Florida Matriarch Donna Adelson, 75, Sentenced to Life for Orchestrating

Donna Adelson’s mugshot. Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Donna Adelson, 75, was sentenced on October 13, 2025, to life in prison without the possibility of parole - plus an additional 30 consecutive years for conspiracy and solicitation - for orchestrating the 2014 murder-for-hire of her former son-in-law, Daniel “Dan” Markel, a Florida State University law professor. The jury convicted her on all counts in September 2025, and Circuit Judge Stephen Everett condemned what he described as her “utter lack of remorse” at sentencing. Adelson maintained her innocence throughout, telling the court she would have stopped the plot had she known about it. The judge was unyielding, stating the evidence was clear and overwhelming.

The Murder

Markel was shot twice in the head at point-blank range in July 2014 outside his Tallahassee home, shortly after dropping off his children at preschool. He died 14 hours later. At the center of the case was a bitter custody dispute between Markel and his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson - Donna’s daughter. Tensions had escalated after a judge denied Wendi’s attempt to relocate with the children from Tallahassee to South Florida. Prosecutors argued the custody battle provided the motive for the killing.

The Conspiracy and Co-Conspirators

The hitmen were members of the Latin Kings gang. Sigfredo Garcia, identified as the triggerman, received a life sentence; Luis Rivera accepted a plea deal and is serving 19 years. Donna’s son, Charles “Charlie” Adelson, was convicted in 2023 on first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation charges and is also serving life. Katherine Magbanua, Charlie’s former girlfriend, was similarly convicted and sentenced to life. Wendi Adelson denied involvement and was not charged. Prosecutors portrayed Donna as the calculating matriarch who wielded the family’s wealth and influence to set the plot in motion.

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