born July 19, 1860, Fall River, Mass., U.S.
died June 1, 1927, Fall River
U.S. murder suspect.
The daughter of a businessman, she lived with her wealthy but parsimonious father and stepmother. On Aug. 4, 1892, Lizzie (according to her testimony) discovered her father and his wife dead in their home, brutally mutilated with a sharp instrument. Lizzie and the maid admitted to being in the house at the time of the murders. Lizzie was arrested and tried for both crimes, the maid being suspected as an accomplice. Evidence against Lizzie included her attempt to buy prussic acid (a poison) the day before the murders took place. An ax, which some suspected was the murder weapon, was found in the basement. Acquitted because of the circumstantial nature of the evidence, she remained in Fall River until her death, largely ostracized by the community.