The Killing of Professor Dan Markel: A Family Feud Turns Deadly (Part 1)

Moms and Mysteries: A True Crime Podcast - Ein Podcast von Not Your Mom Media

In this episode, we delve into the shocking murder of Harvard-educated law professor Dan Markel. His life was cut short in a targeted hit that investigators believe was a murder-for-hire plot. This is more than just a true crime drama; it's a story of a devoted father and brilliant legal scholar caught in a bitter family feud that spiraled into something unthinkable. Dan's divorce from his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, became an all-out war over the custody of their two young sons and relocation to South Florida. You'll hear about the powerful and controlling Adelson family, specifically Wendy's parents, Donna and Harvey, and her brother, Charlie, who had an "obsession" with their hatred of Dan. As the story unfolds, you’ll discover disturbing emails from Donna Adelson detailing a plan to manipulate Dan, including using his Jewish faith against him, and even joking about dressing the children in Hitler Youth uniforms. The police investigation quickly turned to the Adelson family after Wendy made some unusual comments and her boyfriend, Jeff Lacasse, urged them to look into her family. The timing of the murder, which took place just after a hearing on family control was set, was not lost on investigators, who saw a clear motive for murder. After his death, Wendy quickly moved their children to Miami and cut off contact with Dan's parents. Join us for Part 1 of this unbelievable case as we explore the chilling details that lead to the death of Dan Markel. The second part of this episode is available now on Patreon and will be available everywhere on Thursday.   Thank you to this week's sponsors! Keep it classic and cozy this fall cool—with long-lasting staples from Quince. Go to Quince.com/moms  for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.  See thicker, stronger, faster-growing hair with less shedding in just 3-6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MOMS.    Get new episodes a day early and ad free, plus chat episodes, at Patreon.com/momsandmysteriespodcast.    To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/MomsandMysteriesATrueCrimePodcast.    Check-out Moms and Mysteries to find links to our tiktok, youtube, twitter, instagram and more.  Sources: Dan Markel Murder Who Had Dan Markel Killed? January 17, 2018 New York Times Wedding Announcement February 26, 2006 Adelson flight to Vietnam lets state argue 'consciousness of guilt' in Markel murder, November 15, 2023 DAN MARKEL MURDER TRIAL: How we got here Katherine Magbanua sentenced to life in prison July 29, 2022 Katherine Magbanua found guilty of all charges in murder of Dan Markel May 30, 2022 Suspects in Markel murder case to be tried together June 20, 2018 Sigfredo Garcia found guilty, mistrial declared for Katherine Magbanua in Dan Markel's murder Charlie Adelson arrested on murder charges in connection to Dan Markel murder  April 21, 2022 Sigfredo Garcia gets life in prison for murder of Dan Markel Sept. 20, 2019 Dan Markel case: Family says justice 'partially served' with murder verdict and mistrial Oct 11, 2019 Florida dentist guilty of hiring hitman to kill brother-in-law Daniel Markel after custody fight with relative Nov 6, 2023 Charlie Adelson sentenced to life in murder for hire plot | CNN Dec 12, 2023 Katherine Magbanua, previously convicted, testifies on Day 3 of Charlie Adelson trial Oct. 30, 2023 Sigfredo Garcia Probable Cause Affidavit Charlie Adelson Appeal Markel, Adelson sparred up to the end  ‘Chilling’ conversation takes center stage as Wendi’s ex testifies in Donna Adelson murder trial (Jeff, June, testimonies) Dysfunctional family reunion: Kids against mom in Donna Adelson trial | Analysis (Rob and Wendi’s testimonies) Donna Adelson arrested in Dan Markel murder after booking one-way plane tickets to Vietnam Friends recall Dan Markel https://www.justicefordan.com/post/remembering-danny-on-his-50th-birthday A law professor was stalked and killed by hit men. His former mother-in-law is now on trial for the 2014 contract killing | CNN Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson 'micromanaged my life' | Court TV Charlie Adelson trashes ‘inbred’ jurors in jail calls to his mom | Court TV FL v. Adelson: Dentist Mastermind Murder Trial | Court TV https://www.stevenbepstein.com/wendi-adelson-interview https://edca.1dca.org/DcaDocs/2019/4005/2019-4005_Brief_1043927_RC12202D20Transcript20Received.pdf How Police Tracked Down and Caught 2 Suspected Hit Men in FSU Professor Murder Case  https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/bump-operation-led-to-phone-calls-restaurant-meeting-jurors-told-in-trial-for-murder-of-law-prof-markel Phone call recordings and video evidence played in courtroom to wrap day 7 of Donna Adelson trial Motives, codewords, wiretaps, and persistence: Backstory of Charlie Adelson’s arrest https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/08/police-markels-ex-brother--law-looked-into-hitman/90093878/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVpGpA-Qbno Wendi Adelson's ex-boyfriend testifies about chilling hitman comment | Court TV Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson 'micromanaged my life' | Court TV Donna and Adelson family net worth: 'Piles' of cash, millions in bank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-gyH8rXdIg ‘Spike in cash,’ investigators following the money after Dan Markel’s murder https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/judge_in_dan_markel_murder_case_approves_subpoena_for_breast_implant_paymen?utm_source=chatgpt.com#google_vignette Markel murder trial day 6: Retired, undercover FBI agent takes stand ​​Money was big focus on Day 6 of Dan Markel murder trial Prosecutor questions Florida dentist's claim he was extorted, not a murder-for-hire mastermind | AP News Wendi Adelson says she was surprised to learn Charlie knew Dan Markel's murderer all along Charlie Adelson testifies about gifts to co-conspirator, texts with mom in Dan Markel murder trial https://www.courttv.com/news/fl-v-donna-adelson-matriarch-mastermind-murder-trial/ Man is charged in death of law prof Dan Markel; case is reportedly investigated as murder for hire. New Suspect Arrested in 2014 Murder of Florida Professor Dan Markel - ABC News Markel, Adelson sparred up to the end See a timeline of key dates in the Dan Markel murder case Judge orders parents to appear for questioning as Charlie Adelson’s trial approaches Charlie Adelson appeals conviction and life sentence for 2014 murder of Dan Markel https://www.courttv.com/news/charlie-adelson-transfers-to-south-dakota-prison/#google_vignette ‘It’s not me:’ Donna Adelson’s plea in call to undercover agent wraps up marathon day of testimony State rests its case in Donna Adelson trial after witnesses who spent time with Donna in jail testify Donna Adelson’s murder trial features her adult children, fellow inmates and an undercover FBI agent as witnesses | CNN Donna’s emails (MUST READ) Ruth Markel talks about her search to find meaning after the murder of her son, Dan. https://ruthmarkel.com/ The Dan Markel Case: An Interview With Ruth Markel Wendi Adelson testifies in mother’s murder trial Jury hears opening statements in trial of Florida matriarch charged in her ex-son-in-law's death Ruth Markel wins Victim/Survivor of the Year Award, for 'kind,' firm' advocacy, passage of Markel Act & more The Dan Markel Case: Video Of Wendi Adelson Reacting To His Death; Charlie Adelson Joking About Hiring A Hitman - Above the Law LIVE BLOG: ‘It will be up to y’all to decide,’ Wendi Adelson testifies in brother’s murder trial Ex-wife Wendi Adelson testifies under immunity in Dan Markel case PrawfsBlawg: Cubby Markel's Got a Name! Or two... or three. Was Wendi Adelson Involved in the Murder-for-Hire Plot of Her Ex-Husband? Inside Dan Markel's Killing — and Where She Is Now Wendi Adelson’s Police Interview Deconstructed By Homicide Detective, FBI Special Agent Part Two: Wendi Adelson’s Police Interview Analyzed By Seasoned Investigators Wendi Adelson Interview Judge Admonishes Donna Adelson for Not Controlling Emotions Judge asks Donna Adelson to control her emotions during testimony Jailhouse informants testify Donna Adelson confessed, tried to buy false testimony | Court TV https://www.wtxl.com/downtown-tallahassee/jury-learning-about-donnas-character-through-close-friends-in-day-1-of-defense-presenting-its-case Donna Adelson defense casts suspicion on Charlie, Wendi as they seek trial dismissal ‘Our family was cursed’: Jury hears desperate Donna Adelson call, attempt to leave U.S. https://www.wctv.tv/2025/08/27/live-updates-donna-adelson-trial-testimony-day-4/ Family drama takes center stage at Donna Adelson's murder trial | Court TV Donna Adelson's big decision: Take the stand or hope silence saves her | Legal analysis NEW! What Donna's Planner Says about Her Psyche & What She Was Doing to Prepare for Vietnam Donna Adelson Trial: Defense Witness Day 8 Jury asked to follow detailed communication records over Dan Markel’s murder in Donna Adelson trial Markel Murder trial Day 5: Witness testimony focuses on Magbanua ‘I’m telling the truth, man’: Luis Rivera testifies in Magbanua retrial Markel Trial Day 7: The bump, money drops, cash deposits and wiretaps https://www.facebook.com/reel/1548660449877864 Day 2 trial tick-tock: Wendi Adelson grilled as she testifies under immunity | Recap Day 1 of Markel Murder Trial: Witnesses called to the stand Defense rests its case in Katherine Magbanua retrial Defense rests its case in Katherine Magbanua retrial Day Four: Luis Rivera Says He Wouldn't Shoot Dan Markel In Front Of Kids | WFSU News Donna Adelson guilty as charged in murder for hire plot    

Visit the podcast's native language site