BOSTON — Police identified the victim of what they’re now calling a homicide on a Charlestown houseboat over the weekend.
65-year-old Joseph Donohue was found dead inside his boat at Shipway Place around 10:43 p.m. Sunday with multiple stab wounds, according to Boston Police.
Donohue’s family put out a statement on Wednesday, saying in part:
“Our family is 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. We’re grateful for the love and support we’ve received, and we kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
24-year-old Nora Nelson was arrested at the scene and is considered a person of interest by authorities. She was arraigned Tuesday in Boston Municipal Court on two two counts of malicious destruction of property, assault and battery on a person over the age of 60, assault and battery with a television remote, and threat to commit a crime in connection with an incident at 343 Commonwealth Avenue in September 2023.
Nelson is not being charged with Donohue’s murder but is being held on $7,500 bail for the other charges with the condition she wear a GPS monitoring device if she can post that amount.
She is due back in court on March 3, 2025.
Donohue is a father of three and also a Boston lawyer, according to a friend. Sources say Donohue’s dog was also found dead in the harbor, although it’s unclear how that came to be.
Residents at the Charlestown Marina called the incident tragic and reaffirmed the houseboat community is a tight-knit one.
The Boston Police Department’s Homicide Unit is leading the death investigation.
Anyone with information is strongly urged to contact detectives at 617-343-4470.
JUST IN: Boston police now ruling the death in Charlestown a homicide after finding a man stabbed multiple times on his houseboat Sunday night. Police just identified the victim as Joseph Donohue.
— Litsa Pappas (@LitsaPappas) February 5, 2025
His family sent us this picture of him.
We’ll have an update on the case at 6PM pic.twitter.com/zWKBBoS8aT
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
