The Lizzie Borden murders have become one of the most notorious crimes in American history — and the sensational trial that followed has captivated the country for over a century.

In 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife, Abby, were murdered in broad daylight inside their Massachusetts home, just blocks from the town’s busy center. Viciously attacked with a hatchet, both Andrew and Abby were repeatedly struck by their assailant, nearly rendering them unrecognizable. No one had seen anyone enter the property or even heard any commotion that morning. And despite the brutality of the crime, Andrew’s 32-year-old daughter Lizzie quickly became a prime suspect.

The murders and the accusation that a young woman could be responsible for killing her own father and stepmother came as a shock to the small, tight-knit community. The ensuing investigation and trial drew national attention, and Lizzie was ultimately acquitted of murder and was allowed to return to Fall River a free woman.

Now, Netflix is exploring Lizzie’s infamous life in Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, starring Ella Beatty as the titular character.

So who was Lizzie Borden and what happened during her trial? Here are all the details you need to know.

What happened on the day Andrew and Abby were killed?

The morning of Aug. 4, 1892, began like many other days in the Borden household. Andrew and Abby came downstairs for breakfast and were joined by John Morse, the brother of Andrew’s late wife, Sarah. He had arrived in town the evening prior and was staying in the home’s guest room.

According to Borden family maid Bridget Sullivan’s court testimony, Abby, Andrew and Morse all had breakfast together, which she had prepared. At the time, Emma was out of town and Lizzie often had breakfast later in the morning, without her family. After eating, Morse headed out around 8:45 a.m. on some errands and to visit another family member, per The Strange Case of Lizzie Borden. Meanwhile, Lizzie left her room to have her own breakfast.

During Lizzie’s inquest, she recalled speaking with the three others in the household. Her father headed out on his daily walk and Abby worked around the house, eventually heading to the guest room to make the bed. Sullivan began her chores, which included cleaning the home’s windows. During that time, she did not recall witnessing any unusual activity or seeing anyone suspicious enter the home.

While what happened over the course of the next few hours has never been confirmed with certainty, testimony from Lizzie and Sullivan, as well as nearby neighbors, have helped piece together the moments leading up to Abby and Andrew’s murder.

It’s believed that some time after 9:30 a.m. while Abby was tidying the guest room, she was approached by her killer, who was equipped with a hatchet. She was hit as many as 19 times in the head and neck, leading to her death. Her body was not discovered until later in the morning.

Andrew returned home from his walk just before 11 a.m. Having trouble unlocking the front door, he was let back into the house by Sullivan. According to her testimony, at that point in time, she heard Lizzie laughing and believed she was upstairs, placing her incredibly close to Abby’s body — although Lizzie later claimed to be elsewhere. Sullivan went back to her chores and Lizzie came downstairs to speak with her father.

After the trio milled about the house for a short time, Sullivan retired to her attic bedroom to rest. Meanwhile, Lizzie headed to the barn to look for something, according to her inquest. Andrew took the opportunity to relax, laying down on the sofa in the living area. Moments later, he was murdered.

Like his wife, Andrew was also attacked with a hatchet, receiving as many as 11 blows to his face, leaving him nearly unrecognizable, according to Smithsonian Magazine. His body was allegedly discovered by Lizzie just minutes later, his wounds still fresh. At 11:10 a.m., Lizzie frantically called upstairs to Sullivan and sent her to fetch a nearby doctor. Shortly after, Abby’s body was discovered.

By the time Sullivan returned, many neighbors had been alerted to the incident and had joined Lizzie inside. It began an investigation into one of the most infamous murders of the 19th century.

What happened during the murder investigation?

Given such an unprecedented event, police in Fall River were not prepared to investigate a double homicide, ultimately compromising the crime scene and the early days of the investigation.

When police arrived at the home, they interviewed everyone who had been staying in the house, including Morse, who had not been on the property at the time of the murders and had an airtight alibi. Officers spoke to Lizzie on several occasions throughout the day, although her answers became contradictory over time and her lack of emotional response drew immediate suspicion, per Smithsonian Magazine. In fact, when asked about her relationship with Abby, Lizzie was quick to correct officers that she was not her mother and actually her stepmother.

The home was also searched thoroughly, but given the time period and social norms, officers felt uncomfortable going through a woman’s belongings. Because of this, certain things “weren’t done,” according to Michael Martins from Fall River Historical Society. Despite the difficulties, officers did find several items of interest. That included a box of hatchets in the basement, one of which had a broken hilt and appeared to be used quite recently. It was covered in ash, as if it had been washed, dried, then purposely covered in soot.

In the basement, investigators also uncovered a pail filled with bloody cloths, which could have been a key piece of evidence in the case. Instead, Lizzie claimed to be menstruating, which was confirmed by her family doctor, and the pail was never examined. Exactly what was inside remains unknown, per CBS News.

During that time period, an employee at a nearby drugstore also came forward to claim that Lizzie had recently visited the shop and inquired about purchasing prussic acid, an incredibly dangerous and deadly substance. Lizzie claimed that she had done so because she wanted to use the acid to clean a seal-skin cape. The druggist declined the sale without a prescription.

Lizzie was eventually named a prime suspect in Andrew and Abby’s murders.

What happened during Lizzie Borden’s trial?

Several days after being named a suspect, an inquest began. Over the course of three days, Lizzie took the stand but was not allowed to have a lawyer present. It was the only time she testified in court under oath, per Smithsonian Magazine.

While speaking with authorities, Lizzie’s behavior was considered evasive and she often contradicted herself, at times even making self-incriminating statements. She could not remember exactly where she was in the home prior to the murders and avoided answering questions. Although her actions appeared to show guilt, her family’s doctor later testified that he had prescribed a double dose of morphine to help her sleep, which could have led to her confusion while on the stand.

On Aug. 11, Lizzie was served an arrest warrant and jailed. On Dec. 2, Lizzie was eventually indicted on three counts of murder — one for Andrew, one for Abby and one for the pair as a couple. The case went to trial the following year, in June 1893. This time, Lizzie was allowed a lawyer and was defended by her father’s attorney, Andrew Jennings, as well as former Massachusetts Governor George D. Robinson. Coincidentally, Robinson had previously appointed one of the three judges, Justice Justin Dewey, who was presiding over the case.

Robinson also helped advise Lizzie on her appearance, coaching her to appear more innocent, more feminine and incapable of committing such a horrific crime. She showed up to court in all black and sometimes even carried flowers, per The Strange Case of Lizzie Borden. Her femininity ended up becoming one of her strongest assets.

Lizzie’s initial testimony given during the inquest was also ruled inadmissible at the trial as she did not have a lawyer with her at the time. The testimony from the druggist was also inadmissible as it was “too remote” in nature and Bordens had not been killed by poison. With no eyewitness or traces of blood connecting her to the crime, the prosecution’s case relied solely on circumstantial evidence.

Over the course of the 13-day trial, others close to Lizzie testified in her favor. Lizzie herself did not testify, only making a singular statement to proclaim her innocence.

Before the jury deliberated, Justice Dewey summarized the case, controversially favoring Lizzie’s innocence while citing her character and involvement in her church. He even questioned the state’s expert witnesses.

It took the jury just about one hour to reach their verdict and acquitted Lizzie of the murders.

Was Lizzie Borden convicted of any crime?

Lizzie was never convicted of any crime associated with the murder of her father and stepmother. Although she had spent 10 months behind bars while the investigation and trial played out, the conclusion of the trial allowed her to return home a free woman.

While she was never found guilty of a crime, she was ostracized from society more than ever before. She changed her name to Lizbeth and eventually used her inheritance to move into a luxurious 14-room home in Fall River with her sister Emma. It had indoor plumbing, multiple bedrooms, a library and even a housekeeper and servants.

The crime followed Lizzie for the rest of her life, constantly garnering media attention but the murderer was never found. The case remains unsolved to this day.