Dateline NBC “Deadly Mischief” October 24 2025 Recap & Preview
Dateline NBC dives into a chilling murder-for-hire case that stunned Florida and captured national attention for over a decade. Airing Friday, October 24, 2025, at 9/8c, the episode titled Deadly Mischief is reported by Dennis Murphy and explores the high-profile killing of Florida State University law professor Daniel Markel — a crime rooted in family conflict, custody battles, and a web of deceit.
The Victim: Daniel Markel
Daniel Markel, a respected legal scholar, was gunned down in 2014 in the driveway of his Tallahassee home. At the time, Markel was entangled in a contentious custody dispute with his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson. As police followed the evidence, what at first seemed like a random act of violence was soon revealed to be a calculated assassination.
The Mastermind: Donna Adelson
In a stunning turn, the investigation ultimately led to Donna Adelson, the 75-year-old matriarch of a wealthy South Florida family. After years of suspicion and investigative breakthroughs, she was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and solicitation. Prosecutors argued she orchestrated the killing in an attempt to help her daughter regain full custody of the children.
On Monday, she was sentenced to life in prison without parole, with an additional 30 years for the other charges, to be served consecutively. In court, Adelson maintained her innocence, calling the trial a miscarriage of justice and denying any involvement. Judge Stephen Everett, however, made it clear the evidence was overwhelming.
The Fallout
Donna Adelson became the fifth person convicted in the elaborate plot to kill Markel. Her son, Charles Adelson, is already serving a life sentence. Wendi Adelson, the former wife of the victim, has denied any involvement and has not been charged.
Dateline features exclusive courtroom footage, interviews with legal experts, friends of the victim, and those closely following the case. The episode examines how family tension, legal disputes, and long-standing animosity led to a deadly outcome — and how investigators unraveled the Adelson family’s role.
Don’t miss Deadly Mischief, Friday at 9/8c on NBC. The full episode will also be available for streaming the next day on Peacock.
