Ex-Wife Called Professor 'STD' Before Murder
The murder of Dan Markel, a respected Florida State University law professor, sent shockwaves through the academic community and beyond. But behind the headlines of a brutal execution-style killing lies a tangled web of family drama, acrimony, and allegations of a murder-for-hire plot. At the heart of this saga is Wendi Adelson, Markel's ex-wife, whose recent courtroom testimony peeled back layers of emotional turmoil and family conflict that culminated in tragedy.
A Marriage Marked by Contempt and Conflict
Wendi Adelson did not mince words when describing her feelings toward Dan Markel during their bitter divorce and custody battle. On the stand in August 2025, she admitted to having called her ex-husband hurtful names, including "emotional terrorist," "dark lord," and even "STD," as reported by PEOPLE. These harsh labels reveal the depth of frustration and resentment that had built up over years of legal wrangling and personal strife.
Yet, despite this emotional toxicity, Wendi was adamant that her contempt never crossed into complicity. She denied any involvement in the murder-for-hire plot that ended Markel's life in 2014. Instead, she pointed the finger squarely at her mother, Donna Adelson, who stands accused of orchestrating and funding the hit amid a violent family feud.
The Fatal Fallout of a Custody Battle
The motive behind Markel's murder is rooted in the acrimonious custody dispute that followed his divorce from Wendi. After their separation in 2012 and finalization of the divorce in 2013, the couple was locked in a contentious battle over their two young sons. Wendi wanted to relocate with the children to Miami, where her family, including Donna Adelson, resided. Markel opposed the move, and a judge ultimately denied Wendi's request, granting joint custody with the stipulation that the children remain in Tallahassee.
This legal stalemate intensified tensions within the family. Court documents reveal that Markel filed motions to enforce the custody agreement and to prevent Donna Adelson from having unsupervised access to the children, citing disparaging remarks she allegedly made about him. The family feud escalated to a point where, prosecutors allege, Donna Adelson resorted to a deadly solution.
The Murder and the Investigation
On July 18, 2014, Dan Markel was shot twice in the head at close range in his Tallahassee garage. The attack was swift and calculated, with surveillance footage showing a Toyota Prius following Markel throughout the morning before the fatal shooting. The professor was rushed to a hospital but died the following day.
Investigators quickly determined that Markel did not know his killers, Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera, who were linked to the crime through cellphone records, GPS data, and witness testimony. The evidence pointed to a murder-for-hire scheme, with Garcia identified as the shooter and Rivera as an accomplice. Both men had connections to Katherine Magbanua, who prosecutors say acted as the intermediary between the hired killers and the Adelson family.
The Family at the Center of the Storm
The investigation revealed a disturbing family dynamic. Donna Adelson, Wendi's mother, was accused of masterminding the plot, allegedly funding the contract killing to enable Wendi to move to Miami with the children. Wendi's brother, Charlie Adelson, was also implicated and later convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation related to the case.
Wendi herself was named by prosecutors as a conspirator, according to WTXL Tallahassee, though she has consistently denied any involvement. Her testimony in 2025 underscored the emotional complexity of the situation — while she harbored deep resentment toward Markel, she maintained that she did not participate in or condone the murder plot.
A Trial Unfolding
Donna Adelson's trial began in August 2025, following delays related to legal representation conflicts and scheduling. The courtroom drama continues to captivate public attention as the prosecution lays out its case against the matriarch accused of orchestrating the murder. Meanwhile, the convictions of the other involved parties have already sent a clear message about the consequences of this deadly family feud.
The Human Side of a Tragedy
Beyond the legal battles and sensational headlines, the story of Dan Markel's murder is a sobering reminder of how personal conflicts can spiral into devastating violence. Wendi Adelson's candid admission of her emotional struggles with Markel offers a glimpse into the fraught nature of their relationship, while her denial of involvement in the crime highlights the painful distinction between personal animosity and criminal action.
As the courtroom drama continues, the public remains riveted by the intersection of love, hate, and justice in this chilling case.
References: Professor's Wife Called Him an 'STD' Before His Execution-Style Killing - but Denies She Was Involved in Plot | DAN MARKEL MURDER TRIAL: How we got here
