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.

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Sources:

Dan Markel Murder

1. Who Had Dan Markel Killed? January 17, 2018

2. New York Times Wedding Announcement February 26, 2006

3. Adelson flight to Vietnam lets state argue 'consciousness of guilt' in Markel murder, November 15, 2023

4. DAN MARKEL MURDER TRIAL: How we got here

5. Katherine Magbanua sentenced to life in prison July 29, 2022

6. Katherine Magbanua found guilty of all charges in murder of Dan Markel May 30, 2022

7. Suspects in Markel murder case to be tried together June 20, 2018

8. Sigfredo Garcia found guilty, mistrial declared for Katherine Magbanua in Dan Markel's murder

9. Charlie Adelson arrested on murder charges in connection to Dan Markel murder  April 21, 2022

10. Sigfredo Garcia gets life in prison for murder of Dan Markel Sept. 20, 2019

11. Dan Markel case: Family says justice 'partially served' with murder verdict and mistrial Oct 11, 2019

12. Florida dentist guilty of hiring hitman to kill brother-in-law Daniel Markel after custody fight with relative Nov 6, 2023

13. Charlie Adelson sentenced to life in murder for hire plot | CNN Dec 12, 2023

14. Katherine Magbanua, previously convicted, testifies on Day 3 of Charlie Adelson trial Oct. 30, 2023

15. Sigfredo Garcia Probable Cause Affidavit

16. Charlie Adelson Appeal

17. Markel, Adelson sparred up to the end 

18. 'Chilling' conversation takes center stage as Wendi's ex testifies in Donna Adelson murder trial (Jeff, June, testimonies)

19. Dysfunctional family reunion: Kids against mom in Donna Adelson trial | Analysis (Rob and Wendi's testimonies)

20. Donna Adelson arrested in Dan Markel murder after booking one-way plane tickets to Vietnam

21. Friends recall Dan Markel

22. https://www.justicefordan.com/post/remembering-danny-on-his-50th-birthday

23. 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

24. Wendi Adelson says Donna Adelson 'micromanaged my life' | Court TV

25. Charlie Adelson trashes 'inbred' jurors in jail calls to his mom | Court TV

26. FL v. Adelson: Dentist Mastermind Murder Trial | Court TV

27. https://www.stevenbepstein.com/wendi-adelson-interview

28. https://edca.1dca.org/DcaDocs/2019/4005/2019-4005_Brief_1043927_RC12202D20Transcript20Received.pdf

29. How Police Tracked Down and Caught 2 Suspected Hit Men in FSU Professor Murder Case 

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