# Donna Adelson: The Matriarch, The Motive, and The Fall of a Family Empire | 2025 Year in Review Special

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-trial-of-donna-adelson-the-murder-of-dan-markel-6742533/donna-adelson-the-matriarch-the-motive-and-the-fall-of-a-family-empire-2025-year-in-review-special
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-trial-of-donna-adelson-the-murder-of-dan-markel-6742533/donna-adelson-the-matriarch-the-motive-and-the-fall-of-a-family-empire-2025-year-in-review-special.md
Podcast: [The Trial Of Donna Adelson | The Murder Of Dan Markel](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-trial-of-donna-adelson-the-murder-of-dan-markel-6742533)
Published: 2025-11-30T14:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://audioboom.com/posts/8808037
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8808037.mp3?modified=1763518724&sid=5116516&source=rss
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Duration seconds: 3701

## Resource

As part of our Hidden Killers 2025 Year in Review series, this full-length special brings together all four parts of our deep investigation into the case of Donna Adelson — the grandmother, mother, and alleged mastermind at the center of one of Florida’s most shocking murder-for-hire conspiracies. This is the complete, unbroken story — from the private family dynamics that prosecutors say sparked a deadly plot, to the public trial that could end with Donna spending the rest of her life behind bars. We begin inside the Adelson family , where Donna’s influence allegedly shaped everything — including her children’s decisions and the years-long feud with Florida State law professor Dan Markel . The state claims Donna’s control and obsession with family “image” turned toxic, driving the financial schemes, the $1 million relocation bribe offer, and the custody-fueled resentment that ultimately led to murder. Next, we break down Donna’s public and private narrative control — from the coded language in her jail calls to her tone-shifting conversations designed to manipulate both family and public perception. Even behind bars, her words carry weight, painting herself as a misunderstood matriarch while sidestepping accountability. Then comes her biggest gamble yet — the possibility of testifying in her own defense. Alongside Defense Attorney Eric Faddis , we explore the psychology, confidence, and potential ego behind that decision. Could Donna’s instinct for control be the very thing that exposes her to devastating cross-examination? We also examine how prosecutors plan to connect the dots — from the financial transactions to Katherine Magbanua , to Luis Rivera’s testimony about “the lady” ordering the hit, to the one-way ticket to Vietnam that speaks louder than words. Finally…

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## Transcript

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