A 24-year-old woman, Nora Nelson, is facing murder charges after a 65-year-old Boston lawyer, Joseph Donohue, was discovered dead on his houseboat Sunday night. Donohue's body, wrapped in sheets and duct tape with weights attached, was found on the patio section of his vessel after his son requested a wellness check. Nelson was present on the houseboat when police arrived and allegedly provided conflicting and false information about Donohue's whereabouts.

Nelson initially identified herself using a false name and claimed Donohue was at a strip club. Despite her attempts at misdirection, officers searched the houseboat and discovered Donohue’s body. Further investigation revealed Donohue's deceased dog in the water nearby and signs of an attempted cleanup at the crime scene.

Nelson continued to offer inconsistent statements and a second false name to homicide detectives. She was initially arrested at the scene on unrelated warrants but was formally charged with murder on Thursday following an autopsy that confirmed Donohue's death was a homicide caused by multiple stab wounds. Prosecutors indicated that forensic evidence linked Nelson to the crime.

During her arraignment Friday morning, Nelson attempted to speak up but was interrupted by court officials. She appeared distressed when the prosecutor stated there was probable cause for her arrest in Donohue's murder. Nelson’s defense attorney requested time to review the evidence before addressing bail. The court entered a not guilty plea on her behalf, and she was ordered held without bail pending her next court appearance on March 6.

The investigation is ongoing, and Boston police are urging anyone with relevant information to contact homicide detectives. The nature of the relationship between Donohue and Nelson remains unclear. Records indicate Donohue resided on the houseboat and had been a practicing lawyer since the 1980s.