Horse dealers, doctors, and the other suspects left out of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

In Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, the titular character was shown as the true culprit behind the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden. 

Though Lizzie Borden was arrested and investigated for the murder of her parents, she was acquitted in both the show and in real life. She never admitted to the killings, even though she’s widely considered the perpetrator of the grisly crimes. 

In Monster, we got a brief look at some of the theories and rumours that swirled around the area at the time. One was an illegitimate son of Andrew’s, but there were so many more. 

Discounting Lizzie and Maggie, here are the others. 

Credit: Netflix

William S. Borden

This theory was briefly referenced in the Netflix show, and it claimed that Andrew Borden had an illegitimate son called William S. Borden who wanted money from his deadbeat dad. When Andrew refused, William flew a rage. 

Again, pure conjecture and nothing was proven. 

Dr. Seabury Bowen

Dr Seabury Bowen was one of the first people at the scene as the Bordens’ neighbour and long-term family friend. His post-murder actions caused quite a stir, The Lizzie Borden House reported, as Dr Seabury was seen burning paper in the Bordens’ stove shortly before the police arrived. He claimed it was a personal note and not related to the murder. 

The doctor was the person who prescribed Lizzie heavy doses of morphine before her trial, something that would eventually lead to her being acquitted. 

David Anthony

According to The Lizzie Borden House, David Anthony was a local Fall River man with affections for Lizzie Borden. Some theorists claim that either David committed the murders to protect the object of his affections, or that Lizzie had him do it to escape her parents. 

Again, this was speculation and rumours from the time. Despite the town whispering about his involvement, he was never questioned by the police. 

John Vinnicum Morse

Credit: Netflix

John Vinnicum Morse, the brother of Andrew Borden’s late first wife, was featured in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. 

But the story was slightly different in real life, as John turned up unannounced at the Borden property on August 3. He stayed in the second-floor guest room, the very room where Abbey Borden was discovered dead the next day. 

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John had an alibi for the murders, but it was suspiciously precise, according to the Lizzie Borden House, which has since been turned into a BnB and museum. 

Hiram Harrington

Another family member, Hiram Harrington, was implicated at Lizzie’s trial. As Andrew Borden’s brother-in-law, having married the late Sarah Borden’s sister, it was said that he had a bitter, multi-year grudge against the family. They had not spoken in years. 

Shortly after the murders, Hiram gave a scathing interview to the Fall River Daily Globe. He slammed the late Andrew Borden and argued that Lizzie was capable of committing the murders. 

Though suspected, he had an iron-clad alibi. 

José Correa de Mello

José Correa de Mello was an immigrant farmhand working in the town’s surrounding rural areas, and he was questioned at the time of the murders. Police ultimately found nothing in their search. 

Emma Borden 

Credit: Netflix

Lizzie’s sister, Emma Borden, was also suspected in the murders, even though she was 15 miles away in Fairhaven. 

Jack the Ripper 

The press at the time deliberately inflamed fears by referencing a particularly famous killer from London: Jack the Ripper. Though completely baseless, there were genuine fears that he’d crossed the Atlantic to continue killing, CBS reported. 

Dozens of people were questioned 

Historical documents from the time show just how far the police cast their net, with former employees, local drunks, and even a horse dealer dragged in for questioning in the earliest days of the investigations. All were released. 

They included: 

• Peleg Brightman – a local handyman
• Henry M. Carter – a tenant who had disagreements with Andrew
• Bearsley Cooper – a horse dealer 
• Dr Handy – a doctor and friend of Lizzie’s
• Alfred Johnson – a local labourer
• John Joseph Maher – a local drunk
• José Correiro – a criminal arrested for a similar murder a year later

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Featured image credit: Netflix