Enigmatic Nellie McHenry arrived in Fall River alongside her husband, Detective Edwin McHenry, shortly after the brutal murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. Dubbed the "mysterious lady in black" by local newspapers, Nellie would provide important clues about the household by disguising herself as a relative of the late Mrs. Borden and skillfully gained the trust of Bridget Sullivan, the Borden family’s maid to extract confidential details about the household.

Bridget spoke candidly, revealing key insights that she never disclosed during her preliminary or superior court testimony. However, the world remained unaware of Nellie McHenry’s undercover work until 1989, when the grandson of Prosecutor Hosea Knowlton donated his grandfather's legal files to the Fall River Historical Society—documents that were later published in 1994.

Among Bridget’s revelations was the denial of Lizzie’s claim that a messenger boy delivered a note summoning Mrs. Borden to visit a sick friend. For one, the front door was still double-locked, forcing Mr. Borden to be let in by Bridget upon his return. Additionally, Mrs. Borden never left the house without informing Bridget, even for something as simple as a yeast cake.

Bridget had attempted to leave her position three times, but each time, Mrs. Borden persuaded her to stay by increasing her wages. Though reluctant to share specifics, Bridget admitted that living and working in a household devoid of love was too difficult for her.

Nellie McHenry is played by Tanya Montoya.

VoiceOver Narrator: Mike Paine

Interview by Borden Experts created with Google Notebook LLM.

Trial testimony provided by the website of LizzieAndrewBorden.com with permission from Stefani Koorey.

Royalty-free music: Unstoppable and Adrenaline by Jon Wright

Other sources: The Knowlton Papers by FRHS

The Case Against Lizzie Borden by William Spencer.

Directed & Produced by Kate Lavender

Visit Lizzie Borden Audio on my YouTube channel and leave a comment!

https://www.youtube.com/@lizziebordenaudio

This episode contains new information of Lizzie refusing a search and barring the officers from looking inside her room or bureau. Later this information would be disputed as tho it never happened. Read it for yourself in the book "The Jennings Journals, 1892" by the Fall River Historical Society. What was she hiding? Please leave a comment if you know.

Alice said she knew "it was cold blooded murder" implying it was Lizzie by the way that her Uncle, John V. Morse, looked directly into Lizzie's eyes and cried out, "How in the name of God does something like this happen, Lizzie?" when he became emotionally distraught upon hearing that the Bordens had been brutally slain in the few hours since they had all dined together at breakfast.

On further reflection I believe that John Morse was the one person that truly grieved over the loss of Andrew and Abby Borden as he found in Andrew a brotherly, best friend that he could confide in financially and share a sense of belonging as brother-in-laws, his Fall River family for over 42 years when his sister Sarah married Andrew. They were very much alike and shared many secrets which Emma would pry out of him by her letter writing.

The information of John Morse is known to me bc I have recorded the inquest of Charles Sawyer which also goes into more detail about the anguish that John Morse exhibited that day. Unlike Lizzie who was busy swooning.

Included is the expert testimony of Dr. Ed Wood, Professor of Chemistry at Harvard Medical School and his autopsy results of the stomach contents of Andrew and Abby Borden for prussic acid. Unfortunately, he says he would need at least a full two weeks to test for other poisons.

The Flat Iron Theory as a murder weapon is discussed in a letter written to the District Attorney in a letter.

Alice hints that she changed after she found a big ugly stick that scared her under the bed she slept in suggesting that Lizzie may have planted it there. But the FRPD did another thorough search during the funeral and they are the ones that put it back under the bed that made her take notice. I think she changed because of something else she saw or heard regarding Lizzie's behavior - was it because of the dress burning? Was it because she never saw Lizzie cry but only swoon?

Alice Russell played by Shaily Rae Smith
D.A. Hosea Knowlton played by Tim Dennis
HK006 - What Became of the Piece of Lead? by Brenda McGinnis
Irish Cop and Narration by DJ/Radio Star Jack Cone
Lizzie Barrs the Officers: Tanya Montoya as Lizzie Borden
Tim Dennis as Officer Harrington
Dr. Ed Wood played by David Loftus
John V. Morse & Flat Iron Theory by Jack Dabdoub
Lizzie's Axe by David Loftus

FATAL CHOICE opening music by eBunny
CANDY FACTORY by Roman Cano (Alice's theme)
SPOOKY WALTZ by Elena Naumova (Lizzie's new Axe)
SHIMMERING WATERS by Jon Wright (Flat Iron Theory)
HAPPY HALLOWEEN by Ahoami (Closing theme)

Trial transcripts provided with permission by Stefani Koorey
and the website LizzieAndrewBorden.com

Produced by Kate Lavender

Please leave a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!

Podcast Superstar and mentor Courtney Kocak has a new podcast called "THE BLEEDERS" for writers that want to get published. Courtney interviews the top people in the industry, authors, agents and marketers on how to write and sell your book!
She’s got you covered with a podcast, a Substack AND a Youtube video!!

We can’t get enough of Courtney and NEITHER WILL YOU! That’s “The Bleeeeeeeders” a show for writers that want to learn all the secret hacks that attract eyeballs to your writing… follow Courtney Kocak on X for the deals and steals that helped her get her show to Number 1 on Apple Podcasts! And thanks for being a Lizzie lover, Courtney cux WE LOVE YOU BACK!!!

And don’t forget to listen to Jonsey on KBOO R

Dr. Bowen was summoned shortly after Lizzie Borden discovered the body of her father, Andrew Borden, dead in the sitting room with his head smashed open by a hatchet. Shortly after Doc Bowen arrived he encountered several witnesses and gave his timeline of events and sadly, described how Mrs. Borden visited his office early Wednesday morning stating that someone was trying to poison her the day before the murders.

Bowen made acute observations on Lizzie and Bridget's behavior including what they were wearing, their composure, and whether or not Lizzie was fainting or crying as the papers said she "was having fainting fits."

District Attorney Hosea Knowlton: Tim Dennis
Dr. Seabury W. Bowen: David Loftus
Fainting Lizzie: Rina Sklar
Music: The Gargoyles of Notre Dame by Alex Grey
Voiceover Narration: Don Sharp @Sharpvoiceovers on Fiverr
Trial transcripts provided with permission by Stefani Koorey
and www.LizzieAndrewBorden.com

HK 130 and HK 332 were selected from "The Knowlton Papers" by the Fall River Historical Society.
Performed by CrankyPants T.D. Dennis

"Jonsey" on KBOO.fm.org for some of the most interesting people in the world of books, podcasts, radio theater, music & humor. Guaranteed to entertain & enlighten. And thanks for the review, Jonsey! Jonsey @KBOO.fm.org

Courtney Kocak's "PODCAST BESTIE" is a best friend to podcasters trying to grow & monetize their shows with the top marketing professionals in podcasting with a ton of DIY tips and tricks. And thanks for the shoutouts, Bestie!

Visit www.HighDesertSpores.com for the home mushroom grower.