Donna Adelson: From Privilege To Prison

By SyndicatedNews Lawyer and Social Worker | SNN.BZ

Chronology of the Dan Markel Murder Case Involving Donna Adelson

Below is a detailed chronology of events in the case, compiled from key developments starting from the marriage of Dan Markel and Wendi Adelson, through the divorce and custody disputes, the murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Donna Adelson and her family, the investigations and trials, and up to Donna’s current incarceration as depicted in the provided video (which focuses on her rapid aging in prison as of January 2026).

Events are organized by year and month where specific dates are available, emphasizing Donna Adelson’s role as the family matriarch who allegedly drove the plot to eliminate her son-in-law, Dan Markel, to resolve custody issues. The timeline culminates in her life sentence and the harsh prison conditions accelerating her aging.

Donna Adelson Arrested Trying to Board One Way Flight To Vietnam

Following Charlie Adelson’s conviction for the murder of Dan Markel—her daughter’s husband and a Florida State University professor—she tried to escape U.S. jurisdiction by boarding a one-way flight to Vietnam. She was arrested at the Miami International Airport.

2006

February: Dan Markel, a Florida State University law professor, marries Wendi Adelson, daughter of Donna and Harvey Adelson, a wealthy family from Miami involved in dentistry. This marks the beginning of the family ties that later turn contentious.

2009–2010

Dan and Wendi have two sons (born in 2009 and 2010), escalating future custody battles as Donna Adelson becomes deeply invested in her grandchildren’s lives and location.

2012

September: Wendi files for divorce from Dan. She abruptly moves out with the children and furniture while Dan is out of town, leaving divorce papers. This initiates bitter disputes over custody and relocation, with Donna advising Wendi on strategies.

2013

May: Donna emails Wendi emphasizing that “the most important part of your divorce is relocation,” pushing for the children to move to South Florida near the Adelson family.
June: Wendi’s request to relocate the children is denied by Judge Hobbs. Donna emails about a “plan of action” and a $1 million offer to Dan to allow relocation, which he rejects.
July: Divorce is finalized, but tensions persist. Donna continues orchestrating family efforts to pressure Dan.
Summer: According to Wendi’s ex-boyfriend Jeffrey Lacasse, she mentions that her brother Charlie Adelson looked into hiring a hitman to “make Dan disappear.”

2014

February: Dan files motions alleging Wendi misled him financially during the divorce, seeking enforcement. Donna texts Charlie about “aggravating” Dan.
March: Donna coordinates secretive communications with Charlie. Wendi dines with Katherine Magbanua (Charlie’s ex-girlfriend and later key conspirator).
May: Hearing set for Dan’s motion to limit Donna’s unsupervised visits with the children after she bad-mouths him to them.
June: First failed murder attempt by hitmen Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera (connected to Magbanua). Charlie texts Donna about “working on dad’s birthday present” (alleged code for the plot).
July: Donna sets a TV repair for Wendi (later linked to a “joke” about buying a TV instead of a hitman). Wendi inquires about Dan’s whereabouts. On July 18, Dan is shot in his Tallahassee driveway by Garcia and Rivera in a rented Prius; he dies the next day. Donna contacts Wendi shortly before the shooting. That night, Donna and Harvey deliver cash to Charlie, who passes it to Magbanua. Wendi drives an unusual route near the crime scene en route to lunch and buys Bulleit bourbon (linked to a “bullet” joke in family communications). Donna and Harvey flee to Orlando. Magbanua deposits large cash sums post-murder.

2015

July: Donna and Harvey celebrate Harvey’s 71st birthday. Wendi legally changes the children’s last name to Adelson, further alienating Dan’s family.
Police release details on the silver Prius used in the murder.

2016

January: Magbanua receives a Lexus formerly owned by Harvey Adelson.
April: FBI “bump” operation: Undercover agent approaches Donna demanding blackmail money related to the murder. Donna, Charlie, and Magbanua discuss it in a recorded Dolce Vita restaurant meeting, using code words like “TV” for the hit.
May: Garcia arrested for murder.
June: Garcia and Rivera indicted. Probable cause affidavit links motive to Adelsons’ relocation desires.
September: Insufficient evidence to charge Charlie or Magbanua at this point.
October: Rivera pleads guilty to second-degree murder, implicating the plot.
November: Magbanua indicted.

2019

October: Garcia convicted of murder and conspiracy, sentenced to life. Magbanua’s trial ends in mistrial.

2022

April: Charlie Adelson arrested for murder.
May: Magbanua convicted in retrial of murder, conspiracy, and solicitation.

2023

November: Charlie convicted of murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Donna arrested at Miami International Airport while attempting to flee to Vietnam on a one-way ticket.

2025

March: While in pre-trial custody, Donna reports assaults in jail (e.g., in the shower and while brushing teeth), leading to extortion attempts.
August: Donna’s trial begins in Tallahassee. Her son Robert testifies about her avoidance of discussing prior arrests.
September: Donna convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation. Motions for new trial denied.
October 13: Sentenced by Judge Stephen Everett to life without parole plus 30 years for conspiracy and solicitation.
October 14: Transferred to Florida Department of Corrections custody at Florida Women’s Reception Center in Ocala.
November: Appeals filed, with low success odds.
December: Moved to Homestead Correctional Institution near Miami, where she remains.

2026

January: As detailed in the video, Donna (now 75) is experiencing rapid aging at Homestead due to harsh conditions: extreme heat (up to 118°F) with no air conditioning in most units, moldy ceilings, poor ventilation, heavy canvas clothing, pest infestations from open windows, and suffocating closed cells. Incarceration accelerates aging by 10–15 years, making her physiologically equivalent to 85–90 years old. Factors include poor nutrition, chronic stress, inadequate medical care (understaffed, dismissive, costly with long waits), and risks like hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and cognitive decline. Prisons classify inmates as “elderly” at 50. She faces potential encounters with co-inmate Magbanua, daily monotony, loss of autonomy, supervised family visits, concerns over husband Harvey’s health, and no hope of release, all contributing to her deterioration.

Donna-Adelson-indictment Download

donna-adelson-new-trial Download

The murder of Dan Markel, a Florida State University law professor, in July 2014 was a murder-for-hire plot primarily motivated by a bitter child custody dispute following his divorce from Wendi Adelson.

According to court records, trial outcomes, and prosecutorial accounts, five individuals have been convicted in connection with the conspiracy and killing as of early 2026:

Charlie Adelson (Wendi Adelson’s brother, Markel’s former brother-in-law): Convicted in November 2023 of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. He orchestrated and financed the plot, paying for the hitmen. Sentenced to life in prison plus additional years for the other charges.
Donna Adelson (Wendi Adelson’s mother, Markel’s former mother-in-law): Convicted in September 2025 of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. She helped plan and fund the scheme (including signing checks that funneled money to intermediaries). Sentenced to life in prison plus additional consecutive years.
Katherine Magbanua (Charlie Adelson’s former girlfriend): Convicted in a 2022 retrial (after a 2019 mistrial) of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. She served as the intermediary/go-between, connecting the Adelsons to the hired killers. Sentenced to life plus additional years.
Sigfredo Garcia (father of Magbanua’s children, one of the hitmen): Convicted in 2019 of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He was one of the shooters/triggermen. Sentenced to life without parole for murder plus 30 years for conspiracy.
Luis Rivera (Garcia’s accomplice, the other hitman/driver): Pleaded guilty in 2016 to second-degree murder (as part of a cooperation deal). He testified against the others, admitting his role in the plot and driving to the scene. Sentenced to 19 years in prison (and has been or is nearing release from federal prison time related to other matters).

Prosecutors described the conspiracy as involving the Adelson family members (primarily Charlie and Donna) hiring Magbanua to recruit Garcia and Rivera to carry out the shooting in Tallahassee. The plot stemmed from family resentment over custody and relocation issues.

No one else has been convicted or charged in the conspiracy to date. Wendi Adelson (Markel’s ex-wife) has not been charged and has denied involvement; she testified in some proceedings with limited immunity, and prosecutors have not publicly indicated charges against her. Harvey Adelson (Donna’s husband, Charlie’s father) has not been charged, though some speculation exists in public discussions about his potential knowledge due to family business involvement in payments.