When Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel was shot in his Tallahassee garage on July 18, 2014, few could have predicted the decade-long investigation that would expose a wealthy family’s sinister conspiracy. Dateline NBC’s latest episode, “Deadly Mischief,” aired October 24, 2025, revealing shocking details about this murder-for-hire plot.
Dateline Season 34 Quick Facts: The Dan Markel Case
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Daniel Markel, FSU Law Professor |
| Date of Murder | July 18, 2014 |
| Episode Title | “Deadly Mischief” |
| Air Date | October 24, 2025, 9 PM ET |
| Reporter | Dennis Murphy |
| Convictions | 5 people sentenced |
What Happened to Dan Markel?
Daniel Markel returned home from morning errands when a gunman ambushed him in his garage, shooting him twice in the head. He died the next day at the hospital. The tragedy stemmed from a bitter custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, following their 2013 separation.
The Investigation Breakthrough
Investigators traced a light-colored Toyota Prius fleeing the scene using toll and camera records, building detailed phone timelines. Bus surveillance cameras proved crucial, capturing multiple angles of the vehicle near Markel’s home around the time of the shooting.
The Adelson Family Connection
The case revealed a shocking family conspiracy. Katherine Magbanua, who dated Wendi’s brother Charlie Adelson and was linked to the Adelson family’s dental practice, was convicted at a 2022 retrial and received life imprisonment.
Who Was Convicted?
- Sigfredo Garcia – Hired gunman
- Luis Rivera – Accomplice who confessed
- Katherine Magbanua – Middleman (2022)
- Charlie Adelson – Convicted in 2023 after roughly three hours of jury deliberation for first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation
- Donna Adelson – Found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in 2025 and sentenced to life
The Custody Battle That Turned Deadly
The motive centered on custody. Both Wendi and Daniel were granted 50-50 custody following their divorce, preventing Wendi from relocating to Miami where her family lived. Prosecutors argued this custody arrangement motivated the murder conspiracy.
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Defense Arguments and Trial Outcomes
Charlie Adelson testified in 2023 that he was the target of an extortion scheme after the killing. Donna Adelson’s defense team argued she was a meddling parent, not a planner. However, juries weighed the evidence and returned guilty verdicts for all defendants.
Evidence That Sealed the Convictions
- Surveillance footage tracking the Prius
- Cell phone and toll records mapping travel patterns
- Witness statements that changed over time
- Financial transactions linking the conspirators
Where to Watch
“Deadly Mischief” aired on NBC on October 24, 2025, at 9 PM ET. The episode is available for streaming on Peacock alongside other Dateline episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Wendi Adelson charged in Dan Markel’s murder?
No, Wendi Adelson has denied involvement and has not been charged. However, prosecutors have named her and her father as unindicted co-conspirators in court filings, reflecting evidence developed during the investigation.
Q: How long did the Dan Markel investigation take?
The investigation spanned over a decade, from the 2014 murder to the final conviction of Donna Adelson in 2025. The first arrest occurred in May 2016, with subsequent trials leading to convictions through 2025.
