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Grim new details emerge about high flying Boston attorney stabbed to death on his houseboat
A high-flying Boston attorney was allegedly fatally stabbed more than 67 by his lover on his houseboat.
Joseph Donahue, 65, was found with part of a knife blade stuck in his forehead and numerous stab wounds in February after police conducted a wellness check on his houseboat when he went radio silent for days.
His body was wrapped in a carpet that was secured with duct tape and weighed down by dumbbells that were connected via a jump rope, Law and Crime reported.
Two pink nails were also found on Donahue's body, with his alleged lover Nora Nelson, 24, admitting to police were hers.
The home was allegedly covered in a 'significant amount of reddish-brown stains' and one of Donahue's dogs Champ's body was found in the water near the boat. A necropsy report said the animal died from strangulation.
Part of a knife was also found in the water, matching the fragment that was located in his forehead, the outlet said.
Nelson also reportedly gave police two fake names - Casey and Mary - and was allegedly seen picking up things around the home before letting police in.
Police had arrived at the home around 11pm on February 2, Nelson answered the door with Donahue's other dog. Police asked her to secure the dog and while doing so, she was observed running around and 'cleaning up or picking up different items,' Prosecutor Rita Muiz said in court.
When she returned, she gave police 'inconsistent, contradictory, and frankly nonsensical answers' and told them her name was 'Casey,' prosecutors said.
Upon entering the household, Donahue's body was found and blood stains were seen throughout the home.
Nelson was taken to the police station, where she then said her name was 'Mary' and she was read her Miranda rights.
She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Friday. She has been charged with murder.
Since her arrest, her mental health has been evaluated and a clinician said the woman has symptoms of a psychotic disorder. Symptoms are lessening as she is medicated, Law and Crime stated.
As investigators looked into the young woman, who is originally from Tennessee, they found she had multiple warrants out for her arrest from unrelated incidents dating back to 2023.
Nelson's alleged criminal history was uncovered after she was identified as a person of interest in Donohue's death, and she was taken into custody on several unrelated warrants in Texas.
In September 2023, she faced charges of assault with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, threatening to commit a crime, and malicious destruction of property.
And just a month after that incident, Nelson allegedly shoved her ex-boyfriend and broke multiple items in his apartment after refusing to move out when they broke up, a police report said.
She had also allegedly thrown a television remote at her ex in another attack, and he accused her of owing him over $300,000, police said.
Nelson's attorneys said this week that she has no criminal record in Massachusetts and is a graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in computer science.
She is currently being held without bail.
Nelson is expected back in court on July 15.
