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The FOX True Crime Podcast

A Family Affair: The Murder Of Dan Markel

The FOX True Crime Podcast

Fox News

True Crime

4.7 • 826 Ratings

🗓️ 14 October 2025

⏱️ 31 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 2014, Dan Markel, a law professor at Florida State University, was found shot and killed at his home. The murder in broad daylight concerned and confused the Tallahassee community. Dan's recent divorce and custody battle of his children would become a prime focus of the investigation. Years later, two shocking developments unfolded: the arrests of Dan's brother-in-law, Charlie Adelson, and his mother-in-law, Donna Adelson. FOX News Contributor and Criminal Defense Attorney Joshua Ritter lays out the many twists and turns in the shocking and tragic case, and provides an in-depth look into the trial of Donna Adelson. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: truecrimepodcast@fox.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

The Tallahassee skies were clear and blue on the morning of July 18th, 2014.

0:05.7

But in broad daylight, two gunshots echoed throughout the quiet street of Trescott Drive.

0:11.6

A man who heard the startling noise approached the neighboring residents,

0:16.1

and it was there that he found a running car, broken glass, blood, and the unresponsive body of Dan

0:23.5

Markell. This premeditated crime in an upskill Florida neighborhood sparked concern and

0:29.4

confusion among the community. Dan was a law professor at Florida State University, smart, hardworking,

0:36.7

and well-respected by his colleagues and students.

0:39.7

But the thing Dan cherished most in his life was being a father. His two young sons were the

0:45.4

center of his world. Tragically, they were also the center of a bitter divorce and a contentious

0:51.3

custody battle. But no one could prepare for the dark and sinister turns this fight would take.

0:57.3

I'm Emily Campano, and this is the Fox True Crime podcast.

1:33.3

I'm Emily Campano. Dan Markell married Wendy Adelson in 2006. They seemed like a happy couple to outsiders, but behind closed doors, their marriage was falling apart.

1:40.3

In 2012, Wendy filed for divorce, and their split was finalized the following year.

1:48.6

However, the resentment continued.

1:51.9

Wendy and Dan were granted 50-50 custody of their kids, but Wendy wanted to move almost 400 miles away to South Florida.

2:00.1

A judge refused this move, and Dan refused to relocate from Tallahassee.

2:08.6

The investigation into Dan's murder had many shocking developments, and ultimately, five people

2:14.4

were arrested in connection to the case.

2:17.0

The biggest surprise?

2:18.5

The arrests of Charlie Adelson, Wendy's brother, and Donna Adelson, her mother.

2:28.7

On November 6, 2023, Charlie Adelson was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in the killing of Dan Markell.

2:40.1

Seven days later, Donna Adelson was arrested at the Miami International Airport with a one-way ticket to Vietnam.

...

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