Shivangi Sinha
In July 2014, the news of Dan Markel’s murder reverberated across Florida, creating ripples of shock and capturing the nation’s attention in the years that followed. Markel’s former brother-in-law, Charles “Charlie” Adelson, orchestrated the hit as he enlisted the services of Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera through his ex-girlfriend, Katherine “Katie” Magbanua, to carry out the crime. The four of them were eventually arrested, but the case came to the forefront yet again when Donna Adelson, Markel’s former mother-in-law and Charlie’s mother, was also found to be involved in the matter. NBC’s ‘Dateline: Family Matters’ and ABC’s ‘Welcome to the Family: The Murder of Dan Markel’ help us understand how Donna was involved in the entire scheme.
Donna Adelson Was Once Considered a Pillar of Society
Donna Sue Adelson, born in 1952, spent her early years in New York. Her educational journey led her to Queens College before she embarked on a career as an elementary school teacher. In 1971, she married Harvey Adelson, a fellow New Yorker who had completed his dental degree at Temple University. The couple laid the foundation for their family in Coral Springs, Florida, welcoming their firstborn, Robert Adelson, in 1974, followed by Charles “Charlie” Adelson and Wendi Adelson in 1976 and 1979, respectively. Donna, realizing her desire to focus on her family, decided to transition from teaching to a dedicated full-time homemaker role.
Donna dedicated herself to instilling in her three children a commitment to academic excellence and accomplishment. Alongside managing the responsibilities of a homemaker, she took on part-time work at her husband’s dental practice. Donna’s engagement extended beyond the family domain, as she actively participated in community volunteering and took charge of managing local charities and charitable events. She was also an integral member of the Coral Springs Synagogue, contributing to the community’s well-being. The family thrived, and by the late 1980s, they secured a residence in a cul-de-sac in Coral Springs.
Donna Adelson Was One of the Key Individuals Involved in Dan Markel’s Murder
In 2006, Wendi Adelson tied the knot with Dan Markel and moved to Tallahassee, following which they had two sons in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Unfortunately, things did not pan out for the couple, and they separated in 2012 before finalizing their divorce in 2013. Wendi wanted to relocate with the kids to Miami to be closer to her parents, but her petition was denied by the courts after Dan objected because he wanted to be present with them. Since the former couple shared custody, the court deemed it best for them to remain in Tallahassee. It was at this time that Donna suggested that Wendi should offer $1 million to her ex-husband to let the kids go. In an email, she wrote to her daughter that she should also possible consider threatening Dan with converting his children to Catholicism if he did not agree to the relocation of the children.
On July 18, 2014, Dan was shot in the driveway of his home on Trescott Drive, Tallahassee, and within days, Wendi and the kids had relocated to South Florida. Donna and Harvey also sold their cul-de-sac home in a hurry for a significant loss, following which they took two condos in an affluent, ocean-front apartment building – one for them and one for Wendi as well as the kids. As time passed, officials were able to link Dan’s heinous murder to Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera before nabbing a third co-conspirator, Katherine “Katie” Magbanua, who not only had kids with Garcia but was also Charlie’ ex-girlfriend. The police soon also began tapping Charlie, Donna, and Katie’s phones, resulting in them catching some incriminating statements.
However, it was Luis’ plea deal and testimony that really helped authorities, especially as he identified Sigfredo as the killer and Charlie as the one who hired him for the contract killing through Magbanua. Charlie was arrested in April 2022, and his trial concluded in November 2023 with him being found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional concurrent 30 years. After his arrest, Donna made many phone calls to him, and she once told him she was making arrangements for her grandchildren to be taken care of. It was while Charlie was on trial, on November 13, 2023, that she was arrested at Miami International Airport with a one-way ticket to Vietnam in hand – Vietnam does not have an extradition treaty with the US.
After Being Convicted for Her Offenses in 2025, Donna Adelson is Incarcerated in a Florida Prison
On November 13, 2023, Donna was at Miami International Airport with her husband, preparing to board a flight to Vietnam, when she was approached by authorities who asked for her passport. She was then told that she was being arrested on the charges of first-degree murder, solicitation of murder, and conspiracy to murder Dan Markel. Her first court appearance after arraignment was 8 days later, at the Leon County Court. Her lawyers filed an emergency motion stating that she was receiving inhumane treatment as she was being held in solitary confinement and being denied her blood pressure medicines. The prosecutors alleged that before her arrest, she had told Charlie that she was going to kill herself, so the solitary confinement was for her safety, and the motion was subsequently dismissed by the court.
Neither Donna’s husband, Harvey Adelson, nor her daughter, Wendi Adelson, has ever been charged in connection with Dan’s case, but officials reportedly believe they are “unindicted co-conspirators.” It was in August 2025 that Donna finally stood trial for the charges against her, during which the prosecutors painted a picture of her having a strong hand in Dan’s murder. They argued that both she and Charlie were the masterminds behind the contract killing. Not only did her son Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend, Katherine “Katie” Magbanua, testify against her, but so did her firstborn, Robert Adelson.
Robert, who has long been estranged from the family, testified that his mother hated Dan and that his last conversation with her was also very chilling. In the end, after 3 hours of deliberations, the jury found Donna guilty as charged on September 4, 2025. In early October, she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, plus an additional 30 years for conspiracy and solicitation. So, today, at the age of 76, she is detained at the Homestead Correctional Institution near Florida City and Homestead, Florida, where she is expected to remain for the rest of her natural life.
Read More: Charles “Charlie” Adelson: Where is the Killer Now?
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