Netflix’s Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story brings one of America’s most infamous murder cases to the screen, but the eight-episode season leaves out several intriguing details from Lizzie Borden’s real life.

The fourth installment of the Monster anthology, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, stars Ella Beatty as Lizzie, the Fall River, Massachusetts, woman accused of killing her father, Andrew Borden, and stepmother, Abby Borden, with an axe in 1892.

The series incorporates many elements of the real case, including Lizzie’s arrest, sensational trial and eventual acquittal. However, its fictionalized story does not cover everything that happened before and after the murders.

Here are six fascinating details about the real Lizzie Borden that Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story leaves out.

1. Lizzie Was More Involved In Her Community Than The Series Shows

In Monster, Lizzie is largely portrayed as an isolated young woman whose life revolves around her home, animals and private struggles.

The real Lizzie was reportedly much more involved in the Fall River community.

According to American Heritage, she taught Sunday School to children of Chinese immigrants and participated in several local organizations, including Christian Endeavor, the Fruit and Flower Mission and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

Her charitable activities also included work connected to Good Samaritan Charity Hospital.

She was also involved in preparing the church’s annual Christmas dinner for local newsboys.

These activities paint a broader picture of Lizzie’s life outside the Borden household and the murder case that eventually made her infamous.

2. Lizzie Had Already Traveled Through Europe

The series makes Lizzie’s fascination with Bridget “Maggie” Sullivan’s travels particularly noticeable.

When Lizzie learns that Maggie has traveled around Europe, she seems fascinated by the experience.

In reality, however, Lizzie was not unfamiliar with international travel.

When she was 30, her father reportedly sent her on a months-long trip through Europe. National Archives records indicate that Lizzie traveled with two of her cousins.

The trip was one indication that her life included experiences far beyond the confines of the Borden family home.

3. Lizzie Was Reportedly Accused Of Trying To Buy Poison

The series includes an attempted poisoning involving Lizzie and Maggie, but the real case also contains a strange detail involving poison.

There is no evidence that Andrew and Abby actually became sick because of poisoned oysters. However, members of the Borden household did experience an illness shortly before the murders.

According to reports cited by People, Bridget, Abby, Andrew and Andrew’s brother-in-law John Morse became sick several days before the killings. Doctors and investigators eventually connected that illness to food, including swordfish and overheated mutton broth.

More intriguingly, a pharmacist later claimed that Lizzie had attempted to purchase prussic acid the day before the murders.

According to the account, Lizzie said she wanted the chemical to put an edge on a seal-skin cape. The pharmacist reportedly refused to sell it to her because the explanation seemed unusual.

The episode became another curious detail surrounding a case already filled with unanswered questions.

4. The Borden Family Had A Major Financial Dispute

Andrew Borden is portrayed as wealthy but extremely frugal, a characterization that reflects accounts of the real-life patriarch.

However, the financial tensions between Andrew and his daughters went beyond what the series explores.

One significant dispute occurred in 1887, when Andrew purchased a house for his wife Abby so that her half-sister could live there.

According to American Heritage, Lizzie and her sister Emma reportedly learned about the purchase indirectly rather than hearing about it from their parents.

The sisters were said to have been angry and bitter about the decision.

Andrew subsequently purchased a property for Lizzie and Emma to rent out, apparently in an effort to ease the tension.

The family’s disagreements over money became an important part of the background surrounding the Borden household.

5. Lizzie Was Later Accused Of Shoplifting

Lizzie’s acquittal in the murders did not completely end her encounters with the law.

In 1897, four years after the trial, she was reportedly accused of stealing two painted porcelain pieces from a Providence jewelry store.

According to The Herald News, Lizzie was known to shop at the store.

The situation came to light after a woman brought one of the missing pieces into the shop for repairs. She reportedly told an employee that Lizzie had given it to her as a gift.

Police subsequently issued an arrest warrant and searched Lizzie’s home, where they found the other missing piece.

Lizzie maintained that she had paid for both items.

Ultimately, the jewelry store chose not to pursue the matter, and the arrest warrant was never served.

6. Lizzie Died In 1927 After Years Of Isolation

The Netflix series gives Lizzie’s story a fictionalized ending rather than following her real life through her final years.

In reality, Lizzie eventually became increasingly isolated.

The later part of her life was spent largely away from public attention. In 1926, she underwent surgery to have her gallbladder removed, but her health continued to deteriorate.

Lizzie died at her home on June 1, 1927. She was 66 years old.

She was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River, Massachusetts, alongside members of her family, including her father, stepmother and sister Emma.

Emma died just nine days after Lizzie.

What Monster Leaves Out About Lizzie Borden

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story uses the infamous murder case as the foundation for a heavily dramatized portrait of Lizzie, focusing on her family relationships, her connection with Maggie and the circumstances surrounding the killings.

But the real Lizzie’s life was considerably broader than the events depicted on screen.

Her community involvement, European travels, financial disputes with her family, alleged shoplifting incident and later years of isolation all provide additional context for a woman whose name became permanently linked to one of America’s most famous unsolved cultural mysteries.

Source: Compiled from various sources