24-year-old woman brutally stabbed her 65-year-old boyfriend 67 times in the chest and head, and left a knife fragment stuck in his skull before rolling his body in a carpet; charged

Massachusetts – In a deeply disturbing case in Massachusetts, a 24-year-old woman, identified as N. Nelson, stands accused of stabbing her 65-year-old boyfriend, identified as J. Donahue, dozens of times in the chest and head on his boat before attempting to conceal his body with disturbing precision. Nelson has been formally charged with murder and cruelty to animals following the death of her live-in partner, Donahue. Authorities say Nelson stabbed Donahue 67 times, leaving part of a knife blade lodged in his forehead, then wrapped his body in a carpet, tied it with duct tape and jump rope, and attempted to weigh it down with dumbbells.

Nelson pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on Friday in connection with the brutal February killing. She is being held without bail and faces a July 15 court date as she awaits trial. The case has been further complicated by questions surrounding her mental health and competence to stand trial. Police were dispatched to Donahue’s houseboat on February 2 after someone requested a welfare check. Officers arrived around 10:43 p.m. and were met by a woman who identified herself as “Casey” and gave contradictory responses about Donahue’s whereabouts. Prosecutor R. Muiz told the court that Nelson’s behavior raised immediate suspicions. At one point, when officers asked her to secure Donahue’s dog so they could speak further, she was spotted running inside the boat, apparently “cleaning up or picking up different items.”

After repeated nonsensical answers, officers entered the boat to perform a sweep. Just beyond the glass doors of the bedroom, they discovered Donahue’s body, wrapped tightly in a carpet and bound with duct tape. Dumbbells were secured to the bundle with a jump rope in what appeared to be a failed attempt to dispose of the body. The medical examiner’s report was as shocking as the crime scene. Donahue suffered 67 stab wounds to his chest and head, with part of a knife blade still lodged in his forehead. A dive team later recovered the matching knife in the water near the marina, confirming it as the murder weapon.

Adding to the disturbing details, investigators found two pink fake fingernails on Donahue’s body—nails that Nelson later admitted were hers. Police also noted extensive blood staining throughout the houseboat, particularly on a bedsheet used as a curtain. Another tragic discovery was made in the water nearby: the body of Donahue’s dog, which a necropsy later revealed had been strangled. Nelson’s erratic conduct didn’t stop at the scene. Once in custody, she reportedly provided a second fake name, calling herself “Mary.” These behaviors prompted her defense team to question her mental competency to stand trial. In April, a court-ordered mental health evaluation was conducted.

According to a court clinician, Nelson appeared to show signs of a psychotic disorder, though the symptoms seemed to lessen once she began taking prescribed medication. The clinician noted that Nelson “lacks understanding of the seriousness” of the charges she faces, further complicating the legal process. Nelson has been charged with murder and animal cruelty for the death of Donahue and his dog. She was previously ordered to undergo mental evaluation, and after missing a court appearance in May, she was remanded to custody without bail.

Prosecutor Muiz emphasized the violent nature of the attack, outlining the sheer number of stab wounds and the calculated efforts made to hide the body. The presence of multiple aliases and Nelson’s unusual demeanor during questioning have only deepened concern over her mental fitness. Her next scheduled court appearance is July 15, where further assessments may determine how and when the case proceeds. As the community and those close to Donahue reel from the gruesome details, authorities continue to piece together what led to such a violent and methodical act on what was once a peaceful houseboat in the harbor.