Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Timeline, how long did it take for Andrew & abby to pass on ? Just
woundering how long the killer had to stand over them to make sure they passed on because I am guessing the killer would not want to leave the bodys untill he/she was sure they were dead.Was it a quicky death with both? I am guessing it took longer with andrew because he had more
injurys (Blows?) then abby?

Abby received 18 blows, and Andrew received 10 blows; I really don't think the number of blows had anything to do with the length of time it took for these two people to die. I believe the number of blows indicate that Abby was the primary target and Andrew was killed out of necessity.

The only person(s) who would know or come anywhere close to the actual length of time it took for Abby and Andrew to die, would the killer(s). However, considering the viciousness of the blows, I would guess they most likely died after the first few blows. I believe that both Andrew and Abby were the victims of overkill.

Autopsy of A. J. Borden:
http://www.lizzieandrewborden.com/Crime ... Borden.htm

Autopsy of Abby Borden:
http://www.lizzieandrewborden.com/Crime ... Borden.htm

I would say most likely after the first three or four blows. The heavy impact of the hatchet itself was enough to kill them but when you add in the penetration into the brain death was probably very quick.

I have seen videos of people still awake after suffering massive brain injuries in car wrecks and gun shots so instant death to Abby and Andrew is not guaranteed but it probably was very quick.

-1bigsteve (o:

I wounder how many minutes about? 3? 5? shorter then 1 minute?
How long was the killer with both of them about .

Dr. Draper testified at the trial (p1055+, Volume 2) to the following:

"Q. Doctor, taking the results of your observations, what should you say as to the time of death after the wounds were inflicted?
A. I am able to form an accurate judgment in the case of the man. I can only approximate in the case of the woman.
Q. You may give your opinion or judgment.
A. In regard to Mr. Borden, the cutting across of the internal carotid artery within the skull meant immediate death. In the case of the woman, there was stunning from the first blow, unconsciousness, and the length of survival might be five minutes, might be ten. Death might have come in one minute.
Q. You put the extreme limit at ten minutes?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. After all the blows were inflicted?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Ten minutes after all the blows were inflicted?
A. Yes, sir."

In Andrew's case the doctor would not know the order of the blows and to which one cut the carotid artery. But we can assume the blows were inflicted rapidly so it would be a matter of seconds in the attack before the carotid artery was struck.

They had to have been dead after the first few blows to the head. A hatchet is heavy and very powerful weapon. As gruesome as the murders were, it is doubtful that Mr. & Mrs. Borden suffered.

The question has been ansered for me, thank you all. I just wanted to
know if it was quick & took long & I got my anser & understand it better
now. The killer was not in the house for long.

I think the first few blows must of killed them instantly. Espcieally with andrew cuz the blow made his eye come out.

The murderer did more than kill his victims. She seemed to be trying to make a point of some kind. Go get a hammer or hatchet if you have one. Pretend to stand over each victim and count off the blows. I believe the murderer of Mrs. Borden killed her and then inflicted more wounds just for the satisfaction of it. Lizzie, how could you?!

"The killer was not in the house for long."

Except for living there...