The murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette occurred near Big Moose Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Grace Brown, who worked in a factory in Cortland, had been involved in a difficult romantic relationship with Chester Gillette, the son of a wealthy family. Their relationship was marked by emotional turmoil, particularly as Grace became aware of Gillette's reluctance to commit and his growing distance as he began to seek a life of greater opportunity. On that fateful day, the couple was reported to have gone for a boat ride on the lake; it was here that Gillette murdered Brown. Her body was later recovered from the lake, and the subsequent investigation revealed stark inconsistencies in Gillette's narrative regarding her death.

The trial that followed drew in significant media attention, as it embodied a gripping tale of deception and social disparity. Gillette’s defense claimed that Grace had drowned accidentally, but evidence suggested otherwise, including statements from witnesses. The prosecution painted a grim picture of a premeditated crime fueled by Gillette's desire to escape his obligations and marry another woman. Ultimately, he was convicted and faced the death penalty, which further fueled public fascination with the trial. The trial and its outcome sparked debates around morality, gender roles, and class in early 20th-century America.

The case's sensational nature and the drama surrounding it led to its being immortalized in Theodore Dreiser's novel, ‘An American Tragedy.’ This literary work explored the themes that arose from the trial, including ambition, capitalism, and social class, cementing the murder's place in American culture. Dreiser's portrayal of the events emphasized the complexity of human motivations and the stark societal divides of the period, contributing to the ongoing discourse surrounding morality and justice in America.