Murdered Lawyer Had Pink Fingernails Stuck to Chest, Suspect Identified as Former Ballerina and Computer Scientist: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Nora Nelson (left); and Joseph Donohue.Photo:CBS News Boston; Family handout

CBS News Boston; Family handout

The 65-year-old Bostonattorney found dead on his houseboatthis month was discovered with pink fingernails stuck to his chest, authorities say.

Boston police have charged 24-year-old Nora Nelson, who was on the houseboat when police arrived, with murder, the department said ina statementlast week.

After the officers managed to get inside the boat, they found Donohue’s body wrapped in tarp and duct tape, attached to weights, per investigators,The Boston Globe,NBC BostonandWCVBreported.

Donohue had artificial pink fingernails stuck on his chest when he was discovered, the report stated, perThe Boston GlobeandCBS News.

There were blood stains on the blanket covering his body as well as the rear of the houseboat, police said.

Joseph Donohue.Family handout

Family handout

Nelson was arraigned in court on Friday, perThe Boston Globe, WCVB and CBS News.

Prosecutors contend Nelson tried to mislead police during their initial conversation, giving a fake name and claiming she hadn’t seen Donohue in some time, according to CBS News,The Boston Globeand WCVB.

She also allegedly claimed, falsely, that the blood on the vessel was from her period, per prosecutors,The Boston Globereported.

“Her statements were contradictory, and frankly she lied,” prosecutors said at her arraignment, per the outlet.

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According to her social media profiles, Nelson is a graduate of University of Maryland, a former ballerina and describes herself as an entrepreneur and a farmer.

In a photo on her Facebook from 2020, she wrote, “I’ve been out of the ballet scene for a while, but I think I still got it.”

Donohue was an attorney in Boston and divorced father of three, Borghesani told PEOPLE. He “dedicated his life and career to helping others,” his family previously said in a statement toBoston 25.

Nelson entered a plea of not guilty in court on Friday,The Boston Globe, WCVB and CBS News reported. She is being held without bail.

source: people.com