5 Shocking Ways Wendi Adelson's Novel 'This Is Our Story' Became Central To The Dan Markel Murder Case

The narrative surrounding Wendi Adelson and her former husband, Florida State University law professor Dan Markel, remains one of the most compelling and tragic true crime sagas in recent history. The phrase "This Is Our Story," which is the title of a 2013 novel authored by Wendi Adelson, has taken on a chilling double meaning as the years-long murder-for-hire plot involving the Adelson family continues to unfold in the courts, with major updates expected throughout 2025. The original book, a work of fiction about human trafficking, has unexpectedly become a key point of discussion and legal scrutiny in the murder case, shining an uncomfortable spotlight on its author amid the convictions of her brother, Charlie Adelson, and mother, Donna Adelson. The latest developments, including the September 2025 conviction of Donna Adelson and the ongoing legal maneuvers, keep Wendi Adelson at the center of public and prosecutorial attention. Her novel, published just a year before Markel's 2014 assassination, is now being scrutinized for any possible subtext or foreshadowing, forcing a re-examination of Wendi's life, career, and her contentious divorce from Dan Markel.

Wendi Adelson: A Brief Biography and Professional Profile

Wendi Adelson is a former law professor and attorney whose life was irrevocably changed by the murder of her ex-husband, Dan Markel. Her background is rooted in the law and academia, a path she shared with Markel until their bitter divorce.

• Full Name: Wendi Jill Adelson
• Education: Graduated with honors from a prestigious law school, including a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Miami School of Law, where she was a third-year student when she met Dan Markel.
• Career: Former Clinical Professor at Florida State University (FSU) College of Law. She was heavily involved in a Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) program, focusing on public interest and health law.
• Family & Marital Status: Divorced from Dan Markel (m. 2006; div. 2013). They had two young sons together. She is the daughter of Donna Adelson and Harvey Adelson, and the sister of Charlie Adelson.
• Current Status: She has been named by the State of Florida as an unindicted co-conspirator in the murder plot, a claim she denies. She currently resides in the Miami area.
• Notable Publication: This Is Our Story (2013), a novel about human trafficking.

The Novel 'This Is Our Story': Fiction, Foreshadowing, or Focus?

Wendi Adelson’s novel, This Is Our Story, was published in 2013 by Carolina Academic Press, a year before Dan Markel's murder. The book is a work of fiction focused on the dark world of human trafficking, featuring characters named Rosa, Ana, and Mila. While the subject matter is far removed from the Adelson-Markel divorce, the book has become a bizarre and compelling piece of evidence in the ongoing legal drama. The prosecution and public opinion have seized on the book, not necessarily for its plot, but for the context surrounding its author and the Adelson family's attempt to control the narrative. The book's title itself—"This Is Our Story"—is now interpreted by many as a chilling, ironic statement on the family's shared, hidden history related to Markel's death.

The Five Key Reasons the Book is a Trial Focal Point

The following points illustrate why a fictional novel about human trafficking is now a major talking point in a high-profile murder-for-hire case, with updates extending into 2025.

1. The Defense’s Attempt to Exclude the Storyline

During the trials of both Charlie and Donna Adelson, the defense teams made motions to exclude any mention of Wendi's book, This Is Our Story, or its content. This aggressive move immediately signaled to the court and the public that the defense viewed the novel as potentially damaging. The very act of trying to suppress the information drew more attention to it, suggesting a perceived connection between the book and the family's actions.

2. The Infamous "Latex Spouse" Comment

Perhaps the most damaging piece of context surrounding the novel is a comment Wendi Adelson allegedly made in a writer's workshop *after* Dan Markel’s murder. According to reports, Wendi referred to her deceased ex-husband as her "latex spouse." This crude and highly inappropriate remark was reportedly made in a class where she was discussing her writing, a context closely related to her novel. While not directly from the book, the remark provides a disturbing insight into Wendi's mindset and her apparent lack of grief or respect for Markel, fueling public speculation about her involvement.

3. Dan Markel's Promotion of the Book

Before their acrimonious divorce, Dan Markel was a supportive husband who extensively promoted Wendi's debut novel on his popular academic blog. This detail highlights the contrast between the couple's professional support for one another early on and the bitter, hostile separation that preceded Markel's murder. The promotion serves as a tragic reminder of the life they once shared and the depth of the subsequent animosity.

4. The Timeline of Publication and Divorce

This Is Our Story was published in 2013. The Adelsons' divorce from Dan Markel was finalized in 2013. Markel was murdered in July 2014. This tight timeline places the novel's creation and publication squarely within the period of escalating family conflict. Though purely circumstantial, the proximity in time allows the public and legal analysts to draw a narrative line from the book's title to the family's alleged involvement in the murder.

5. The Ongoing Speculation of Wendi's Unindicted Co-Conspirator Status

Wendi Adelson has been named an unindicted co-conspirator by the prosecution, meaning they believe she was involved in the conspiracy but have not yet filed formal charges. The ongoing legal proceedings against her mother, Donna Adelson, and her brother, Charlie Adelson, who was convicted, have kept the pressure on Wendi. The book, and the context surrounding it, is one of the many pieces of "new evidence" that true crime commentators and legal experts continue to dissect as they speculate on whether Wendi will eventually face an arrest in late 2025 or beyond.

The Adelson Family Legal Saga: What Comes Next in 2025

The fate of the Adelson family continues to be decided in the Leon County courtroom, keeping the "This Is Our Story" narrative tragically alive. Charlie Adelson, Wendi’s brother, was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and solicitation in November 2023 and sentenced to life in prison. The evidence presented in his trial was extensive and highly incriminating. In a stunning development, Wendi's mother, Donna Adelson, was also convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation of murder. Her sentencing hearing is a major event expected in the latter half of 2025, with a case management hearing scheduled for October 14, 2025. Donna Adelson’s defense was the one that specifically tried to exclude the storyline of her daughter’s book from her trial, highlighting the family's concern over its potential impact. The key question that remains is whether the prosecution will eventually build a case against Wendi Adelson herself. The State has referred to evidence that is "extremely incriminating" towards Wendi. As the last major figure in the Adelson family saga who has not faced charges, Wendi’s refusal to testify and the public scrutiny of her past, including her novel and comments, ensure that "This Is Our Story" will continue to be a chilling, unfinished chapter in the murder of Dan Markel.