The $30 Million Curse: 5 Shocking Facts About The Murder Of Lottery Winner Abraham Shakespeare

The story of Abraham Shakespeare is one of the most cautionary and tragic tales in modern financial history, a stark reminder that sudden, immense wealth can become a deadly curse. As of December 2025, the case continues to draw public interest, largely due to the ongoing legal maneuvers of his killer, Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore, who remains convicted of first-degree murder. Shakespeare's journey from a humble, illiterate laborer to a $30 million lottery winner and, tragically, a murder victim, serves as a grim example of how fast money can attract the wrong kind of attention.

The details of his disappearance and the subsequent investigation—which spanned from late 2009 into 2010—revealed a shocking betrayal by the one person he thought was helping him manage his newfound fortune. The latest updates in the case are focused on Dee Dee Moore's persistent attempts to overturn her life sentence, keeping the memory of the ill-fated lottery winner in the public eye.

The Tragic Biography of Abraham Lee Shakespeare

Abraham Lee Shakespeare’s life was defined by struggle, a brief moment of overwhelming fortune, and a fatal betrayal. His profile paints a picture of a man unprepared for the scrutiny and predatory nature that came with winning a massive lottery jackpot.

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• Full Name: Abraham Lee Shakespeare
• Date of Birth: April 24, 1966
• Date of Death: c. April 7, 2009 (Disappeared in 2009, body found in 2010)
• Age at Death: 42
• Hometown: Lakeland, Florida, USA
• Occupation: Casual Laborer, Truck Driver’s Assistant, Part-Time Garbage Worker (Pre-Lottery)
• The Win: Won a $30 million Florida Lottery jackpot in November 2006.
• Payout: Chose the lump-sum cash option, receiving approximately $17 million.
• Family: He was survived by his mother, Elizabeth Walker, and his two young sons, Moses Shakespeare and Jeremiyah Butler. Moses' mother, Antionette Andrews, became an advocate for his estate following his death.
• Key Challenge: Shakespeare was described as being illiterate, which made him highly vulnerable to financial exploitation.

From Rags to Riches to Ruin: The Lottery Curse Takes Hold

Shakespeare's $30 million win in 2006 should have been a dream come true, but it quickly became an isolating nightmare. He had purchased the winning ticket at a convenience store in Frostproof, Florida, and chose the $17 million lump-sum payout, a decision that instantly made him a target.

The first few years after the win saw Shakespeare become famous for his excessive generosity. He was known for buying houses, cars, and gifts for friends, family, and even complete strangers who approached him asking for money.

His generosity, however, led to an endless stream of requests and financial pressure. People constantly demanded cash, and he was often quoted as saying he wished he had never won the money. He loaned out millions of dollars, often with informal IOUs that were rarely repaid. He was desperate for help managing his money and his life, which is how he met Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore.

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Dorice Donegan "Dee Dee" Moore, a woman from Hillsborough County, entered Shakespeare's life in 2008, claiming she wanted to write a book about his life. Moore quickly gained control of his remaining assets, which included a $1.5 million home, a Corvette, and the last of his cash.

By early 2009, Shakespeare had transferred the bulk of his remaining wealth to Moore. The financial transactions, which police later described as a one-sided transfer of wealth, provided the clear motive for his eventual murder.

The Disappearance, Investigation, and Conviction of Dee Dee Moore

Abraham Shakespeare was last seen by his family in April 2009. His family reported him missing in November 2009, but Moore worked hard to cover up his disappearance. She repeatedly told family and friends that Shakespeare had simply "had enough" of the pressure and had run off to the Caribbean or was tired of being harassed for money.

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The Elaborate Cover-Up

Moore’s attempts to mislead investigators were elaborate. She used Shakespeare’s cell phone to send text messages to his family, pretending to be him. She even paid a relative to pretend to be Shakespeare and call his mother, Elizabeth Walker, on Thanksgiving. However, the sheer volume of his assets that she had acquired—including the transfer of his house to an LLC she controlled—made her the primary suspect.

The investigation led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office eventually zeroed in on Moore. A key piece of evidence came from an informant who recorded Moore trying to bribe him into digging up a body and moving it to frame another individual. This recording was crucial in the case against her.

Discovery and Conviction

On January 25, 2010, Shakespeare’s body was discovered buried under a concrete slab behind a shed at a home in Plant City, Florida, a property that Moore had recently purchased. He had been shot multiple times.

In December 2012, after a highly publicized trial, a jury found Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Abraham Shakespeare. She was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Latest Updates on Dee Dee Moore's Fight for Freedom (2025)

The case of Abraham Shakespeare is not closed. The "current" and "fresh" angle of this story is the persistent legal battle being waged by his killer from behind bars. As of late 2025, Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore is still serving her life sentence, but she has filed multiple appeals and motions seeking a new trial.

Moore has consistently claimed her innocence, even after her conviction was upheld twice by an appeals court. Her legal efforts often point the finger at other individuals, trying to introduce new evidence or claim mishandling of the case. These attempts, however, have not been successful in overturning the jury's original verdict.

In a surprising twist that received recent news coverage, Moore has also publicly advocated for a Florida bill that would allow lottery winners to remain anonymous. Serving a life sentence for murdering a lottery winner, Moore argued that publicly identifying recipients of big payouts puts their lives at risk, a statement that many found deeply ironic given her own crime.

The continued media attention, including recent features on true crime shows and news broadcasts referencing 2025 updates, ensures that the tragedy of Abraham Shakespeare remains a prominent part of the national conversation about the so-called "lottery curse."

The Long-Term Legacy of Abraham Shakespeare's Fortune

The legacy of Abraham Shakespeare is a cautionary tale taught in financial literacy courses and featured in true-crime documentaries. His story highlights the dangers of sudden wealth for vulnerable individuals, especially those who lack financial education or a strong support system.

The entities and people involved in this tragic saga—including the Florida Lottery itself, the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Antionette Andrews, and the convicted killer Dorice Donegan Moore—all play a role in his enduring story. For his family, particularly his sons, Moses and Jeremiyah, the fight for his remaining estate and the struggle to move past the trauma continues, long after the sensational trial has ended. Shakespeare's life serves as a stark warning to all lottery winners: the greatest danger to your fortune may not be bad investments, but the people who seek to exploit your trust.