Background and Early Life
Wendi Jill Adelson was born in 1979 and reared in South Florida. She is the daughter of wealthy and dental-connected Harvey and Donna Sue Adelson. Wendi became a clinical law professor and child advocate.
Education
| Degree | Institution | Year Completed |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. | Brandeis University | 2001 |
| J.D. | University of Miami School of Law | 2006 |
| Additional Study | Yale Law School (visiting student) | N/A |
Wendi authored a novel and became a clinical professor of human rights and child advocacy at Florida State University (FSU) in her early 30s.
Marriage to Dan Markel
Dan Markel married Wendi in February 2006. Harvard-educated law professor Markel joined FSU College of Law in 2005.
Timeline of Marriage and Divorce
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Marriage | February 2006 |
| Birth of First Son (Benjamin) | 2009 |
| Birth of Second Son (Lincoln) | 2010 |
| Separation | September 2012 |
| Divorce Finalized | 2013 |
The marriage declined in 2012. Divorce and custody battle documents show severe arguments, including Wendi’s desire to move their children to South Florida to be closer to her relatives.
Custody Disputes and Legal Fallout
Dan and Wendi fought for Benjamin and Lincoln’s custody after divorce.
Key Legal Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Divorce Finalized | 2013 |
| Motion to Relocate Denied | 2013 |
| Dan Markel Murdered | July 18, 2014 |
| Children’s Names Changed to “Adelson” | Late 2014 |
| “Markel Act” Passed | 2022 |
Markel stopped Wendi from moving the kids. The Adelsons and Markels were greatly affected by the judgement.
Career Overview
Wendi Adelson practiced immigration and child advocate law.
Employment History
| Role | Organization | Location | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Professor | FSU College of Law | Tallahassee, FL | 2007–2015 |
| Executive Director | Human Rights & Immigration Law Project | Tallahassee, FL | 2009–2015 |
| Writer | Published one novel, This Is Our Story | 2015 |
Her fictional novel was a factor in later court actions. It depicts Markel-related real-life tensions and reasons, according to prosecutors.
Life After Dan Markel’s Death
Wendi Adelson has not been charged in Dan Markel’s murder-for-hire. However, her legal battle, proximity to key suspects, and testimony have put her in the public eye.
Life Post-2014
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Children’s Last Names Changed | From Markel to Adelson after the murder |
| Public Testimony | Participated in Charlie Adelson’s trial as a witness |
| Current Residence | South Florida |
| Legal Status | Not charged |
South Florida is where she lives with her children. Her parents have financially supported her and the children since the murder.
Financial Connection
Wendi is from a wealthy family, but her income is unknown. Court filings showed the Adelson family had over $8.1 million in accounts by mid-2014.
Family Wealth Snapshot (2014)
| Asset Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Investment Accounts | $5.8 million |
| Checking/Savings | $2.3 million |
| Cash Assets | Unknown, included “piles of cash” |
| Dental Practice Revenue | Approx. $2 million/year |
Wendi had family help and accommodation but did not work in the family dentistry business.
Involvement in the Murder Investigation
Wendi has never been arrested, but law enforcement constantly monitored her owing of the timing and her relationship with important suspects.
Notable Connections
| Person | Relationship to Wendi | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Adelson | Brother | Convicted of murder, life sentence (2023) |
| Donna Sue Adelson | Mother | Charged with murder, trial pending (August 2025) |
| Katherine Magbanua | Charlie’s ex-girlfriend | Convicted co-conspirator |
| Sigfredo Garcia & Luis Rivera | Hitmen | Both convicted |
In 2023 and 2024, Wendi testified at various hearings over her prior acts and utterances, including a controversial 2015 interview.
Madam Donna Sue Adelson: Murder Suspect
Wendi and Charlie Adelson’s mother is 1950-born Donna Sue Adelson. She is a key suspect in Dan Markel’s murder.
Timeline of Legal Involvement
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Arrest | November 13, 2023 |
| Charges Filed | November 14, 2023 |
| First Scheduled Trial Date | September 17, 2024 |
| Rescheduled Trial | June 3, 2025 |
| Latest Trial Date | August 19, 2025 |
She was apprehended at Miami International Airport while trying to fly to Vietnam, which has no extradition treaty with the U.S.
Charges
- First-degree murder
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Solicitation of murder
Financial Role
Donna, the family’s dental clinic bookkeeper, may have directed or funded the murder plot. She allegedly provided Charlie cash and Magbanua salary checks after the murder.
Current Status
- In custody without bond
- Protective jail custody after an altercation
- Pretrial motions include excluding Wendi’s book from evidence.
FAQ
What is Wendi Adelson’s relationship to Dan Markel?
He divorced her in 2013 after seven years.
Is Wendi Adelson charged in the murder case?
No charges have been filed against her.
Where does Wendi Adelson live now?
She and her two sons live in South Florida.
Who are Wendi Adelson’s children?
Markel-era Benjamin and Lincoln Adelson (b. 2009, 2010).
What happened to Wendi’s brother, Charlie Adelson?
He received a life sentence for murdering Dan Markel in November 2023.
What is the “Markel Act”?
A 2022 Florida statute honouring Dan Markel extends grandparent visiting privileges.
What role did Donna Adelson play in the case?
The murder-for-hire plotter awaits trial in August 2025.
Is Wendi Adelson still working in law?
She worked in legal academics but does not disclose her current employment.
Why did the children’s last names change?
Following Dan’s death, Wendi changed their surnames from Markel to Adelson for safety.
What was in Wendi Adelson’s book?
A fictional novel that prosecutors argue mirrors real-life events, potentially implicating family dynamics relevant to the murder case.
