High-flying attorney is found stabbed to death at his boathouse as cops name woman, 24, as person of interest
A 24-year-old woman was named as a 'person of interest' following the stabbing death of a high-flying Boston attorney found murdered on his houseboat.
Joseph Donohue, 65, who was found dead last week - and suspect Nora Nelson was arraigned on 'unrelated warrants' on Tuesday by officers investigating the grisly murder.
Nelson was the only other person at the scene when Donohue was found, prosecutors said. As of Thursday, she has not been charged in relation to the attorney's death.
As investigators looked into the young woman, who is originally from Tennessee, they found she had multiple warrants out for her arrest from unrelated incidents dating back to 2023.
Officials have not offered any details over her alleged connection to Donohue, but said she was present when the attorney was found in his docked houseboat at the Charlestown Marina at 10:45pm on Sunday.
Forensic investigators with the Boston Police Department said Donohue died from multiple stab wounds and ruled his death as a homicide.
Donohue's family said after he was identified that they were 'heartbroken by this unimaginable loss.'
'Joe was a wonderful family member, a cherished friend, and a trusted colleague. Always generous and kind, he dedicated his life and career to helping others. He is loved and will be deeply missed,' the family said, per the Boston Globe.
Boston attorney Joseph Donohue, 65, was found stabbed to death on his houseboat at around 10:45pm on Sunday night
Nora Nelson, 24, was arraigned on 'unrelated warrants' on Tuesday by officers investigating Donohue's grisly death, naming her as a person of interest
Residents in the Charlestown Marina where Donohue was found dead (his houseboat is pictured) said police swarmed the area on Sunday night, and described the victim as 'friendly' and 'well known' in the area
Donohue's death, the fourth homicide in Boston this year compared to just one at this time last year, shocked the small boating community where he was found.
'To have this kind of police presence and this kind of activity going on is very concerning,' marina resident Chad Johansen told Boston25.
'They had police boats coming in and about 15 cops on the dock (on the night of the stabbing)... They asked us to stay inside and stay away from the scene. They said we were safe and there was no worry to our safety in the marina.
'They won't tell us anything about what's going on,' he added. 'Just very sketchy.'
Johansen said Donohue was 'well known' in the community, and described him as 'friendly and well spoken.'
Another resident at the marina told WBZ that they were left baffled by the death, adding of Nelson: 'What would she be doing out here with an older attorney?'
Nelson's alleged criminal history was uncovered after she was identified as a person of interest in Donohue's death, and she was taken into custody on several unrelated warrants in Texas.
In September 2023, she faced charges of assault with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, threatening to commit a crime, and malicious destruction of property.
And just a month after that incident, Nelson allegedly shoved her ex-boyfriend and broke multiple items in his apartment after refusing to move out when they broke up, a police report said.
Nelson was arrested after investigators looking into Donohue's death found she had several unrelated warrants from Texas dating back to 2023
Residents at the marina where Donohue was stabbed to death said the incident has shocked the community, and said police 'won't tell us anything about what's going on... Just very sketchy'
She had also allegedly thrown a television remote at her ex in another attack, and he accused her of owing him over $300,000, police said.
Nelson's attorneys said this week that she has no criminal record in Massachusetts and is a graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in computer science.
The 24-year-old's bail was set at $7,500, and she is next due in court on March 3.
The Boston Police Department is investigating Donohue's death, and said the investigation remains open as anyone with information is urged to contact the department.
