Abraham Shakespeare Victim of Fortune

Abraham Shakespeare

© Elizabeth DeBevoise

Today, a real-life mystery, solved. It’s about a lottery winner named Abraham Shakespeare, who became a victim of fortune’s nemesis: greed.

Abraham Shakespeare was a simple man, by all accounts. He dropped out of school after seventh grade, still illiterate. He held a series of labor jobs over the years. He was convicted of a handful of burglaries and spent some time in jail.

A free man again in 2006, Shakespeare’s luck changed when he won the lottery in Lakeland, Florida. The winning numbers were: 6, 12, 13, 34, 42, 52. Can you imagine? $30 million! He was 40 years old. The windfall changed his life and the lives of others around him.

He bought a million-dollar home in a gated community, a Rolex, and a shiny new car. And suddenly, what do you know! He had a gaggle of friends! They loved Shakespeare’s free-flowing cash as much — or more — than he did.

Unfortunately, Shakespeare couldn’t say no. Increasingly frustrated, he allegedly told a childhood friend, “I thought all these people were my friends, but then I realized all they want is just money.” The hangers-on didn’t let go.

And then, the mystery.

Almost three years to the day after his big win, Shakespeare’s family reported him missing. In fact, they said it had been about seven months since they had seen him.

When the Polk County Sheriff’s Office got involved, they discovered the money was gone. All 17 million dollars of that lump sum cash payment. Spent. Vanished. Just like Mr. Shakespeare himself.

Did the family’s distance suggest foul play in Shakespeare’s disappearance? Or maybe they were kindly helping to hide him from those hangers-on. Had Shakespeare simply run off to the Caribbean? Maybe he was living on a beach somewhere. That was a nice thought.

Authorities uncovered several text messages sent after Shakespeare vanished. Friends and relatives were perplexed when they suddenly began receiving text messages from Abraham. Everyone knew he couldn’t read, much less send text messages.

Suspicion fell on Dee Dee Moore. Authorities say she knew Shakespeare, and claimed he decided to go to Texas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Orlando, or was sick in a hospital. She would know, because she was financial adviser to the illiterate Shakespeare, giving herself control of his funds. She helped herself to a Hummer, a new truck, and a Chevy Corvette.

I remember the day crews started digging up concrete at a home in Plant City, not far from Tampa. The television news coverage was somber.

On January 27, 2010, police found a body at that home, shot to death with a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, and buried under the concrete. Two days later, the body was identified as Abraham Shakespeare, 43.

Dee Dee Moore told many stories about what happened to Shakespeare. She said drug dealers killed him, she said a lawyer did it, and she even claimed she had killed him in self-defense.

Jurors decided Dee Dee Moore killed Abraham Shakespeare in a cold-blooded case of first degree murder.

Dee Dee Moore has been in prison for one year today. She’ll be there for the rest of her life.

Was Abraham Shakespeare lucky to have won the lotto? What say you?

Caffeinate and Carry On!

p.s. Would a little extra cash in your budget make a difference?  We might be able to help with that. Are you a member of the Diane Capri Crowd NewsFlash! mailing list?  Just CLICK HERE to complete the form and refer your friends, too. Can’t wait to see you there!

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6 Responses to Abraham Shakespeare Victim of Fortune

  1. Pat Davis December 10, 2013 at 8:53 am #

    Not lucky. Not smart! The people around us make us who we are. He didn’t know how to make real friends because he never was one.

    • Diane December 16, 2013 at 10:26 am #

      Not smart or lucky at all, Pat. Thanks for reading!

  2. Annie P December 10, 2013 at 10:20 am #

    I remember this event well. Living in Florida, the news coverage was extensive. I say poor or rich, the having or not having of money… Each brings with it a unique set of problems. Abraham may have come to a sad end not because of bad luck or money but because of an unfortunate choice of friends.

    • Diane December 16, 2013 at 10:25 am #

      You’re so right, Annie. Thanks for the comment!

  3. Pat Huot December 10, 2013 at 8:28 pm #

    Sorry for both Abraham and Dee Dee and how things ended for them, very sad. I read some place that the love of money is the source of all kinds of evil. I guess what I read is true….

    • Diane December 16, 2013 at 10:24 am #

      It is a sad tale, Pat. And a cautionary one as those big lottos reach triple digits this season. Thanks for stopping by.

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