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The Adelson Saga: 7 Shocking Revelations About Donna Sue Adelson's Conviction And Life Sentence

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The Dan Markel murder-for-hire case reached its definitive conclusion in late 2025, cementing the fate of the Adelson family matriarch, Donna Sue Adelson. The 76-year-old was found guilty of masterminding the 2014 assassination of her former son-in-law, Florida State University (FSU) Law Professor Daniel "Dan" Markel. The conviction and subsequent life sentence on Monday, October 13, 2025, brought an end to a decade-long saga that captivated the nation, exposing the dark side of a wealthy and prominent South Florida family. This article provides the most current and comprehensive look at Donna Adelson’s life, her central role in the tragic plot, and the chilling finality of her legal battle. We delve into the crucial events leading up to her conviction, the key players involved, and the devastating impact on the surviving Markel family.

Donna Sue Adelson: A Detailed Biography and Profile

Donna Sue Adelson was the central figure and matriarch of a wealthy, influential family from Coral Gables, Florida. Her life, once defined by affluence and community standing, became irrevocably linked to one of the most sensational murder cases in modern legal history.

  • Full Name: Donna Sue Adelson (née Glickman)
  • Age: 76 (as of late 2025)
  • Spouse: Dr. Harvey Adelson (Retired Dentist)
  • Children: Charlie Adelson and Wendi Adelson
  • Former Occupation: Co-manager of the family's extensive dental practice and associated businesses.
  • Residence: Miami/Coral Gables, Florida (prior to arrest)
  • Legal Status: Convicted of First-Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Solicitation to Commit Murder. Currently serving a life sentence.
  • Key Role in Case: Identified by prosecutors as the primary orchestrator and financier of the murder-for-hire plot targeting Dan Markel.

The Adelson-Markel Feud: The Root of the Tragedy

The murder of Dan Markel on July 18, 2014, was the culmination of a bitter, acrimonious divorce and custody battle with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson. The breakdown of the marriage, particularly the dispute over the custody of their two young sons, created a deep chasm between the Adelson and Markel families.

The Custody Conflict: Dan Markel and Wendi Adelson divorced in 2013. The subsequent legal struggle over the children’s residency became the core motive for the murder. Wendi Adelson desired to move the children from Tallahassee, where Markel was a professor at FSU Law, to South Florida to be closer to her parents, Donna and Harvey Adelson. Markel successfully blocked this move in court, infuriating the Adelson family.

Donna Adelson's Obsession: Testimony and evidence presented during the trials painted a picture of Donna Adelson’s intense animosity toward Markel. Prosecutors argued that she was obsessed with removing Markel as the obstacle preventing her daughter, Wendi, from moving the grandchildren closer to the family. This obsession allegedly led her to actively seek out a solution, which ultimately became a murder-for-hire plot.

The "Markel Problem": The Adelson family, particularly Donna and her son, Charlie Adelson, allegedly used coded language to discuss the "Markel problem." Key evidence included wiretaps and recorded conversations, which prosecutors used to demonstrate the family’s involvement in planning and financing the execution of the FSU Law Professor.

7 Shocking Revelations from Donna Adelson’s Final Legal Chapter

The conviction and sentencing of Donna Adelson in late 2025 provided definitive closure in the long-running legal saga. Here are the most significant developments and entities involved:

1. The Arrest and Flight Attempt: Donna Adelson was arrested in November 2023, just days after her son, Charlie Adelson, was found guilty of first-degree murder. The arrest occurred as she and her husband, Harvey Adelson, were allegedly attempting to flee the country to Vietnam, which does not have an extradition treaty with the US. This desperate act was presented by the prosecution as strong evidence of her guilt and consciousness of crime.

2. The Evidence of Coded Emails: A crucial piece of evidence in the trials against both Donna and Charlie Adelson were emails and recorded conversations. In one instance, Donna allegedly used a phrase suggesting she had "looked into" a hitman. The jury was convinced that the digital evidence explicitly implicated her in the solicitation of the murder. The use of burner phones and a sophisticated plan to conceal the financial trail were also highlighted.

3. The Conviction and Sentencing: On October 13, 2025, Circuit Judge Stephen Everett sentenced Donna Adelson to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She was found guilty on all three major counts: first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation to commit murder.

4. The Co-Conspirators and The Chain of Command: The prosecution successfully mapped the chain of command, establishing Donna Adelson as the top of the conspiracy pyramid. The money flowed from the Adelson family, through Charlie Adelson, to his then-girlfriend Katherine Magbanua, and finally to the two hitmen, Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera. Magbanua and Garcia have also been convicted and are serving life sentences.

5. The Role of Charlie Adelson: Donna's son, Charlie Adelson, a former periodontist, was convicted earlier in 2023. His conviction was a significant turning point, and the evidence used against him—including audio recordings—was heavily leveraged in his mother’s subsequent trial. The prosecution argued they acted as a team, with Charlie managing the logistics and Donna providing the motive and financial backing.

6. The Markel Family’s Statement: During the sentencing hearing, members of the Markel family delivered powerful victim impact statements. They spoke of the deep, enduring pain and the trauma inflicted on Dan Markel's two sons, who were just children when their father was murdered. The family expressed a sense of relief and justice for the ultimate accountability of all parties involved in the assassination.

7. The Adelson Family Fallout: The conviction of Donna Adelson marks the near-total devastation of the Adelson family unit. With both the matriarch and the son serving life sentences, the once-prominent family's legacy is now defined by the murder of Dan Markel. Harvey Adelson, her husband, and Wendi Adelson, her daughter, have not faced criminal charges, but their lives and reputations have been irrevocably damaged by the scandal and the extensive legal proceedings.

Life Behind Bars: The Finality of the Sentence

Donna Adelson, at 76, will spend the remainder of her life in a Florida correctional facility. Her life sentence for the heinous crime of orchestrating her former son-in-law’s death brings a definitive close to the criminal side of the Adelson saga. The case serves as a chilling example of how a bitter family dispute, fueled by wealth and a desire for control, can escalate to a professional murder-for-hire plot.

The exhaustive investigation and multiple trials over the years have confirmed the Adelson family’s involvement, ensuring that justice was served for Dan Markel. The final chapter of this tragic story is the reality of a wealthy grandmother, once the pillar of her community, now facing the ultimate penalty for her role in a cold-blooded assassination.

donna sue adelson
donna sue adelson

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