Boston attorney found murdered on houseboat was wrapped, duct taped and weighted down, prosecutor says
CHARLESTOWN - The Boston attorney who was found stabbed to death on his houseboat in Charlestown was "wrapped in a white and blue covering secured with duct tape and affixed with weights," a prosecutor said Friday.
Nora Nelson, 24, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of 65-year-old Joseph Donohue at her arraignment in Boston Municipal Court. She appeared in court for just a few minutes and was ordered held without bail.
Charlestown houseboat murder details
Prosecutor Rita Muse revealed new details about the murder during the hearing. Boston Police were called to Donohue's houseboat at the Charlestown Marina Sunday night for a well-being check after his family hadn't heard from him.
"When officers arrived at the residence, the defendant, Nora Nelson, answered the door," Muse told the court.
She said officers spotted Nelson inside allegedly "running and moving things around." When questioned, Nelson allegedly lied to police about her identity, saying her name was Casey, and claimed Donohue was at a strip club. The officers eventually insisted they step inside and as they went towards the back bedroom and patio, they found Donahue's body. Detectives claim they found fragments of Nelson's pink fingernails still stuck to his chest.
"When he opened the sliding doors in the bedroom leading to a patio area he saw what would later be identified as 65-year-old Joseph Donohue's body wrapped in a white and blue covering secured with duct tape and affixed with weights," Muse said.
Donohue's dog was found dead in the harbor, along with a knife, believed to be the murder weapon. Detectives said they also found cleaning supplies and blood in multiple locations.
Investigators determined Donohue died from stab wounds. Nelson was arrested and later charged with murder.
In court on Friday, Nelson shouted out in court, claiming she had no idea about Donohue's murder.
"But no one has ever told me that this even happened in my house!" Nelson said in court. "This is the first time I've ever heard of this happening in my house!"
"Miss Nelson maintains her innocence and she'll present her defense at trial. This is not the forum," said Ian Davis, Nelson's defense attorney, outside court.
Nora Nelson's legal history
Nelson has a history of legal troubles.
In September 2023, she was arrested for allegedly assaulting her then 63-year-old boyfriend after he claimed she owed him $300,000.
In January 2024, Nelson was sued for breaching a $2.6 million condo contract in the Seaport.
Last month, she allegedly became aggressive at a Nantasket Beach hotel in Hull and attempted to use someone else's credit card.
Nelson is due back in court in the Donahue murder investigation on March 6.
