BOSTON — A 24-year-old woman has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing death of a 65-year-old man on a houseboat in Boston earlier this week, authorities announced Thursday.
Nora Nelson, 24, of Boston, is expected to be arraigned Friday in Charlestown District Court on a charge of murder in the death of Joseph Donohue, who was found dead late Sunday night inside his boat at Shipway Place at the Charlestown Marina, according to the Boston Police Department and Suffolk District Attorney’s Office.
Nelson was arrested at the scene on unrelated charges and initially labeled a “person of interest” in Donohue’s “suspicious” death during a subsequent court appearance.
During that court appearance, Nelson was arraigned on charges of two counts of malicious destruction of property, assault and battery on a person over the age of 60, assault and battery with a television remote, and threat to commit a crime in connection with a separate incident at 343 Commonwealth Avenue in September 2023.
Assistant Suffolk District Attorney Amelia Singh revealed that Nelson was born in Tennessee and also wanted on two non-extraditable warrants out of McKinney, Texas, for failing to identify herself, providing a false ID, and resisting arrest.
Nelson was ultimately ordered held on $7,500 bail with the condition she wore a GPS monitoring device if bail was posted.
The Boston Police Homicide Unit later obtained an arrest warrant charging Nelson with Donohue’s murder.
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One of Donohue’s distraught friends told Boston 25 News that the victim was a Boston lawyer and a divorced father of three. Sources say the victim’s dog was also found dead in the harbor, although it’s unclear how that came to be.
In a statement shared with Boston 25 News on Wednesday, Donohue’s family said, “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. We’re grateful for the love and support we’ve received, and we kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
Details on what led up to the stabbing weren’t immediately available. Additional information is expected to be revealed when she appears in court to face the murder charge.
Donohue’s death remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470.
Detectives assigned to the BPD Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant from Charlestown District Court charging Nora Nelson with the murder of Joseph Donohue.
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) February 6, 2025
Nelson is currently in custody on unrelated charges. She will be arraigned in Charlestown Court at a later time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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