It's safe to say that Lizzie remains at the heart of one of America's greatest mysteries, with there clearly still being a ferocious appetite in regards to the outcome of her case as many continue to wonder if she did kill her father and stepmother.
Along the way, various figures like Aileen Wuornos and Elizabeth Báthory are mentioned, building on last season's narrative technique of examining the legacy of these 'monsters'.
But what was the true story of Lizzie Borden, did she spend time in prison and was she actually in a secret relationship with live-in maid Maggie? Read on to find out more, including more about Wuornos and why she appears in the series.
What is the true story behind Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story?
Over the years, there have been many theories about what actually happened in the Borden household on that fateful day in 1892, with the new Netflix series reimagining what happened through its own lens to focus on "an icon who refuses to live imprisoned in a cage, choosing instead to forge her own legend: shocking, monstrous, and gloriously free", as per Monster's synopsis.
Rather than choosing to live in a more affluent part of their neighbourhood, he favoured Second Street where he converted a two-tenant home (with no indoor plumbing) into a place to live with his small family.
In the weeks leading up to the murders of Andrew and Abby, there were tensions in the Borden household over Andrew handing over property to members of Abby's family. An argument between the daughters and Andrew led the pair of women to take a long break away in New Bedford, only returning to Fall River a week before the murders.
Lizzie and Emma's maternal uncle, John Morse – who hadn't actually been in regular contact since the death of his sister – actually stayed at the Borden household the night before the murders. He would later become a significant suspect in the case.
View Green Video on the source websiteThe investigation of the crimes came under the spotlight for its lack of diligence, as well as the lack of concrete evidence and continued theories about who killed Andrew and Abby. The police at the time would reference Lizzie's attitude, while residents suspected Lizzie of purchasing prussic acid (which is poisonous) the day before the murders.
Lizzie was subsequently arrested and jailed, with the 13-day trial unfolding a year after her arrest in 1893.
Lizzie and Emma had inherited a major portion of Andrew's estate and had lived together for another 10 years before Emma abruptly moved out in 1905, with the pair never speaking again afterwards. It was said that the rift was caused by Lizzie throwing a party for her friend and actress Nance O'Neil. While details of the sisters' falling out have never been disclosed, there was plenty of gossip surrounding Lizzie and Nance at the time due to the close nature of their friendship.
Lizzie died of pneumonia on 1 June 1927 at the age of 66, with Emma also passing away nine days later from chronic nephritis.
Were Lizzie and Maggie actually in a relationship?
The Netflix drama’s version of Lizzie (Ella Beatty) and Maggie (Vicky Krieps) shows them in a heady, intoxicating affair.
Maggie was a live-in maid in the Borden household, who had emigrated from Ireland to the US. At the time of Andrew and Abby's murders, only Maggie and Lizzie were in the household. Maggie was said to have been outside the home, washing windows and therefore looking into the rooms. So many have thought that Maggie would have witnessed the attacks and known the truth about what had happened, with many alleging that could point to her playing a part in the crime and potentially being an accomplice.
In the series, it's shown that Lizzie and Maggie concocted the murder plot together after Abby kills all of Lizzie's doves and Andrew does nothing about it. Frustrated at her treatment, Lizzie enlists Maggie's help and they try to poison their food, which doesn't work so they then turn to using axes at a later date.
Author Evan Hunter was the first to publicise theories relating to Lizzie's sexuality and relationship with Maggie in his 1984 novel Lizzie. In the book, Hunter sets out that Andrew and Abby find out about their affair but their reaction leaves a sour taste in Lizzie's mouth and she murders them.
At the time of the trial though, there was no mention of Lizzie's sexuality nor of her relationship with Maggie.
Was Aileen Wuornos actually inspired by Lizzie Borden?
Aileen shot, killed and robbed seven of her male clients while working as a sex worker during the years of 1989 and 1990. As we see in the series, Aileen initially claims that these murders were done in self-defence, claiming that the men had raped or attempted to rape her.
However, there is no proof of Aileen ever having been inspired by Lizzie and it appears to just be a fictionalised storyline for the sake of the Netflix series.
Aileen spent a total of 10 years on death row and was executed by lethal injection in October 2002.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, series co-creator Ian Brennan said: "It very quickly became that the story we were telling was about female rage. Then we were able to develop this triptych of Elizabeth Bathory, Aileen Wuornos and Lizzie Borden, which kept the show from seeming like a stuffy, diorama piece by going through these time periods of women who were each aware of the next — Lizzie knew about Elizabeth Bathory, and Aileen Wuornos knew about Lizzie Borden. To have those three stories talk to one another made it feel much more contemporary and of the moment."
Speaking of Sarah Paulson's turn as the serial killer, Brennan also said: "We find with this show that around the third or fourth episode, you need to change it up a bit. So when she comes in, it’s just when you’re on the verge of getting ahead of the story. She shows up and completely broadens the story and deepens it. We’re so lucky to have gotten her. She’s one of the greats."
In the series, we see that Aileen goes to visit the Borden household. In reality, there's no evidence that actually happened, although the house is now used as a bed and breakfast.
Was Elizabeth Báthory a real person?
Maggie suggests that Lizzie read the story to expand her mind a little once she arrives in the Borden household but seeing as it's written in French, Lizzie is unable to read it initially. Instead, she favours Maggie reading it to her at night and it's in those evenings, that we see the story come to life.
Elizabeth and her servants were arrested in 1609, with her servants put on trial in 1611 and three eventually executed. As for Elizabeth, she was never put on trial and lived out the rest of her life in the Castle of Csejte (Čachtice), where she died in her sleep in 1614.
While her crimes have gone down as folklore and legend ever since – including a focus on the rumour of her bathing in blood to retain her youth – the reality of them has been disputed over the years. Some scholars have concluded that accusations were made against her in a politically motivated move at the time, also pointing to the fact that the main investigator appointed to the case supposedly owed Elizabeth a large financial debt.
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