1442]

I’ve been fascinated by this case for years, and this was a great synopsis. My only comment is that this is the first time I’ve ever heard that the family “lovingly” called Bridget, Maggie. I’ve always heard they called her Maggie because that was their previous maid’s name, and they couldn’t be bothered to learn a new name.

[@robertreeser1174]

Lizzie and Emma called her Maggie not the parents.

[@sissy4506]

You are right

[@Catbooks]

We don't know why Lizzie and Emma called Bridget Maggie. It could have been affectionate, it could have started out as a joke because they kept accidentally calling her Maggie, and they just continued it. Bridget liked Lizzie, and Lizzie liked Bridget, so I doubt there was any intended disrespect. Lizzie was also known in later life to treat her servants very well.

[@serenapost8791]

I’ve stayed the night at the Borden house. The tour guide said that Andrew and Abby hated all the Irishman in the area. The maid was Irish. It was the stepmother Abby who called the maid Maggie because that was the name of their last maid. Abby had no respect or interest in using the maids real name

[@Catbooks]

@@serenapost8791 I've studied this case for decades and it was without question Lizzie and Emma who called Bridget Maggie. Abby and Andrew called her Bridget. In all these years I've never heard Abby and Andrew hated the Irish. Abby and Bridget had a good relationship. At one point Bridget wanted to leave and Abby pleaded with her to stay. Bridget stayed. Their previous maid's, also Irish, first name was Maggie, not surname. There were many Irish immigrants at the time, and like all immigrants they were looked down upon, and people feared they'd take their jobs. There was a considerable Portuguese population at the time in Fall River, and they were looked down upon and feared even more than the Irish. Probably because the Irish immigrants spoke English.

[@GhostExploringChannel]

Yes that is true story Lizzie Borden. I live in Massachusetts.

[@rcichon]

Recently stayed at the house. Slept in Lizzie's room. John is an overlooked suspect. From what I understand, new all the priest's names on the train. Almost to good. Although he has no apparent motive. Lastly, Lizzies lawyer took notes and they remain locked in a safe. Wonder if someday we may see them. I bet the truth may be on those notes.

[@redrooster1908]

knew

[@Catbooks]

He didn't know the name of the six priests on the horse trolly. Don't know where you got that from, but it isn't true. He simply said there were six priests on that trolly on his way back to the Bordens. This was corroborated by another conductor of another trolly, heading in the opposite direction. He was gone when both Abby and Andrew were murdered, so he couldn't have done it. I would like to read those notes Lizzie's lawyer's family has.

[@johnfairweather9188]

She’s guilty as hell. She had the motive, the opportunity, and access to the weapon. The only reason she was found not guilty was that the all-male jury couldn’t wrap their heads around a woman committing such a horrendous crime.

[@johnfairweather9188]

@@cloudnine5395 You obviously don’t know the details of the case. She was seem burning one of her dresses soon after the murders.

[@DipTuckDive]

@@johnfairweather9188and witnesses did testify that it was an old dress with paint on it- they saw the paint on the dress long before the murders. She also had no time to change.

[@johnfairweather9188]

@@DipTuckDive Of course she had time to change. The stepmother was killed before the mother came home. The father always had a nap after lunch. She killed him, ran upstairs, and changed her dress. And burning the dress the next day was VERY suspicious, and it was only her word that it had paint in it. I have been studying and reading about this case for decades. She is obviously guilty. She had the opportunity, the motive, and the access to the axe. The only reason she wasn’t convicted was because the all-male jury couldn’t wrap their head around a woman committing such a horrendous crime.

[@hennesseyme9112]

@@johnfairweather9188 Even so, there was no blood splatter, foot steps etc. Do you know how much blood would have had to be on that dress?

[@hennesseyme9112]

@@johnfairweather9188 Where is the blood evidence? How did she kill two people without blood everywhere to include herself?

[@freedomfirst5557]

I think she was found not guilty simply because in her times.....society could not possibly fathom the idea of a young daughter killing her parents in that brutal manner. We now know better than that. I think today she would likely be found guilty.

[@karlbroderickmusic]

The uncle having such a detailed alibi may have been a case of him setting the plan in motion for Lizzie to do the foul deeds...but then took himself out of the picture..and making sure he had an alibi. So maybe more than just 1 person involved????

[@Catbooks]

That's highly unlikely since John Morse and Andrew had a 30-year friendship, even though Morse's sister (Andrew's first wife and mother to his children) had died 30+ years earlier. They obviously liked one another. Also, he had basically no relationship with Lizzie, so why take such a risk for her?

[@hughdanielson5436]

If she wasn't guilty of murder she still be guilty of aiding and abetting,

[@goliathstrainingschool2467]

Lizzie Borden did it...she killed them. She's the only one who had motive, means and opportunity. She was upstairs when Andrew came home. Putting her in yards of Abby. John was nowhere around at all at the time. Also, Lizzie lied about a note from someone about Abby. Nobody was found that sent for Abby. Why would she lie if she were innocent? Why make that up? Only reason was to get everyone to believe Abby wasn't home. Why? Only reason that fits is so nobody would search the upstairs for Abby while it was just 2 of them in the house. To say someone else did it, then u have to have a reason why Lizzie was heard upstairs laughing after Abby was already killed, plus answer who would kill Abby, then wait around for HOURS just to kill Andrew...it all points to Lizzie killing Abby then when her father came home hours later, she lied about Abby being out so Andrew wouldn't go looking for her upstairs. Its the only explanation that fits. Any other suspects make no sense at all. If it was John or someone else, then why would Lizzie lie about Abby going out? Any other suspects raise more questions then answers. Also, morphine would have made Lizzie drowsy but EUPHORIC. She would want to talk more and try and hide her guilt by any means necessary. She burnt that dress because it had blood on it. And if we want to believe in the paranormal, ur opening the door to demons and spirits that will lie and deceive anyone. All evidence points to Lizzie. Nobody else makes sense.

[@Catbooks]

I agree with all of this. It's the only thing that adds up and makes any sense.

[@bb6887]

There are some things I have discovered in recent years about the murders: About 6 weeks before the murders, Lizzie was at church at a luncheon function. While loading heavy trays of dishes and utensils onto a dumb waiter, the dumb waiter fell onto both her arms. If you go to the website, Lizzie, Borden Warps and Wefts, you can see several write ups about it in the local newspaper. They say she escaped without injury, but that I think means that the bones were not obviously broken through the flesh. It was very heavy and there was great alarm. I'm sure there was massive bruising, and as we all know, fractures can occur very easily and not be noticed outwardly. Even x-rays don't capture them- you have to have another type if image taken to find them. With such an injury such a short time earlier, find it very difficult to believe that she could lift a hatchet so many times, and deal so many blows. Morse arrived the night before the murders, unannounced and without luggage. At that point, he was living out west in Iowa, I think. He was into cattle ranching and was skilled at butchering and euthanizing large animals by a blow to the head. That morning, he returned to the house after visiting other family about a mile away, but he did not go inside first, but stayed outside eating a pear from the tree before entering the house and seeing the bodies. He was invited for lunch, so it's odd that he remained outside eating the fruit without allegedly knowing what was going on. I say all of this because a skilled knacker or meat slaughterer could kill with one or at most 2 blows. If so skilled, and having premeditated, it's not a stretch to think that someone would add many extra blows to distract and to make others think that it was a crime of passion or ineptitude. Another witness named Ellan Egan said that she was walking by the house in the morning and saw a suspicious man looking around, who had a particular and unpleasant odor. He was wearing a long dark overcoat and carrying a bag. Egan was never called on to give testimony but she reported it to the police. Her future son-in-law, as a boy, worked with the local knacker, Bill Borden, who was deranged and actually dressed like that and carried a bag with his hatchet to euthanize horses. While working with Bill Borden, Borden talked to his hatchet like it was another person and co-conspirator to murder and essentially admitted to the crime many years later, by the account of the boy who had grown up. Allegedly, Bill was under the delusion that Andrew was his father who abandoned him and his mother. There are many things that the police didn't follow through with, or follow up on. And one of the most glaring mistakes, was allowing the public inside to take things and corrupt the crime scene before the investigation could begin. as for the hatchet that was found, and used as evidence, and analysis was done on the blade, and it was found to have bovine blood not human blood.

[@Maureanna]

bb6887 .I live here in fall river n always thought lizzie didn't do it based on what was said by my grandparents .I enjoyed reading your comment your well informed

[@nettiegurl]

and that factor ... blaming the woman ... because women were still "inferior" in that society, and beyond. Lizzie "had to" have done it. Balderdash. There were others around...mainly men. Including the uncle visiting. Any of them could have done this, and with 'secret motive'. Too many stories sensationalizing a 'whodunit' legend, we'll never really know.

[@Catbooks]

John Morse had moved back to MA, only a few miles away from the Bordens, two years before the murders. He arrived the afternoon of the 3rd, spent the night in the guest room, and left in the morning to go visit his niece and nephew who lived a few miles away. It was 11:30 or so when he arrived back at the Bordens, half an hour from the noon meal, and had eaten breakfast around 7-8:00 that morning. Eating a pear isn't strange under these circumstances. He saw no one and nothing suspicious when he arrived, and Dr Bowen testified there was no one outside when he returned, within minutes of Morse. Morse hadn't the means, opportunity, or motive. It wasn't him. Lizzie is the only one who did have the means, opportunity, and motive.

[@wayneisanamerican]

My money would be on "Lizzie" as the murderer....the evidence you all presented seems to point that way, anyhow...

[@tanetteallen7655]

I think she did it!!

[@johnkelley6278]

Great Job of telling this story. If this happens today at least they would be able to use DNA and Lie Detector testing.

[@nbenefiel]

They used the best forensic evidence they had at that time. The Harvard doctors determined it was done with a hatchet. The murder weapon was never found. There was simply no evidence against Lizzie.

[@TerminaUltima]

Lie detector tests are complete trash and don’t prove anything. I don’t mean that in a rude way, just adding more information

[@barbaraedgley2634]

Wemma had more reason to hate & resent the stepmother than did Lizzie. Emma had known & loved her mother & promised her dying mom that she'd care for baby Lizzie. She was a capable teenager when her dad remarried, possibly resenting another woman taking her place as woman of the house or becoming a main heir. She could have fostered Lizzie's hatred of her stepmother ( only mother she'd known, having no memories if her birth mother). Emma seems more like a suspect than Lizzie ..

[@aprilsunflower7440]

But she was out of town visiting friends. The Dr had to send her a telegram shortly after the murders

[@flynneart1111]

Seems like they should've looked to the deaths early on when Liz was a kid like maybe the father was the killer

[@MaryIannacone]

Emma was out of town

[@LittleBlueOwl318]

@@flynneart1111 So... the man murdered by a dozen blows to the head with an axe did it to himself?! Not hardly!!

[@LittleBlueOwl318]

@@flynneart1111 Wth? Lizzie was over 30 years old at the time of the double murder... what are you even talking about?! !

[@Liz-cmc313]

Sadly we will never know the truth. It only makes sense Lizzy did it.

[@BillHaynal]

I'll be doing the Lizzie Borden house tour next month, can't wait!

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

Awesome!

[@AnastasiaBayer-mg2te]

She was an incredibly smart woman portrayed as a sociopath

[@jamesTBurke]

Lizzie was most likely in hysteria and shock due to the murders

[@nbenefiel]

The hysteria could just as easily have come from finding her father’s battered body. Neither Dr Bolton nor the police saw Abbey’s body lying on the floor while standing on the stairs. The first thing Dr Bolton did was to give Lizzie a large shot of morphine for the hysteria. By the time the police got there Lizzie was stoned to the gills

[@elizabethbogle3533]

It's also possible that she was on the specrum, which would explain some of her strange behavior and her social isolation. Just a thought.

[@MsBackstager]

@@elizabethbogle3533 She could have been bipolar or had a multi personality thus not remembering what she did. If we look at her photos, even years before the murders, her eyes always looked glazed and lifeless.

[@galesal1109]

Andrews's boots were put back on for the picture. Btw

[@sandrayancheski6806]

GOOD LORD GIRL SLOW DOWN WHEN SPEAKING TAKE A BREATH PLEASE I' I interesting in the piece that you are telling BUT SLOW DOWN . by you talking to fast people lose interest in the story. EXCELLENT STORY THOUGH

[@whatever-whatever7386]

The photo of the two women together is not Lizzie or Emma Borden.

[@TammyM36]

Looks like them to me??

[@MaryIannacone]

Exactly

[@leslieMClass80]

There’s a book called Mysterious New England. It’s filled with stories of mysterious and spooky things in Mew England. The story of Lizzie Borden in it and at the end of the story, there’s quite a twist and some information you might find very interesting 😊

[@lb8471]

Like?!!!!

[@nelliebly6616]

​@@lb8471whoosh

[@nbenefiel]

There is a great video on you tube called myth busting Lizzie Borden. The woman is talking to the Nashua historical society. She has a PHD and studies the case full time. She is an accredited historian. She blows away a ton of stories.

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

Love that video!

[@GingerKraut]

I watched it a couple of days ago--it was really good at dispelling the folk tales about the Borden family. For the record, I don't think that Lizzie was the culprit...but I think she knew who was.

[@MsBackstager]

@@CuriousHistoryYT Please post it.

[@Catbooks]

Not everything she says is accurate, and she is biased.

[@buTterfkykiSss]

​@@Catbooks Aren't we all? 😉

[@ahicks414]

I've heard only 2 theories about the Borden murders. Has anybody decided it based on the personalities & temperaments of the various suspects? If Lizzie's sister was just as unhappy with the way her dad and stepmother were treating them, and if she was very unwilling to speak up, might she have been the axe murderer? Isn't that often the way axe murderers are? And Lizzie stood trial, being the more outspoken sister and probably believing she would be found not-guilty.

[@gailmpintos7232]

Over the years, I have come to suspect that it was Emma that did the deed. 15 miles was not all that far in that day and age. I believe there is NO WAY Lizzy did the deed. She did not have enough time to wash all the blood off from her father's murder. It was a vicious attack and his body was still dripping blood. Emma was older, remembered her mother, and had more reason to hate Abby, than Lizzy. Of course, Lizzy knew the killer and took the blame. The uncle is also a prime suspect, but I lean toward Emma.

[@brt5273]

The bodies remained in the house for the next few days : ( Gahd! It was the middle of Summer! How horrible...

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

I agree!

[@Catbooks]

Except it isn't true. The murders happened on Thursday. Both were buried on Saturday.

[@finnappleyard]

I just toured the murder house in Fall River, with the way that house is set up, in my opinion, it would be difficult for someone else to be the murderer other than Lizzie. I feel she was selfish and entitled at that point in her life and took them out. I believe later in her life, she regretted what she did.

[@NevadaLamb]

Visited her house yesterday. I’m torn. It could either be a neglectful childhood or just a brat. Not that either make it right (if she did it), but it’s a big factor for motive. My gut tells me she had the motive, but there’s something that makes me want to believe she didn’t do it. I’m actually happy she got to live the life she wanted after all was said and done, but then I cringe cause did it come at the expense of her getting away with murder? It’s hard to say. I feel not enough info is known to truly know, but I do think she was at the very least in on it. Murder for hire perhaps?

[@angelthman1659]

Why are you talking so fast? It's like a speed talking challenge.

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

Yep it’s definitely too fast. We definitely don’t record like that anymore

[@angelthman1659]

Also, where did you get the information that they had running water and electricity? All I've researched says they didn't, and that the allowances Lizzie and Emma received were meager. @@CuriousHistoryYT

[@TheMegWrites]

I am fascinated by Lizzie Borden’s story. I appreciate you questioning Andrew Borden’s frugality. He may have been frugal, but there is a lot of evidence pointing to him being relatively generous with the girls (paying for Emma’s college, a European trip for Lizzie, etc.). Just a couple of things: 1. It was thought that Lizzie may have been the one inquiring about buying prussic acid, but that was never confirmed. 2. My understanding is that the family called Bridget ‘Maggie’ because that was a common nickname for Irish maids. 3. Most of the police force was actually at a picnic that day, but a few police showed up to the house. 4. It was thought that Lizzie helped her father out of his shoes, and the photographer put the shoes back on because it was ‘unseemly’ for a gentleman to be seen without his shoes on. I read that it was highly unusual for Emma to leave the house for any length of time, so the fact that she was visiting in another town is rather suspicious. Lizzie had one speck of blood on her undercoat. I believe Uncle John Morse did the act, but the sisters knew it was going to happen.

[@1timbarrett]

Tomorrow (August 4th) is Sister’s Day in Sweden and other countries. In my house it is Lizzie Borden Day. O the irony.😂 🪓 ❗️

[@nbenefiel]

The first thing Dr Bolton did was give Lizzie a strong shot of morphine as she was hysterical. She was stoned to the gills when questioned by the police.

[@ghost_badger7537]

You should slow down. You talk too fast.

[@astrinymris9953]

I don't know what to think. There are things that make Lizzie look guilty, but most of the evidence against her is inconclusive if not outright debunked. For example, the 90 minute gap between Abby and Andrew's murder was based on a 19th century coroner's assumption that everyone digests food at the same rate. We now that isn't true. It seems clear based on blood clotting that Abby was murdered first, but the fact that Andrew's body was found earlier needs to be taken into account. Also, I find it as hard to believe that Lizzie was able to commit two extremely gory murders in such a limited window of opportunity while not having any noticeable blood splatter. Remember, Andrew's blood was still fresh when he was found, meaning he'd only been dead a few minutes. How could Lizzie have possibly cleaned up so quickly and thoroughly? Even if she used Andrew's coat as an apron, how could she have wadded it up and slipped it under his head without getting smeared with his blood? Could John have done it? Well, he was Lizzie and Emma's blood relative, not Abby's. Yet according to Victoria Lincoln, Andrew was planning to give a lot of property to Abby, and John was in town to help Andrew do this. But why would John be helping Andrew with this? You'd think he'd be championing his dead sister's daughters rights, not their stepmother's. In that light, a conspiracy between John and Lizzie to dispose of Abby and Andrew seems like a possibility. Maybe. It seems like a stretch that a murder with that many moving parts would have gone off so smoothly, without any of the people who'd have to be in the know (like the relatives who provided John's alibi on the murder day) snapping and confessing at some part in the proceedings. I think it's the fact that *all* the possible scenarios in this case seem so implausible that this case still fascinates us today.

[@Galen-864]

When John returned to the house after the murders, he saw the crowds and police but never asked what was going on. He casually ate some pears and then entered the kitchen. This was reported by a police officer at the scene. His alibi for his whereabouts was over the top because he memorized very minute details.

[@adrianlasin574]

it is said that bridgette, the housemaid, made a deathbed confession regarding the trial.

[@bb6887]

@@adrianlasin574 As I read about it from one of the real Borden historians, Bridgette thought she was dying and was going to say something significant about something; nobody actually knew what it was about, but could only speculate. She changed her mind upon recovering and never mentioned it again.

[@ThePsho]

PSA to everyone complaining that she's talking too fast: use the playback speed function (built into the KZbin settings) and change it to 0.75x. For the record, I appreciate your pace. Normally, I need to set other people's videos to 1.25x.

[@mistervacation23]

Did you ever consider maybe Mrs Borden and Mr Borden just committed suicide?

[@beereaucrat3233]

Those old-school outfits were so creepy....

[@hennesseyme9112]

I am not convinced she did this. Blood is a very viscous thing that sticks to everything and one drop can be spread. How did she kill both of them and there is not blood all over the room or on her?

[@millster9389]

That picture you keep showing of the 2 women are not Lizzie & Emma. I don't know who they are, but they look nothing like them.

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@dalemorris7014]

Alice Esther Borden died before Lizzie was born.

[@pheona1164]

This was excellent. I've seen other spirit readings that have also said John.... so.. 👀. Idk. I'm not sure what his motive would have been though.

[@skokian1able]

Maybe a cut of his neices' inheritance?

[@pheona1164]

@@skokian1able Trueeee but I imagine he knew he would get a cut. Which means he and Lizzie may have worked together. 🤔

[@skokian1able]

@@pheona1164It's always been my belief that Lizzie was complicit but didn't commit the murders by her own hand. Uncle John is extremely sketchy and seems a likely suspect as the actual killer.

[@pheona1164]

@@skokian1able Well said.

[@PattyMarshall-l8v]

John was the brother of Lizzie's late mother. Perhaps Andrew had spoke to him about writing Lizzie out of his will. And I agree he probably got a cut.

[@A_Borden_History]

As a relative of Lizzie and her family The Borden’s who remain have always been sure of Lizzie’s innocence It is our strong belief Emma Borden and John Morse Orchestrated the Murder of Andrew Borden and his wife In 1905 when Emma left the house known as Maplecroft we think it was because Lizzie found out what Emma did

[@jensmith7331]

How do the Bordens feel that Uncle John & Emma were ok allowing Lizzie to spend almost a year in jail in Taunton & she might have hung for crimes they allegedly committed?

[@aprilsunflower7440]

Emma spoke to her pastor about what was going on in maplecroft. He advised her to leave. Emma was out of town and their uncle John had an alibi.

[@A_Borden_History]

@@jensmith7331 From what we know alot of them were very concerned if Lizzie was found guilty, back then we were a very respected and prominent family, having a convicted killer in the family would make her very bad press

[@A_Borden_History]

@@aprilsunflower7440 Yea she was in FairHaven MA that day, we think so she didn’t get any suspicion However, John had an eerily specific alibi, he remembered the names of the priests he spoke to, the trolley car he was on and the name of the horse pulling it However, From 9:00AM - 11:30AM we have no idea where he was ((Thats the same time when Mr and Mrs Borden were murdered)) He wanted property from Andrew, Which The Girls gave him after, Emma hated Andrew

[@aprilsunflower7440]

@@A_Borden_History It's a very interesting mystery. To be a fly on the wall in that house 🤔

[@randallslinker3775]

There is a lot of similarities to the OJ Simpson case

[@thelmatucker7598]

Sunday school teacher lezzie were so grief stricken by the murder of her parents she decided to go mansion shopping as a coping mechanism.

[@johndoe-wv3nu]

Would you stay on Second Street? I would imagine the Borden's stood living on Second Street in part, because it was so close to Andrew's work sites.

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

Thanks - as I read the subtitles (no sound) I can't comment on the narration skills! Lizzie is, of course, quite well known over here in Limeyland so its interesting to see a reasonably balanced account of the case. I've no particular view as to who did it - certainly the hard evidence was insufficient to convict her, even back then and the circumstantial evidence not much better, making the verdict unsurprising. Sad that poor Bridget was a suspect purely because of being Irish - blatant racial prejudice! I'd be very reluctant to accept 'spirit box' evidence - and you'd never get Abby into a witness box! This case, almost certainly will never be adequately resolved. PS I wasn't too keen on the rapid, blurred pictures - definitely eye straining.

[@ghost_badger7537]

This isnt a comment on your video alone but im sick to death of seeing conflicting information on this case. Ive watching History Channel documentaries on this and each time I see a new one, they get the information wrong. Like that she took his boots off, when in fact she didn't. How can they get this information wrong!

[@Frank-ul1qs]

This story been told to me by a friend whom lived in that day. Its been revealed as to what really happened. Emma was sent off to fairhaven, Lizzie stayed behind to watch out. It was john who murder them. John had his back covered by emma saying he was home in fairhaven. That kept them safe. Lizzie did the survalance around the house and inside. So when john showed up he was told where they were. How this came to be ? Lizzie told my friend what happened, my friend was young then at that time . She told him in the 1920's . Before Lizzie death. And my friend told me in 1970's before he died by accident yes he was old by then telling me. Why the murders , it was because of money, mr. Borden was wealthy, the children thought farther would give it all to his wife when he died. That be their stepmother. And thats what the murders was about. MONEY. Lizzie did do a little clean up after the murders, she threw the ax in wood burning stove, and her dress that got blood on it. She change clothes. So in today's view it be all three , john, emma, and Lizzie. They all made the plan. This is what i been told. Told by people lived in that time. But thier all gone dead. Dirty deeds. Money is evil it causes problems with greedy people. I don't know what newspapers said about it in that time or what others say about it. This is what i heard from a person who knew them. My friend was farmer who sold and raised horses, and much more other things. He said Lizzie love children she was kind to him back then. Lizzie and Emma did buy another house, to live in.

[@madamesalamander16]

Lizzie was not born into privilege. Andrew was a Borden, but from a branch that lost its fortune. Andrew and Sarah lived in poverty for many of their 18 years of marriage, before Andrew became successful. Lizzie was born into a modest household at the very best. Emma grew up in poverty. Abby and Andrew's deaths were a careful conspiracy between Emma, Lizzie, John Morse, (a butcher by trade,) William Davies (a trusted friend and business associate of John's) and a trusted driver to wait for Davies to exit the property. Andrew built his fortune off of what he inherited from Sarah's family when she passed. To disallow his daughters to marry and leave them no way to guarantee their future means to care for themselves would have been the ultimate dishonor to the Morse family, and all that Sarah endured in order for Andrew to become so wealthy. EVERYBODY on the stand lied about that house being harmonious because they knew how awful it was and did not believe Lizzie should be hanged for a murder she could not have committed, no matter how she benefited from the deaths.

[@johnchitwood8799]

If John Morse was supposed to stay a few days, why did he show up without prior notice AND with no luggage and clothes. This is a historical FACT.

[@Catbooks]

He was living only a few miles away, and was only staying overnight, because he had business dealings to discuss with Andrew, which the two of them had corresponded about 10 days before the murders. He'd showed up for two other unannounced visits in June and July of that year. Then again in August. These too are historical facts.

[@rollmeister]

She's guilty

[@PrincessKarrah]

I do believe that Lizzie was a victim of sexual abuse I’m not saying that the money was not a part of it . Back then a woman was the property of her father until she was the property of her husband so she was forced to live with and see the face of her abuser every single day. I don’t buy that the level of hatred that Lizzie had for Abby came from her father buying Abby sister a house but if Abby knew what was happening and did nothing to stop it that would totally explain it. Abby face was found face down almost as if Lizzie was saying you didn’t want to see it life now you won’t see it in death. Andrew face was completely destroyed she didn’t want to see the face of her abuser.

[@richardmattingly7000]

Lizzie change her story numerous times about that day and it was this as well as freely spending money that drew suspicions before being arrested. At first the maid recalled her at the top of the stairs giggling a bit when she had trouble open the door when her father returned. Why it mattered was Abby Borden the step mother's body was in plain view from there face down with head head almost chopped apart. At first she claimed that she wasn't inside the house when killings occurred but in the loft of the barn but Police saw no footprints she should of have left behind in the dust. Most damning was she demanded after the discovery of her fathers body that others go up there even though she said the stepmother had gone out to her knowledge was an outright lie. The belief that the killer waited in the house between the murders was also problematic if her father was the real target and Abby Borden wounds were on of rage more than those of his. What lead to the stepmother likely being killed first is had she died secondly under the Law her heirs not the fathers could claim part of the estate..The motive was simple John Borden was about to give his wife's children some property was intolerable and Lizzie was quite furious about since it meant less coming to her and never thought her step sibling deserved it directly. Lizzie however was never in jeopardy since the Judge all but was apart of her Defense often questioning witness and all interfered with the the case against her. indeed in his Jury Instruction he all but ordered an Acquittal since no daughter would murder her father for money especially if they were prominent in the community just wasn't done..🗿

[@DAVEJJR]

Lizzie’s sister Alice died 4 years before she was born. Emma was not at her dressmaker’s shop the day of the murder. She was in Fairhaven, MA. Come on and your facts straight!!!

[@krisweaver7524]

The uncle is either most unlucky unwitting accomplice in history or he did it. He just shows up and the wife/stepmother is found dead in the room where he’s staying and the father winds up hacked to death as well. By the way he’s a butcher by trade. It is unlikely that Lizzie did it, at least on her own. Patricide is overwhelmingly a male crime. I would imagine even more so with a hatchet. There are not too many young Sunday school teachers who are wielding hatchets to kill their parents. Lizzie is also the only one who stayed in the area. Everyone else took off, never to return. the maid, the uncle. I think the fact that she stayed says a lot.

[@markouellette6868]

Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 packs when her father seen what she had done she gave her father 41

[@keiramassucci7952]

How come nobody talking about Emma?

[@markwolfshohl6562]

Emma was in another town

[@417Theory]

I don't understand where this stupid information about them having a flushing "privy" came from.

[@danielwebster5748]

The family didn't lovingly call her Maggie Mr and Mrs Borden called her Maggie because that was the name of the previous made and any attempt that correcting them they still called her Maggie. Lizzie and Emma who was Bridget's favorites called her Bridget. She did not call her Maggie only Mr and Mrs Borden did that they called her by her correct name.

[@danielwebster5748]

Uncle John's story checks out he is not the killer there is only two that had the opportunity Lizzy 4 Bridget. Who was burning the dress who was trying to buy poison who was out where the axe was it was Lizzie all along the old male jewelry let her go because they couldn't fathom that a woman could commit such a heinous crime. Lizzie did it she is the only one with motive and opportunity.

[@TammyM36]

Lizzie 💯 guilty

[@danielwebster5748]

There was only two people in the house Bridget and Lizzy so one of them is guilty Bridget had no motive so Lizzy is guilty.

[@northernstar5339]

Interesting, so Lizzie and her sister Emma didnt inherit anything from their mother when she passed away and it all went to their father who was not wealthy but seems like he kept their mothers inheritance for himself or so it appears and Abby his new mistress. I would feel betrayed but dont think i would kill. Maybe walk away from the father and ask would be a better option. Seems like Lizzie resented her father for not looking after them properly and instead looked after his new mistress.

[@jamescorlett5272]

Moorse had already murdered Abbey before he left the house - Andrew ? they were All in on it .

[@barbaraedgley2634]

Does seem suspicious that both Emma & Uncle John areange to be away the day of the crimes. She had vowed to protect & care for her baby sister & may have seen that as justification to kill both guardians. Lizzie would never want blame to fall on her big sister or her late mother's brother & allowed suspicion to fall on her, assuming she'd be found ( as she was) not guilty.

[@nbenefiel]

If Lizzie had hacked her family to death, she would have been covered with blood. She would have had no way to clean herself.

[@JS-wp4gs]

Not really. People get hacked up all the time. Its not as messy as tv would have you think. Same with slaughterhouse workers. They don't come off their shift soaked in blood either

[@lauratukey3584]

I loved my visits the Lizzie Borden house I stayed in the Andrew and Abby suite it was a really fun place

[@RichardM1366]

There was a man that visited the house since is a bed and breakfast inn. He said a cat got in bed with him. The cat kept him up all night. That is ironic. A dead cat was found just before the murders. I cannot say the house is haunted since I read this in a book. But if it is, a lot of sadness took place there.

[@nelliebly6616]

One both use Sinkers,for screendoor automatics and for fishing...🤗

[@angelasmith2955]

I started watching this, but noticed AI generated images, so I won't be finishing it. There are enough real photos of quality out there without using inaccurate fake photos.

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

Thank you for watching and commenting

[@SherylBatcher]

How do you know! She was found not guilty

[@Ralphie5023]

The idiots who purchased that house destroyed it by the changes they made , including painting it GREEN and turning it into a nickel & dime trinket store . They destroyed such a historical property . Unbelievable !

[@animalantics5898]

No, it wasn't the current owners who did that. During the early 90s there was a printing shop attached to the house itself.

[@leslieMClass80]

Excellent job on this, by the way! Choke full of information!

[@kjay15993]

Lizzie was not born when her sister died.

[@rcichon]

Staying at the house or even doing a tour is recommended. You learn so much more.

[@joyrose9597]

Lizzie burnt her dress and she tried to buy poison I think that much sums it up 😔

[@jettelentz4205]

no one no the truth

[@ErinMcIntyre-cw2qc]

🪓

[@optimusdimegatron1297]

what if both killed one each?

[@lauranalan8081]

My husband just did his geniology report n found out lizzie borden is is first cousin 6 times removed 😮

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

😮😮😮

[@lb8471]

Wow!! Interesting.

[@SuperDiablo101]

I've been here multiple times and once did an overnight stay in lizzies room although nothing particular happened I did smell the scent of women's very old perfumea and i became very tired immediately upon entering the house ( empath stuff ) However the tour guides both times were without a doubt the best of any tour I've ever experienced. I'm glad the that the issue of sexual abuse although dark was brought to light yet one tragic but interesting story is often very overlooked and its that of yet ANOTHER murder within the borden house when a mother killed her children in the well within the property or close enough to it to be considered part of the house...

[@sheilaisaacs981]

this woman was tried and acquitted and people are still trashing her 130 years later...I would love to see her sue all these people that have defamed her but she isn't here to defend herself...if anybody ever cared enough to check in to it the man from the train is a more likely suspect...

[@csueconner9711]

Why? I've never heard anything pointing that direction. I would love to hear why you believe this.

[@missyrose2154]

Acquitted does not mean innocent. She was acquitted because men did not want to believe a woman was capable of such brutal crimes back then . The investigation was horribly handled and the crime scene was hopelessly tainted due to police ineptitude. Imo all evidence and motive points to Lizzie

[@sheilaisaacs981]

@@csueconner9711 I don't think anybody else has ever said it ...they claim his first kill was an hour from the Borden home 6 years later but he did this every 5 years mostly...Andrew had been hiring people and not paying them and this guy didn't like that... Lizzie had told her neighbor her father had been recieving threats before the murders...the man from the train would hide in people's attics and barns and would live there until he was discovered...the back bedroom on the top floor named after Lizzie's defense lawyer has a fire escape in the closet that leads to the bathroom next to the guest room on the second floor which is why Abby was first as she was right there making the bed...Maggie and Lizzie were in and out of the house eating pears and doing windows when Andrew comes home unexpectedly the man that worked him and refused to pay him...the railroad tracks were right there...Lizzie started screaming and the whistle started blowing so he headed out to the train ...lots of family memebers were suspected of this man's murders...Bridget thought the top floor was haunted and she stayed in her room the rest of the attic was used as storage then

[@sheilaisaacs981]

@@missyrose2154 actuallly aquitted means not guilty which is legally innocent... past tense: acquitted; past participle: acquitted 1. free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty. "she was acquitted on all counts" Similar: absolve clear exonerate exculpate declare innocent find innocent pronounce not guilty discharge release liberate emancipate free set free deliver spare exempt dismiss vindicate

[@JS-wp4gs]

She did it. Everything points to her. and being acquitted by a jury doesn't mean you're innocent, it just means the jury is full of idiots. Ask OJ about that

[@ericanelson1973]

I don't believe that anyone in that house was innocent, not the family, not the maid, not even the neighbor. I also wonder if there may have been a few other people in Fall River who were involved. As far as I can tell, there was a conspiracy and a cover up.

[@teenieneenie630]

This has been to death already. You offer no new info, just a badly read,scripted, re-hash Do better.

[@CuriousHistoryYT]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@skylark1250]

The crime scene photos came after the bodies had been handled by others. They were not taken early on. The doctor may have moved the bodies to get a look at the injuries. Even neighbors came in to look at the bodies and may have touched them. Dr. Bowen moved Abby’s body to take a pulse. She was apparently further under the bed before he did this. He repositioned the body but it wasn’t crime scene accurate. Similarly Andrew’s body may have been moved before photos were taken. So Andrew very well may have had slippers in his feet when discovered and once the photographer arrived they would have put his street shoes back on his feet, as Andrew was a noteworthy citizen and it would be improper to see him without his street shoes on.

[@pamelashiflett5281]

I've read a lot about this story, changed my mind many times during my time of "who did it". But as my life has changed and I've gained more experience in 'life it'self, I am settled on " Lizzie didn't do it". At that time in life, women's voices had no power, we were often looked to be weak in mind, soul, and body. Anything she said would be held in contempt I feel. Why would a full grown woman nail her bedroom door shut? I question if she only did that when their male guest appeared. In my mind I believe , he was the culprit. Strange it only happened after he appeared. Could Lizzie have the strength to do this? In a fit of rage, yes, but there was quiet a bit of time between murders, so does the mania to do this awful crime last that long, or can be pulled back up at will? Something we'll never know, I imagine. Good story and presentation, thank you again. ❤

[@pain-killeryates5448]

I am of the same opinion...after reading about the case countless times in different books, i honestly don't think Lizzie had the strength, stamina, nor the balls to do something like this, especially to her elderly father. No matter how much we "hate" our parents, no child is capable of standing there, and hacking their 70 year old father to death without feeling anything. That is sick, and takes a really sick person to do that. Lizzie didn't have the strength to do it, BUT, I think SHE KNOW WHO DID. I think Lizzie colluded with someone to do the deed for her. That's why she wasn't covered in blood. She was evasive and her story wasn't making sense, because she was covering for someone...Well, that's my opinion on it

[@sasha-stone]

I've always thought she was guilty as long as I've been obsessed with this case but I recently read a book that looks at the other side. The only person I can think of who would have a motive would be the uncle. So perhaps his alibi is wrong.

[@MsBackstager]

@@pain-killeryates5448 Maybe the maid did the dirty work for her. Or even someone who frequented the house buying vinegar, eggs etc. from Mr. B. and this person knew the lay of the house and everyone's schedule.

[@pain-killeryates5448]

@@MsBackstager It's possible, but how could anyone be that stealthy and stay in the house for that long to do the deed? The house had doors that led into another room so I think it would be incredibly difficult for someone to move about unseen, or heard. The maid was only 18 I believe, and I can't believe an 18 year old female could do that to anyone. I could be wrong though. I really do think Lizzie knows who did it and is covering for that person

[@MsBackstager]

@@pain-killeryates5448 The maid Bridget/called Maggie by the sisters, was 26 at the time. Perhaps the maid knew who did it but stayed to clean up the mess and give Lizzie a good alibi. Lizzie could have hidden a man, in her locked room, for hours or even in the basement. There were 2 sets of stairs, one for the front upstairs rooms and one for the rear upstairs rooms. But we'll never know -- or will we?!!

[@knightowl3577]

Innocent until proven guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt! She was found innocent of the murders, it is as simple as that. She may have done it, but there is no concrete proof. Today, forensic investigation would soon point to the perpetrator. Lizzie's father has been portrayed as strict and perhaps abusive, although in other tellings of the tale it has been said that her father spoiled Lizzie, often buying her new bonnets and gloves etc. To the point it caused friction between the two sisters, and also between Lizzie and her step -mother. Also, the day before the murder, an itinerant stranger called at the house looking for work in the yard chopping wood, Mr. Borden had turned him away . Neighbors told the police about this man, but were ignored because they thought they already had the murderer in hand.

[@JS-wp4gs]

'She was found innocent of the murders, it is as simple as that' No it isn't. She was not found innocent she was found 'not guilty.' What a jury thinks doesn't mean anything. Plenty of guilty people get away with murder. Ask OJ about that

[@lisad476]

I have a feeling Lizzie did it. My theory would be her Father was judgmental, harsh, and never approved of her. Unkind and picked at her ( purely a theory) He treated her as a servant, expected chores for a monthly pay check from him. The step Mother was no better. She finally broke down.

[@nbenefiel]

Lizzie adored her father, according to everyone who knew them. He loved his daughters, he sent Emma to college and Lizzie to Europe. He gave them both a generous allowance. They wanted for nothing. The idea that Lizzie would hatchet her father to death is hard to believe. There is simply no evidence that she committed the murders. That is why she was acquitted so quickly..

[@lisad476]

@@nbenefiel ah see I didn't know that..ty for the info

[@TammyM36]

I think Lizzie did it but simply for his money. She was afraid it would all be left to Abby. She felt she was entitled to her fathers fortune. That’s a solid motive right there. It’s a misconception that Abby and Mr Borden treated the girls poorly. That’s false. I believe it was the girls , mostly Lizzie, who treated Abby poorly. I find it a shame that society and the media has portrayed Abby was a bad person. There are many other readings I read that she wasn’t a bad person but very caring. RIP Abby and Andrew

[@RajuDas-qu1li]

It is Lizzie Borden who committed these murders. The dress could be a trustable source of reliable forensic evidence. But unfortunately, it was burnt by Lizzie. More fascinating is the karmic relationship that existed in the family. Could you call Emma a partner-in-crime? The relationship between Lizzie and Emma seemed to be originated from a past life contract. Could it be that their stepmother and father did them regrettably wrong in their past lives? Was it For revenge both sisters had to reincarnate? The more I think deeply about the household, the members and the two sisters, the more curious I become. Human matters go deep! Deeper than you can imagine! Thank you for the video! Have z great day!

[@nbenefiel]

According to Bridget the dress she burned was not the dress she wore that day. The police said she was neat and clean and her hair was dry.. Bridget and one of Lizzie’s friends said she did not change her dress that day.

[@RajuDas-qu1li]

@@nbenefiel why did she burn that dress then? Why it was so necessary? A male police officer of the then time couldn't keep constant watch over her while she was in her private room engaged in some suspicious activities. The crime occurred before the police and the neighbour arrived. No deep forensic tests had been performed.

[@nbenefiel]

@@RajuDas-qu1liBoth Lizzie and Bridget said, in court under oath, that the dress was covered in paint. Lizzie did not change her dress the day of the murders.

[@RajuDas-qu1li]

@@nbenefiel No in-depth forensic probe.

[@JS-wp4gs]

@@nbenefiel People lie under oath all the time. Especially when on trial for murder. She did change her dress. The fact she burned the dress later speaks for itself. You don't burn a dress without a good reason and you definitely don't go through the trouble of burning it because of a paint stain. She was trying to destroy evidence. You don't do that if you aren't guilty

[@Rags2Itches]

It's amazing that some of these 'facts' about the family are so false. I know the family was a bit odd due to their father. Lizzy nailing her door shut screams that at the least, her privacy was not respected in the home. I do believe that Lizzy was SA'd by her father. I can see that childhood loss and trauma could of played into Lizzie's personality and the social standards of conformity for women, although being challenged, still were present. SA was not spoken of therefore Lizzy had secrets. Lizzy never married but the actress did live with Lizzy as her partner for years. I think the murderer was John. The other ax murder could of be a copy cat one. Toss in that Fall River was making tourist money hand over fist. Why ruin a profitable murder case committed by a woman of all things??!! IF the town did not want the noteriety they would of torn down that house, but it is still the same money maker since the murders. I also doubt that Lizzy had the strength to bludgeon her step mother and father that many times. John would of had that ability. Definitely a crime of anger. Revenge being the motivator IMO.

[@b.gauthier8610]

Emma and Lizzie got 5K $ from the sale of their house to their father. They may have used that money (or part of it) to hire a killer through their uncle's contacts from slaughterhouses. Neither the girls nor their uncle actually did the job. The uncle came to inform his nieces of the whom, where, when, and how the job was to be accomplished. Emma chose to be out of the way, so did the uncle realizing that, as a man, he'd be the primary suspect if he were onsite.. The uncle gave detailed info as to his whereabouts during the crimes because he knew they'd be required. Lizzie, as a female of good society, they felt sure, would avoid suspicion. So she was around to facilitate the "hitman's" work, making sure the maid wouldn't be in his way, and doors unlocked before his arrival and locked while he was in the house, etc. Likely he was the one who made her giggle when they were both upstairs, he hiding and she standing on the landing, while the maid was struggling to unlock the door to her master downstars. Lizzie wasn't to give the alarm until she knew the hitman was well out of reach and safe. This is only my theory but it seems rational to me after reading the depositions in the trial (available online in pdf format) and trying to put the pieces together logically.

[@nbenefiel]

Lizzie adored her father and was devastated when he was killed. She was not fond of her stepmother but had lived with her since she was a young child. Why would she suddenly have exploded and hatcheted both Abby and Andrew to death? Why that day?

[@pain-killeryates5448]

I think that Lizzie didn't kill her father or Mrs Borden, but she KNOWS who did it...

[@ThePsho]

I like this theory, especially how it aligns with Lizzie's request to keep the doors unlocked. It certainly has the least amount of holes in it compared to other theories. Though Lizzie adored her father, the killings may have been more out of a perceived necessity than emotion. Perhaps the uncle told the sisters that the father was about to cut everyone out of the money except the stepmother? I've seen my fair share of Columbo episodes where the changing of a will/inheritance motivates murder.

[@onesunnyday5699]

Just AFTER the Civil War?

[@JackReynolds-w7g]

Did she do it. 👍-Yes. 👎-No.

[@maryannnavarrette1903]

I think that Uncle John did it. I think his motive was because Mr Borden was giving the first Mrs Bordens land to the second Mrs Bordens family. I think Uncle John confided in Lizzie after the deed was done, before the police arrived (as in Lizzie helped Uncle John escape the house). I think that Lizzie covered for Uncle John out of loyalty and shock of the events after it was already done. I think that Emma stopped talking to Lizzie when Lizzie told her she'd covered for the real murderer Uncle John. Just my theory. Great video!! I really enjoyed it!

[@Catbooks]

Uncle John had an ironclad alibi that was corroborated. He wasn't the murderer. He had also had a 30-year friendship with Andrew. This was his brother in law, a man who married his sister who'd died 20+ years earlier. They had to have genuinely liked one another to retain a friendship for so many years, long after they had any direct ties. Most people wouldn't do that.

[@MiltonRobertsJr]

It fascinates us because Lizzie is actually innocent. It was Jack he didn't stop with the murders in 1888. Plus he or they were in the occult. They city "Fall River "was chosen for a reason. Lizzie takes the "Fall" the real killer gets away.

[@JohnPaynekj4wzo]

If I were a betting man I would believe the house keeper killed by Mr. & Mr. Borden.

[@TammyM36]

No way. She was seen outside cleaning windows for much of the time frame Abby was murdered. Even talking with neighbors. Lizzie on the oath hand, her whereabouts are not confirmed by anyone.

[@thelmatucker7598]

Sunday school teacher lezzie were so grief stricken by the murder of her parents she decided to go mansion shopping as a coping mechanism.

[@TheXmeimei]

The title claims "the truth", ... then you ended your video with "i have no clue"？？？

[@Mr1bigsexy]

It was John