Topline: The suspect was found at the scene of the crime by officers conducting a welfare check on the victim.
Published: February 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Joseph Donohue (via family handout)
A 24-year-old woman is in jail accused of stabbing a Boston attorney to death on his houseboat.
According to police, 24-year-old Nora Nelson has been arrested in connection to the murder of Boston attorney Joseph Donohue, 65, who was found stabbed to death on February 2.
Police said officers responded to Shipway Place in Charlestown, Massachusetts, to investigate an incident on a houseboat on Sunday evening, February 2.
On arrival, officers located Donohue dead from multiple stab wounds.
According to WCVB, Donohue was stabbed dozens of times in the head and chest, and that the blade of the knife broke off in his skull.
WCVB reported his body was found wrapped in a rug and blanket and duct-taped, with hand weights tied to him. One of his dogs was found dead in the water nearby, sources said.
Divers reportedly recovered the rest of the murder weapon in the water.
Boston Police arrested Nelson, a Boston resident, at the scene on unrelated warrants.
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Detectives assigned to the Boston Police Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant from the Charlestown District Court charging Nelson with the murder of Donohue.
CBS News reported Prosecutor Rita Muse said during a hearing that police were called to Donohue’s houseboat for a well-being check requested by his family, who had not heard from him.
“When officers arrived at the residence, the defendant, Nora Nelson, answered the door,” Muse said.
She said officers saw Nelson inside allegedly “running and moving things around.” When questioned, Nelson allegedly lied to police about her identity and claimed Donohue was at a strip club. The officers insisted they step inside and found Donohue’s body as they went towards the back of the boat.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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The suspect was found at the scene of the crime by officers conducting a welfare check on the victim.
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Published: February 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
Joseph Donohue (via family handout)
A 24-year-old woman is in jail accused of stabbing a Boston attorney to death on his houseboat.
According to police, 24-year-old Nora Nelson has been arrested in connection to the murder of Boston attorney Joseph Donohue, 65, who was found stabbed to death on February 2.
Police said officers responded to Shipway Place in Charlestown, Massachusetts, to investigate an incident on a houseboat on Sunday evening, February 2.
On arrival, officers located Donohue dead from multiple stab wounds.
According to WCVB, Donohue was stabbed dozens of times in the head and chest, and that the blade of the knife broke off in his skull.
WCVB reported his body was found wrapped in a rug and blanket and duct-taped, with hand weights tied to him. One of his dogs was found dead in the water nearby, sources said.
Divers reportedly recovered the rest of the murder weapon in the water.
Boston Police arrested Nelson, a Boston resident, at the scene on unrelated warrants.
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Detectives assigned to the Boston Police Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant from the Charlestown District Court charging Nelson with the murder of Donohue.
CBS News reported Prosecutor Rita Muse said during a hearing that police were called to Donohue’s houseboat for a well-being check requested by his family, who had not heard from him.
“When officers arrived at the residence, the defendant, Nora Nelson, answered the door,” Muse said.
She said officers saw Nelson inside allegedly “running and moving things around.” When questioned, Nelson allegedly lied to police about her identity and claimed Donohue was at a strip club. The officers insisted they step inside and found Donohue’s body as they went towards the back of the boat.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Houseboat Murder: 24-Year-Old Woman Charged in Killing of Boston Attorney
The suspect was found at the scene of the crime by officers conducting a welfare check on the victim.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 9, 2025 8:00 am ET
Joseph Donohue (via family handout)
A 24-year-old woman is in jail accused of stabbing a Boston attorney to death on his houseboat.
According to police, 24-year-old Nora Nelson has been arrested in connection to the murder of Boston attorney Joseph Donohue, 65, who was found stabbed to death on February 2.
Police said officers responded to Shipway Place in Charlestown, Massachusetts, to investigate an incident on a houseboat on Sunday evening, February 2.
On arrival, officers located Donohue dead from multiple stab wounds.
According to WCVB, Donohue was stabbed dozens of times in the head and chest, and that the blade of the knife broke off in his skull.
WCVB reported his body was found wrapped in a rug and blanket and duct-taped, with hand weights tied to him. One of his dogs was found dead in the water nearby, sources said.
Divers reportedly recovered the rest of the murder weapon in the water.
Boston Police arrested Nelson, a Boston resident, at the scene on unrelated warrants.
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Detectives assigned to the Boston Police Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant from the Charlestown District Court charging Nelson with the murder of Donohue.
CBS News reported Prosecutor Rita Muse said during a hearing that police were called to Donohue’s houseboat for a well-being check requested by his family, who had not heard from him.
“When officers arrived at the residence, the defendant, Nora Nelson, answered the door,” Muse said.
She said officers saw Nelson inside allegedly “running and moving things around.” When questioned, Nelson allegedly lied to police about her identity and claimed Donohue was at a strip club. The officers insisted they step inside and found Donohue’s body as they went towards the back of the boat.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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