The 2014 killing of Florida State University law professor Dan Markel has remained one of the most shocking cases in recent memory. Markel, who was shot outside his Tallahassee home on July 18 of that year, was the former husband of Wendi Adelson and the father of her two children.
Prosecutors say the motive behind the murder-for-hire plot was Wendi’s desire to move the children from Tallahassee to South Florida after the couple’s 2013 divorce — something Markel opposed.
Investigators allege that Wendi’s mother, Donna Adelson, played a central role in putting the plan in motion. Described in court filings as a controlling figure in the family, Adelson was arrested in November 2023 at Miami International Airport and now faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation.
In August 2025, Donna’s son, Charlie Adelson, was found guilty of the same charges. He was sentenced to life in prison, plus an additional 30 years for conspiracy and solicitation.
Through all of this, Donna’s longtime husband, Harvey Adelson, has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Unlike his wife and son, Harvey has not been accused of any crime. He continues to stand by his family as they face the consequences of the case.
Meet Donna Adelson’s Husband, Harvey Adelson and Their Children
Harvey Adelson is a retired Florida dentist whose career and family later became tied to one of the state’s most notorious murder cases. He studied dentistry at the University of Buffalo and Temple University and later founded the Adelson Institute for Aesthetics and Implant Dentistry in Tamarac, Florida.
Donna and Harvey both grew up in New York City. Donna earned her degree from Queens College and worked as an elementary school teacher, while Harvey pursued dentistry.
They married in 1971 and later moved to South Florida. Donna left teaching to focus on their family as Harvey expanded his dental practice. By the late 1980s, his name was well known locally, with large newspaper ads promoting cosmetic and restorative dentistry, free smile evaluations, and procedures touted “as seen on ABC’s Extreme Makeover.”
The couple soon bought a five-bedroom home in Coral Springs, complete with a backyard tennis court for their son Robert. Harvey also supported community causes, including serving as treasurer in a political campaign and backing a new dental school at Nova Southeastern University.
Education was a high priority for the Adelsons, and all three of their children excelled. Robert, the eldest, graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Tulane. He then earned his medical degree with honors at the University of South Florida, specializing in otolaryngology. He now works as a physician in New York
Charlie pursued dentistry like his father, completing degrees at the University of Central Florida and Nova Southeastern University before joining the family’s practice as a periodontist. Wendi graduated magna cum laude from Brandeis University in 2001, studied at Cambridge, and later earned her law degree from the University of Miami in 2006.
The family’s name became entangled in controversy after the 2014 shooting death of Florida State professor Dan Markel, Wendi’s ex-husband. Prosecutors alleged that Donna and Harvey pressured Wendi to persuade Markel to allow her to move their children to South Florida, with Donna even suggesting they offer him $1 million. Investigators said there was not enough evidence to charge Harvey, but Donna was arrested in November 2023.
Where Is Harvey Adelson Now?
Harvey continues to live in Florida and has been seen alongside his family during court proceedings related to the Dan Markel case.
Since Donna’s arrest, Harvey has attended her hearings. Reporters observed him sitting alone on a reserved bench about twenty feet behind his wife.
