Lizzie Borden took an axe—but what did she really do? When her father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby, were found brutally murdered on August 4, 1892, suspicion quickly fell on Lizzie. Though the crime was never solved, her alleged involvement has captivated audiences and haunted schoolyard rhymes for nearly 150 years. Even today, the events surrounding the murder fascinate lovers of true crime and permeate pop culture. Her life and trial inspired several movies, including The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975), Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (2014) starring Christina Ricci, and Lizzie (2018). The most recent project, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story , explores the gruesome murders and aftermath, with Lizzie portrayed by actor Ella Beatty . Here’s what we know about the timeline of the brutal hatchet killings of Andrew and Abby Borden, Lizzie’s trial, and her life after acquittal. The Murders of Andrew Borden and Abby Borden August 3, 1892: Lizzie tries to buy poison The day before the murders, Lizzie attempts to buy prussic acid from a local drugstore, claiming she needed it to keep moths from eating a fur cape, according to National Geographic . She also has a conversation with neighbor and friend Alice Russell in which she expresses concern someone is out to get her father. August 4, 1892: Lizzie Borden’s parents are killed Lizzie Borden’s father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby, were found murdered in their home at 92 Second Street in Fall River, Massachusetts. That morning, Andrew and Abby had breakfast with a guest, John Morse, who had spent the night. Lizzie, 32 at the time, was home but did not attend breakfast. (She was reportedly still feeling unwell after the entire household fell ill with stomach issues.) Just a few hours later, Andrew and Abby would be discovered brutally murdered in their own home. At 9:00 a.m., Andrew leaves the house to run errands and conduct business. While he’s out, Abby, 64, is likely killed around 9:30 a.m. She was found upstairs later in the day. She died from blunt force trauma to the back of the head, struck 18 or 19 times. Based on eyewitness testimony from those he saw that morning, he likely returns home from his errands around 11 a.m. where he retreats to the couch for a nap. Soon after, around 11:10 a.m ., Lizzie discovers the body of her father, Andrew, 69, which is still warm. He was bludgeoned to death, killed by 10 to 11 whacks, likely from a hatchet. (The murder weapon was never found.) Neighbors and police begin arriving on the scene. Autopsies are performed on the dining room table in the Borden family home around 3:30 p.m., where the medical examiner confirmed both victims had been killed by a sharp, heavy weapon. Their stomachs were sent to Harvard Medical School for chemical analysis, according to The Historic Lizzie Borden House website. The only two people who are home that morning are Lizzie and the Borden’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, an Irish immigrant. Emma Borden, 41 at the time, is out of town. Police first assume it’s a robbery-gone-wrong, arresting an innocent Portuguese immigrant . They don’t immediately arrest Lizzie but soon begin to suspect her. August 9, 1892: Lizzie is questioned by police Five days after the murders, Lizzie gives conflicting statements during a police inquest held between August 9–11, 1892. She first tells authorities she was out back in the unventilated barn looking for “irons” (fishing sinkers) for an upcoming fishing trip when her parents were killed—a story she also tells her neighbor Adelaide Churchill. Later, Lizzie claims she was in the barn eating pears. Afterward, she said she went back into the house, where she found her father dead in the sitting room, but did not make an effort to look for her stepmother. This was the only time she testified in court under oath, according to Smithsonian magazine . August 11, 1892: Lizzie is arrested Lizzie is arrested in Fall River for the murder of her parents. The following day, she enters a not guilty plea and is moved to a jail in Taunton, Massachusetts, just outside Fall River. By August 23, Judge Josiah Blaisdell announces her “probably guilty” and declares there is enough evidence to try Lizzie for the murder of her parents after a preliminary hearing. The Murder Trial of Lizzie Borden June 5, 1893: Lizzie’s trial begins Lizzie’s trial begins in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She appears in court dressed in black, presenting herself as a helpless woman at the suggestion of her lawyers. With her father’s money, she was able to afford a good legal team, including the former governor of Massachusetts, George Robinson. Her demeanor is described as “quiet, modest, and well-bred,” by one newspaper. Thanks to the sensational nature of the crime, and a nearby telegraph booth , the trial gains national attention and is dubbed the “trial of the century.” The prosecution claimed she committed the murders out of greed, according to Britannica . The prosecutor claimed Lizzie had a strained relationship with her father and stepmother due to her inheritance and property Andrew had given to Abby. Testimony also reveals a strained relationship between Lizzie and Abby. A seamstress testifies Lizzie called her stepmother “a mean good-for nothing thing” and that she said “I don't have much to do with her; I stay in my room most of the time.” June 7, 1893: Bridget Sullivan testifies The Borden’s maid, Bridget Sullivan, a 26-year-old Irish immigrant, testifies Lizzie was in the home when the murders took place. Sullivan herself was also there during the murders, cleaning the house and washing the external windows. She claims she doesn’t see anyone else at the home except Abby, who asked her to clean the windows, Lizzie at the back entry screen door while she was cleaning, and Andrew when he returns from his errands. Her testimony also includes information about the doors being locked, and that she unlocked the front door for Andrew when she heard someone having trouble opening the locks. After she cleans the windows, she goes upstairs to her room to rest, saying “I don't remember to have heard a sound of anyone about the house, except those I named.” However, Sullivan also testifies that she never witnessed an unkind word or any disagreements between Lizzie and her stepmother, Abby. June 8, 1893: Alice Russell testifies Lizzie’s friend and neighbor, Alice Russell, testifies Lizzie visited her the night before the murders, allegedly claiming she feared being poisoned, and that her father had enemies who might want to harm him. Russell also testifiies she saw Lizzie burn a dress the Sunday after the muder, claiming Lizzie said “I am going to burn up this old thing covered in paint.” Russell says she told Lizzie, “I would not let anyone see you do that,” at the time. However, her sister later testifies it was an old, paint-covered garment. That same day, a doctor also testifies that some of Lizzie’s confusion and conflicting statements about her whereabouts during the murder may have been caused by morphine he prescribed her.

June 12, 1893: Lizzie’s testimony is excluded A judge decides that her inquest testimony cannot be submitted into evidence, as it was made without her lawyer and considered not voluntary. Aside from her social standing, a few other things work in Lizzie’s favor during trial. June 14, 1893: The prosecution rests The prosecution rests its case after the judge disallows testimony that Lizzie allegedly tried to—unsuccessfully—buy poison at a drug store the day before the murders. The defense leans on the lack of physical evidence. The murder weapon was never found and she did not have blood on her when police arrived. The authorities showed up at the house shortly after her father’s murder, which wouldn’t have given her enough time to clean up. To find her guilty would “be so deplorable an evil that the tongue can never speak its wickedness,” Robinson told the 12-man jury . June 20, 1893: Lizzie is found not guilty Lizzie is acquitted by an all-male, white, protestant jury on June 20, 1893. The jury deliberated for around 90 minutes before delivering a not guilty verdict, deciding an upper-class woman was incapable of committing the murders. Lizzie Borden’s Life After Acquittal September 1893: Lizzie buys Maplecroft with Emma Though the jury found her not guilty, Lizzie is considered guilty by many in Fall River after her murder trial , especially since the crime was never solved. After the trial, Lizzie begins going by Lizbeth. She and Emma purchase a 14-room, Queen-Anne style home on The Hill, which they name Maplecroft. Lizzie lives a largely isolated life inside the home. She begins to travel to Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., to shop, dine, and attend the theatre. During this time, she befriends actor Nance O’Neil. February 1897: Lizzie is accused of shoplifting Lizzie is accused —but never found guilty—of shoplifting while visiting Rhode Island. June 1905: Lizzie and Emma stop talking Emma and Lizzie have a falling-out and Emma moves out of Maplecroft. The sisters remain estranged for the rest of their lives. Some speculate it was due to her disapproval of Lizzie’s close relationship with O’Neil. June 1, 1927: Lizzie Borden dies Lizzie dies at 66 years old. Her cause of death is pneumonia, which she contracted after gallbladder surgery. Her sister Emma dies nine days later of chronic kidney disease. How to Watch Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story revisits the Borden murders and the sensational trial that ended in Lizzie’s acquittal. All eight episodes begin streaming on Netflix September 17. Jordan Smith is a freelance writer, editor, and author with 10 years of experience reporting on health and fitness news and trends. She's also an ISSA certified running coach, and is passionate about making fitness accessible to all. You can find her work in publications including Runner's World , SELF , Prose , Vital Proteins , and more. The Philadelphia-based writer has yet to meet a workout class she doesn't like and can be found exploring the robust Philly food scene, hiking with her three dogs, and chronicling her attempt at tackling her endless TBR . How Accurate Is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story ? Why Was Lizzie Borden Acquitted? The Truth About Lizzie Borden and Nance O’Neil Who Were Lizzie Borden’s Parents? Who Was Lizzie Borden’s Maid Bridget Sullivan? Who Was Lizzie Borden’s Sister Emma? What to Know About ‘Monster’ Season 4 Meet ‘Monster’ Star Ella Beatty Lizzie Borden’s Life After Acquittal Did Ed Gein Help Capture Ted Bundy? How Many People Did Ed Gein Kill?