Detective Nellie McHenry - Aug 25, 1892

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

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