The start of a case that shocked the nation, involving Wendi Adelson and her suspected role in a murder-for-hire plot against her ex-husband, Dan Markel, has continued to unravel over the years. The tragic events unfolded over a decade ago, when Dan Markel, a respected Florida State law professor, was killed by a hired hitman in Tallahassee, Florida. Despite suspicions pointing towards Wendi’s involvement, she has never been formally charged in connection with the crime. The complex web of deceit and betrayal involves Wendi’s family members, with her brother Charlie allegedly orchestrating the murder plot. Key players in the conspiracy included individuals like Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, who were later convicted for their roles in the crime. More recently, Donna Adelson, Wendi and Charlie’s mother, has also faced charges related to the murder. Throughout the investigations and trials, Wendi has maintained her innocence, insisting she had no part in Dan’s tragic death. The case continues to captivate the public’s interest as new developments emerge.
During a harrowing experience with two girlfriends, I was pressured to accompany them back to the station, where I was interrogated relentlessly for eight hours. “It’s usually the ex-wife,” one of them remarked on a podcast. Wendi later recounted the ordeal, stating, “He died violently and young, likely at the hands of a professional killer. The media sensationalized the tragedy, displaying photos of my kids with Nancy Grace, George Stephanopoulos mentioning our ‘acrimonious divorce,’ and a picture from my friend’s wedding, now twisted as evidence against me rather than acknowledging me as a grieving mother of two boys left fatherless.”
Dan Markel and Wendi Adelson finalized their divorce in July 2013 after a tumultuous legal battle. Dan returned home in 2012 to find his family gone, the house emptied, and divorce papers laid out on the bed. Despite their split, they shared custody, but Dan raised concerns about Wendi’s handling of finances and family heirlooms. His fears about her family’s involvement in the divorce were documented, though he never expressed fear for his safety.
Allegedly, Wendi’s family pushed for her to move to South Florida, a move that investigators believed was a key factor in the murder plot. The Adelsons, particularly Wendi’s mother, were adamant about relocating her and the children, potentially influencing their access to the grandchildren.
The mastermind behind Dan Markel’s murder remains a mystery. Speculations point to a connection between the Adelson family and the killers, with emails suggesting a motive to coerce Markel into allowing the relocation to South Florida. Wendi eventually moved with her sons to Miami, changing their last names and limiting access to the Markel family. Despite bitter feelings about the custody arrangements, conflicting testimonies from acquaintances paint a complex picture of Wendi’s emotions and motivations.
Donna Adelson, Charlie Adelson, and Dan Markel were involved in a murder-for-hire plot that targeted Dan. Law enforcement consider Charlie, Wendi’s brother, to be the mastermind behind the scheme. At the time of the murder, Charlie was a wealthy periodontist in Florida who ran a dentistry practice with his father. The theory gained traction when Wendi’s ex, Lacasse, informed investigators that in 2013, Charlie had looked into hiring a hitman for $15,000.
During her testimony in 2019, Wendi admitted that Charlie had jokingly mentioned that buying her a TV was cheaper than hiring a hitman. At the time of Dan’s death, Charlie was dating Katherine Magbanua, who allegedly linked Charlie to the individuals who carried out the murder.
In late 2023, Charlie was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and solicitation of first-degree murder. He received a life sentence in prison along with 60 additional years for the conspiracy and solicitation charges. Following his conviction, Donna, Charlie and Wendi’s mother, faced the same charges as her son and was arrested at the Miami-Dade International Airport while attempting to flee the country with her husband, Harvey Adelson.
In Dan Markel’s murder case, four individuals were convicted, including Charlie. Prosecutors claimed that Charlie had Magbanua hire Sigfredo Garcia to carry out the murder. Garcia, in turn, enlisted Luis Rivera, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against the others.
Garcia received a life sentence plus 30 years for conspiracy, while Magbanua received a similar sentence as Charlie. Donna was scheduled to stand trial in September 2024, but the trial was postponed until June 2025 due to conflicts of interest. Wendi, on the other hand, has denied involvement in the murder, although prosecutors have labeled her as a “conspirator.”
Wendi Adelson expressed confidence in her situation, stating that she did not believe the state would arrest her. Testimony from Lacasse in October 2019 revealed a troubling conversation he had with Wendi just days before Dan’s death, during a difficult period in their relationship. Lacasse recounted Wendi mentioning that Charlie had considered various options to address their problem, including the suggestion of having Professor Markel killed.
Wendi Adelson currently resides in South Florida with her two sons, maintaining her innocence in Dan’s murder. She left her position at FSU’s law school in 2015 and later worked as the executive director of the Immigration Partnership & Coalition Fund. Presently, she is associated with the St. Michael’s Legal Center for Women and Children in Miami Beach and serves as a available PA for the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project. She remains a member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
The case of her late husband has garnered national attention for more than a decade, being featured on various media outlets such as Dateline, 20/20, and People Magazine Investigates. It was also the focus of the first season of the true crime podcast, Over My Dead Body by Wondery. In a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat in 2019 through her attorney, John Lauro, Adelson expressed ongoing grief for Dan’s loss, emphasizing the lasting impact on her family.
