Nora T. Nelson, a 24-year-old woman, has been indicted for the murder of 65-year-old Charlestown lawyer Joseph Donahue, as well as for allegedly strangling his dog. The indictment was filed this week, moving her case from District Court to Suffolk Superior Court.
Nelson had previously been held on a murder charge stemming from the killing of Donahue earlier this year, which took place on his houseboat in February. This recent indictment includes additional charges related to the death of Donahue’s dog.
During Friday’s arraignment, Nelson pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be held without bail. The details revealed thus far point to a brutal crime that has left the Charlestown community shocked. Police discovered Donahue’s body on February 2, after his family requested a wellness check due to not having heard from him for several days.
Upon arriving at the Charlestown Marina, officers found Nelson inside the houseboat named the Alinea. She was reportedly with one of Donahue’s two dogs and claimed she needed to secure the animal before allowing police to enter.
However, as officers looked through a crack in the door, they observed Nelson acting suspiciously and picking up various items inside the boat. When questioned about Donahue’s whereabouts, Nelson provided a series of inconsistent and confusing responses, prompting police to enter the boat.
Inside, they encountered a gruesome scene. Donahue’s body was discovered wrapped in a carpet, bound with a jump rope, and weighed down with dumbbells. He had suffered a staggering 67 stab wounds, and a broken knife blade was found lodged in his forehead. Investigators later recovered the rest of the knife from the nearby water.
In a disturbing twist, one of Donahue’s dogs, named Champ, was found dead in the water. Investigators concluded that the dog had died by asphyxiation, likely from being strangled, leading to the additional charges against Nelson.
After discovering Donahue’s body, police brought Nelson to the station for further questioning. She allegedly provided officers with two false names and continued to give erratic and illogical answers during the interrogation. Eventually, she admitted that two pink fake fingernails found on Donahue’s body belonged to her.
The motive behind the alleged killings remains unclear, with neither the prosecution nor Nelson’s attorney commenting on the subject. Notably, this is not Nelson’s first run-in with the law; she faces two pending assault cases involving prior relationships, both of which she has pleaded not guilty to.
Following Donahue’s murder, Nelson was arrested and charged with his death in Charlestown District Court. The case underwent scrutiny regarding her mental health competency before being moved to the Superior Court, where serious felony cases are tried. If convicted of first-degree murder, Nelson could face a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
In a statement following the indictment, Donahue’s family expressed their condolences over his death and extended gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts. “We remain heartbroken by the devastating loss of our beloved Joe, and continue to appreciate the love and support we have received since his passing,” the family stated.
As the legal proceedings unfold, both the community and Donahue’s family hope for justice in this tragic case.
image source from：https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/13/metro/charlestown-houseboat-murder-nora-nelson-joseph-donahue/
