True crime fans around the globe have already enjoyed streaming three seasons of Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology series. The show, which premiered in 2022, centers on a different true crime story with each installment, shedding light on some of history’s most shocking murderers. Previous seasons have centered on Jeffrey Dahmer, Lyle and Erik Menendez and most recently Ed Gein.

Even though the show’s third season has only just premiered, Murphy has already announced that a fourth season is in active production. Season four of Monster will showcase the tale of Lizzie Borden, an alleged axe murderer from Fall River, Massachusetts. There are already a handful of confirmed details that have been provided to the press as the show begins preproduction. So, whether you’re a true crime fanatic or just an avid history buff, let’s take a moment to examine the Lizzie Borden case and see what we can learn about the forthcoming season of Monster.

Who will ‘Monster’ season four be about?

According to an official press release from Netflix’s Tudum, production for season four of Monster has already begun. Max Winkler is returning to direct the first episode of the season, with Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan serving as producers. The new season is set to follow Lizzie Borden, who was accused of a brutal double homicide in 1892. For those unfamiliar with her story, the young woman was tried and ultimately acquitted of chopping up her father and stepmother with an axe.

Though she was ultimately found not guilty by the courts, Borden has become something of a folk legend in the southern Massachusetts area, with many historians and true crime fans believing that she is guilty. If you know anyone who grew up in the Fall River area, they’ll surely recognize the popular folk rhyme “Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother 40 whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41.”

Ella Beatty will portray Borden in the series, with Charlie Hunnam returning to the Monster franchise as Borden’s father. Hunnam is currently creeping out Netflix subscribers with his portrayal of Ed Gein in the show’s third season. Vicky Krieps, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd and Jessica Barden are also confirmed to star in the new season, as various members of the Borden family and social circle.

Who will Charlie Hunnam play?

Charlie Hunnam has been confirmed to portray Andrew Borden in the series. Andrew was the president of a local bank in Fall River, Massachusetts, and a prominent member of high society for his time. Before he was murdered, Andrew was said to be an eccentric man, known for being quite frugal and apprehensive of new technology. He refused to outfit his home with amenities such as electricity and running water, despite having a family fortune worth more than $300,000. That’s roughly $10 million, adjusted for inflation.

Though Borden was a prominent businessman, today he’s best known for his gruesome demise. In August 1892, Andrew and his wife, Abby, were brutally murdered by an unknown assailant. Both parties were struck in the face with a hatchet more than a dozen times each. According to forensic experts, Abby was facing her killer at the time of her murder, while Andrew was lying asleep on his couch. Multiple members of the family were home during the time of the murders, but only Lizzie stood accused of the crime in court.

What happened to Lizzie Borden?

Lizzie Borden was almost immediately named as a suspect in the double homicide, thanks to her immediate proximity to both victims, as well as the ongoing tension and animosity that had been swirling in the home. Lizzie told police officers that a home invader was likely responsible for the slayings, though her responses to basic questions were contradictory.

Apparently, Lizzie and her sister were becoming increasingly frustrated with their father in the weeks leading up to his death, due to an ongoing dispute about real estate and the disbursal of the family fortune. Some historians have argued that Lizzie disliked her stepmother and believed she was only with Andrew for his money. Andrew had gifted various properties to his wife’s family in the months leading up to his death, in an uncharacteristic act of generosity.

Lizzie’s trial began in June 1893. By all accounts, she behaved erratically and refused to provide straight answers to any questions, including those that would have strengthened her case. Police entered a hatchet into evidence, which was recovered in the basement of the Borden home, though the prosecution ultimately failed to prove that it was the murder weapon. In the end, Lizzie Borden was acquitted of all charges, leaving hundreds of onlookers who were closely following the trial shocked and baffled.

Why was Lizzie found innocent?

Though some people maintain that Lizzie Borden’s guilt is a sure thing, there were a number of holes in the prosecution’s argument. Police investigators admitted to doing a poor job of surveilling the home immediately after the murders, citing the fact that Lizzie and her family were sick during their initial sweep. Where they normally would have taken samples of clothing or inspected each party for blood, they offered the family enough time and privacy to wash up and change.

Officers also failed to confirm that the hatchet submitted into evidence was definitely the murder weapon. A similar axe murderer took place in southern Massachusetts days after the trial began, causing some to wonder if Lizzie’s home invader claim had some truth to it.

Prosecutors also failed to prove that Lizzie was inside the home when the murders were committed. Though the family maid claimed Lizzie was upstairs during this time, Lizzie argued that she had gone out to the barn, and multiple witnesses confirmed that she had been outside. All in all, it’s impossible to know for sure if Borden was guilty, making the case perfect for the new season of Monster to explore.

Who else could have killed Lizzie Borden’s family?

Lizzie Borden continued to be the prime suspect in the murders until her death in 1927. Since her stepmother died before her father, her fortune was transferred to him, and his entire fortune was transferred to Lizzie. She lived the rest of her days as a social pariah, but benefited greatly from the tragedy. Though many view Lizzie as the killer to this very day, Famous Trials notes that others have suggested that her maternal uncle, John Morse, could have been the true perpetrator.

Morse visited the home days before the slayings and was invited to stay for some time in order to discuss matters of business with Andrew. Some sources have suggested that their financial discussion could have become heated, causing Morse to lash out and attack the Borden family patriarch.

Some historians have also theorized that a mysterious man by the name of William Borden could have committed the murders. This man is said to be the illegitimate son of Andrew Borden. If this is true, then it’s possible that William was holding a grudge for being left out of the family fortune. Those who believe in this theory also suggest that William may have attempted unsuccessfully to extort money from his father before resorting to violence.

This would, of course, support Lizzie’s theory of a home invader. Of course, there’s no concrete answer for this tale, making it one of the many shocking cold cases to grip the public’s attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lizzie Borden’s house still standing?

Not only is the Lizzie Borden home still standing, but today it is a functional bed and breakfast, which is open to visitors of all backgrounds. True crime fans with a morbid curiosity for the Borden trial are welcome to book a room in the historic building and even pose for photos with Lizzie’s belongings. The home was built in the mid-1800s, and is located in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Did Lizzie Borden have a female lover?

Though Lizzie Borden’s sexuality was under scrutiny throughout much of her life, she never publicly revealed a female partner. According to The New York Times, historians believe that she may have been romantically entangled with actress Nance O’Neill, as the pair were close friends. O’Neill was an out-of-the-closet lesbian and a frequent guest in Lizzie’s home throughout the latter’s adult life. As In Magazine notes, others have speculated that Borden may have been romantically involved with her maid, Bridget Sullivan. No matter what the truth may be, the fact remains that there is no concrete confirmation one way or the other.

Are there any living descendants of Lizzie Borden?

Neither Lizzie Borden nor her sister Emma ever had any children of their own. Still, Lizzie technically has living relatives courtesy of a few of her cousins. Not much is known about the family today, so it’s likely that they’re living relatively normal lives and not capitalizing on the infamous name. There is a wide variety of people named Borden in and around the Fall River area

Lizzie Borden

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