Episode 43: A Complicated Web – The Murder of Dan Markel (pt. 2)
In this week’s episode of Super SUS, we’re back with the conclusion of our two-part series on the murder of Dan Markel. In Part One, we shared the story of a brilliant legal scholar, his complicated marriage to fellow attorney Wendi Adelson, and the shocking circumstances surrounding his murder in 2014. Now, in Part Two, we dive into the investigation that exposed a tangled web of betrayal, conspiracy, and family ties stretched to their breaking point.
After Dan was gunned down in his own driveway, the case went cold—at least publicly. For over a year, investigators struggled to find a clear motive or suspects. But behind the scenes, a complex murder-for-hire plot was slowly coming into focus.
The first major break came with surveillance footage of a rented Toyota Prius circling Dan’s neighborhood. That led police to Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera—two childhood friends from Miami with gang affiliations and criminal records. As investigators followed the trail, a broader scheme began to emerge: this wasn’t just a random act of violence. It was a hit.
Tension between Dan and Wendi over their divorce and custody arrangement had long been a point of stress, and her family—particularly her brother Charlie Adelson—had made no secret of their frustration. Phone records, financial transactions, and wiretapped conversations eventually painted a disturbing picture of who might have wanted Dan dead, and why.
In 2016, Rivera took a plea deal and began cooperating. His testimony linked Garcia and a woman named Katherine Magbanua—Charlie Adelson’s ex-girlfriend and the alleged go-between for the hitmen and the Adelson family.
What followed was a slow march through years of trials, testimony, and legal strategy. In 2022, Charlie Adelson was arrested and later convicted. Not long after, Wendi’s mother, Donna Adelson, was arrested at the airport as she allegedly attempted to flee the country. Her trial is still pending.
Meanwhile, questions remain about Wendi’s role—if any—in the plot. Though she has never been charged, much of the public scrutiny continues to swirl around her.
Through it all, Dan’s parents, Ruth and Phil Markel, became fierce advocates for change. They championed a Florida law now known as the “Markel Act,” which gives grandparents more access to their grandchildren in the wake of family tragedy.
This case is a gut-punch on so many levels: a father lost, a family shattered, and a justice system slowly untangling a case that reads more like a Hollywood script than real life.
If you haven’t listened yet, we highly recommend starting with Part One before diving into this episode. And once you do—let us know your thoughts. We’d love to hear your take on how this all unfolded, and whether you think everyone who played a role has truly been held accountable.
