Over a decade after Florida State law professor Dan Markel was brutally murdered outside his Tallahassee home, attention continues to swirl around his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, and her family. The high-profile case, marked by conspiracy, family tensions, and court drama, still leaves one haunting question: Was Wendi Adelson involved in the plot to kill Dan Markel?
Wendi and Dan, who married in 2006, shared two sons, Benjamin and Lincoln Markel. Following their contentious divorce in 2013, Wendi was court-ordered to remain in Tallahassee despite her desire to relocate with the children to South Florida, closer to her family. Just months after these legal battles, Dan was murdered in his garage on July 18, 2014.
Who Was Dan Markel?
Dan Markel was a respected Canadian-born law professor with an impressive academic background—Harvard and Cambridge among them. He was known for his writings in legal journals and popular outlets like The New York Times and The Atlantic. Dan’s life centered around his children, Benjamin and Lincoln Markel, and his academic pursuits.
On the morning of his murder, Dan had just returned from dropping the kids off at preschool and was speaking on the phone in his garage when he was shot at point-blank range. He died in the hospital the following day at age 41.
The Motive: Custody and Relocation
At the center of the alleged motive was the ongoing custody battle between Wendi Adelson and Dan Markel. Wendi’s parents, especially her mother Donna Adelson, allegedly pushed hard for Wendi to relocate with Benjamin and Lincoln Markel to Miami. Prosecutors believe this desire to move—and the legal restrictions preventing it—may have led to the murder-for-hire plot.
Court documents revealed Wendi’s brother, Charlie Adelson, allegedly spearheaded the operation, connecting with Katherine Magbanua, who in turn brought in Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera to carry out the murder.
Wendi Adelson’s Role and Public Defense
While Charlie, Magbanua, Garcia, and even Wendi’s mother Donna have been criminally charged or convicted, Wendi Adelson has never been formally charged. However, prosecutors have referred to her as a possible conspirator. Her own former boyfriend testified that she once told him her brother had “looked into” hiring a hitman, though she has denied any knowledge or involvement in the crime.
Wendi testified in court and on podcasts, often expressing frustration over being vilified by the media and asserting her innocence. “The state isn’t going to decide to arrest me,” she once told jurors.
Where Are Wendi Adelson and Her Children Now?
As of 2025, Wendi Adelson is living in South Florida with her two sons, Benjamin and Lincoln Markel. After Dan’s death, she changed their last names to Adelson, a move she claimed was to shield them from media scrutiny.
She has since left her position at Florida State University and has worked with various legal and nonprofit organizations. Despite the lingering controversy, the Florida Bar lists her as a member in good standing, and she is currently associated with the St. Michael’s Legal Center for Women and Children in Miami Beach.
The Legacy of Dan Markel — and Lincoln Markel’s Future
The tragic murder of Dan Markel not only shook the legal community but also sparked legislative changes in Florida. The “Markel Act” was passed to support grandparent visitation rights, as Dan’s parents, Phil and Ruth Markel, were denied contact with Benjamin and Lincoln Markel after their son’s death.
Now teens, Benjamin and Lincoln Markel are growing up under a cloud of national attention. The question of what they know and how they are processing the complex legacy of their father’s death and their family’s role remains a private matter—but one that underscores the long-lasting ripple effects of violent crime.
Final Thoughts
The murder of Dan Markel continues to raise pressing questions about justice, family dynamics, and legal accountability. While convictions have brought some closure, the public remains deeply interested in Wendi Adelson’s role—and the future of Benjamin and Lincoln Markel. As the legal system moves forward with upcoming trials, the story is far from over.
