On this day in 1892: The family of Lizzie Borden is found dead in its Fall River, Mass., home, launching one of the most enduring mysteries in American folklore.
Andrew and Abby Borden are found bludgeoned to death. Andrew’s face had been nearly split in two. Abby, Lizzie’s stepmother, was found with her head smashed to pieces.
Lizzie was the only other person besides the housekeeper who was present when the bodies were found, so suspicion soon fell upon her.
Because of the sensational nature of the killings, the trial attracted attention from around the nation. The fame of the incident has lasted in American pop culture and criminology.
Police did not trust new fingerprinting technology at the time and refused to test for prints on a hatchet found in the basement. The prosecution tried to prove that Lizzie had burned a dress similar to the one she was wearing on the day of the killings and had purchased a small axe the day before. The sweetlooking New England spinster was acquitted of the crime.
