Abraham Lee Shakespeare, a casual laborer from Lakeland, Florida, won a $30 million lottery jackpot in 2006, receiving a lump sum payment of $17 million. Despite his newfound wealth, Shakespeare's life took a tragic turn. On April 7, 2009, at the age of 42, he was murdered in Plant City, Florida. His body was discovered on January 26, 2010, buried under a concrete slab in the backyard of an acquaintance's home. The investigation into his death revealed a tale of greed and betrayal.
Shakespeare's disappearance was reported by his family in November 2009, after they had not seen him since April of that year. Initially, there was hope that he had taken his money and was living a quiet life somewhere. However, as the investigation progressed, it became clear that foul play was involved. The primary suspect in the case was Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore, a woman who had befriended Shakespeare and gained control over his finances. Moore had launched a business with Shakespeare, giving herself access to his funds, and had withdrawn significant amounts of money for her personal use.
Moore's involvement in Shakespeare's life raised suspicions, especially after she made various attempts to cover up his disappearance. She claimed that Shakespeare had left town to avoid people asking for money and even went as far as sending messages from his phone to make it appear as though he was still alive. However, these efforts were in vain as the investigation uncovered the truth. Moore was arrested on February 2, 2010, and charged with first-degree murder. She was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The case of Abraham Lee Shakespeare highlights the darker side of sudden wealth and the dangers of trusting the wrong people. His tragic death serves as a reminder of how greed can lead to devastating consequences. The legal proceedings against Moore brought some closure to Shakespeare's family, but the loss of a loved one in such a brutal manner left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
