Florida Matriarch Orchestrated Hit on Son-in-Law Over Custody Dispute
Donna Adelson's mugshot. Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Donna Adelson, 75, a matriarch from a wealthy Florida family, was sentenced on October 13, 2025, to life in prison for orchestrating the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law, Daniel "Dan" Markel, a Florida State University law professor. This verdict closes a decade-long saga marked by bitter custody battles, family betrayals, and a chilling murder plot that captivated Florida and beyond.
A Courtroom Drama Decades in the Making
The courtroom in Tallahassee was tense as Donna Adelson appeared shackled in a purple jumpsuit, her demeanor calm but resolute. Despite the weight of the verdict, she maintained her innocence, delivering a statement that cast doubt on the prosecution's case. She insisted she had no involvement in the murder and accused the state of failing to identify the true mastermind behind the killing. She said that if she had known about the plan before the murder, she would have stopped it, emphasizing her claim of innocence, as reported by PEOPLE.
Circuit Judge Stephen Everett was unyielding. He reportedly interrupted Adelson multiple times during her statement, condemning what he described as an "utter lack of remorse," as reported by the Associated Press. The judge made it clear that the evidence against her was overwhelming and that her denial did not sway the court. Everett declared that she could deny involvement, but the court found the evidence clear as he handed down the life sentence without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 30 years for conspiracy and solicitation charges to be served consecutively.
The Murder That Shook Florida
Daniel Markel was fatally shot in the head in July 2014 outside his Tallahassee home, shortly after dropping off his children at preschool. The attack was swift and brutal — two shots at point-blank range. Markel died 14 hours later in the hospital, leaving behind a grieving family and a community stunned by the violence.
At the heart of the tragedy was a bitter custody dispute between Markel and his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, Donna's daughter. The couple had been granted joint custody of their children, but tensions ran high, especially after a judge ruled against Wendi's attempt to relocate with the children from Tallahassee to South Florida. The custody battle was fraught with animosity, and prosecutors argued it provided a motive for the murder.
A Web of Conspiracy and Convictions
Donna Adelson was not the only family member ensnared in this deadly plot. Her son, Charles "Charlie" Adelson, was convicted in 2023 of the same charges — first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation — and is serving a life sentence. Alongside him, Katherine Magbanua, Charlie's former girlfriend, was also reportedly found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
The hitmen who carried out the murder were members of the Latin Kings gang. Sigfredo Garcia, identified as the triggerman, received a life sentence, while Luis Rivera accepted a plea deal and is serving 19 years. The two men reportedly stalked Markel on the morning of the shooting, following him back to his home before executing the attack.
Prosecutors portrayed Donna Adelson as the calculating matriarch who wielded her family's wealth and influence to orchestrate the murder of a man she reportedly "hated," as reported by the Associated Press. The level of planning and coordination, the judge noted, was significant and far from a crime of opportunity. It involved conspiring with her son and others to bring the murder to fruition.
The Defense and the Denial
Throughout the trial, Adelson's defense team argued that the state lacked sufficient evidence to directly link her to the murder plot. They suggested that other family members might have played more central roles and questioned the prosecution's narrative. Wendi Adelson, the ex-wife and mother of the children, denied any involvement and has not been charged in connection with the murder.
Despite the defense's efforts, the jury found Donna Adelson guilty on all counts in September 2025. Her sentencing marked the final chapter in a case that had gripped the public for over a decade, revealing the dark undercurrents of family conflict and the devastating consequences of unresolved disputes.
A Legacy of Tragedy and Justice
The Markel murder case is a stark reminder of how personal conflicts can escalate into tragedy. For Donna Adelson, the sentence means spending the rest of her life behind bars, a fate sealed by the court's firm stance on the evidence and her perceived lack of remorse.
As the courtroom drama concluded, Adelson's vow of innocence stood in sharp contrast to the judge's condemnation and the convictions of her son and co-conspirators. The case leaves behind a legacy of loss and a cautionary tale about the destructive power of family feuds.
For those following the story, the verdict offers a measure of closure, but the scars of this high-profile murder-for-hire plot will linger in the community and the lives of those affected for years to come.
References: Donna Adelson Sentenced to Life for Masterminding Her Ex-Son-in-Law's Murder | Donna Adelson sentenced to life in prison for hired killing of ex-son-in-law | Florida matriarch Donna Adelson gets life for hired hit of her ex-son-in-law | Where Is Donna Adelson Now? Inside Her Life After Masterminding Her Ex-Son-in-Law's Murder
