Woman stabbed lawyer 67 times, strangled his dog, prosecutors say

Key Takeaways:

• Nora Nelson Charged with Murder: The 24-year-old faces charges for the death of Joseph Donohue.
• Victim Stabbed 67 Times: Donohue suffered multiple stab wounds of varying severity.
• Dog Also Killed: Donohue’s dog was strangled, its body found in the water near the houseboat.
• Crime Scene on Charlestown Houseboat: The murder took place aboard Donohue’s docked houseboat.
• Nelson’s Prior Arrests: She has previous charges, including assault and battery on a police officer.

A Grisly Discovery on the Charlestown Marina

The tranquil setting of Boston’s Charlestown Marina was shattered when authorities discovered the body of 65-year-old attorney Joseph Donohue on his houseboat. During a well-being check on February 2, officers were met at the door by Nora Nelson, 24, who appeared evasive and provided false information about Donohue’s whereabouts.

An Alarming Scene

“When she answered the door, Donohue’s golden retriever also approached,” Assistant District Attorney Rita Clare Muse recounted. Officers instructed Nelson to secure the dog and return, but observed her frantically moving about the boat through a slit in the curtain. Sensing something amiss, they entered the vessel.

What they found was horrifying. Donohue’s body lay at the stern of the boat, wrapped in carpet and fabric, secured with duct tape, and weighted down with dumbbells attached by a jump rope. “There was a significant amount of reddish-brown stains throughout the apartment and a sheet serving as a curtain… covered in what appeared to be blood,” Muse detailed.

Evidence of a Brutal Crime

An autopsy revealed that Donohue had been stabbed 67 times, with wounds varying in depth and severity. A small piece of a knife was extracted from his forehead, while the remaining fragment was recovered from the water outside the houseboat’s kitchen by a dive team. Two fake pink fingernails found on his body were later admitted by Nelson to be hers.

Adding to the tragedy, Donohue’s second dog, Champ, was found in the water at the bow of the boat. A necropsy determined the dog died from asphyxiation, most likely strangulation.

Nelson’s Evasive Behavior

At the scene and later at Boston Police Headquarters, Nelson provided nonsensical and contradictory statements, offering false names and stories about Donohue’s activities. Surveillance footage from the marina indicated that Nelson was the only person to enter the houseboat after Donohue was last seen on January 31, 2025.

A Troubled Past

This incident was not Nelson’s first encounter with law enforcement. In October 2023, she was arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on a family or household member and assault and battery on a police officer. Court records show she failed to appear for a hearing in May, resulting in a forfeited bail.

Family Mourns the Loss

Donohue’s family expressed their devastation in a statement: “Our family is heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. Joe was a wonderful family member, a cherished friend, and a trusted colleague. Always generous and kind, he dedicated his life and career to helping others. He is loved and will be deeply missed.”

Looking Ahead

Nelson was indicted last month and is charged with murder and animal cruelty. She was ordered held without bail following her arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court and is scheduled to return to court on July 15 for a motions hearing.

The tragic death of Joseph Donohue has left a community in shock and a family in mourning, as the legal process unfolds to uncover the full extent of the events that led to this horrific crime.