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The $30 Million Tragedy: 5 Shocking Facts About The Murder Of Lottery Winner Abraham Shakespeare And Dee Dee Moore's Current Status

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The story of Abraham Shakespeare remains one of the most tragic and cautionary tales in the history of the Florida Lottery, a stark reminder that sudden wealth can attract the darkest of intentions. As of December 2025, the narrative is far from over, with the woman convicted of his murder, Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore, making headlines from behind bars, adding fresh, shocking twists to a case that stunned the nation.

The illiterate, part-time garbage worker from Lakeland, Florida, went from rags-to-riches to a victim of betrayal and murder in less than three years. His $30 million jackpot became a target, and the woman who promised to help him manage his money ultimately took his life. This article dives deep into the tragedy and brings you the most current updates on the case, including Dee Dee Moore's latest legal maneuvers and her ironic political advocacy.

Abraham Shakespeare: A Brief Biography and The Lottery Win

Abraham Lee Shakespeare was born on April 24, 1966, in Florida, USA. He was a casual laborer, often working as a truck driver's assistant, and was known to be illiterate. His life was one of modest means until a fateful day in 2006 changed everything.

  • Full Name: Abraham Lee Shakespeare
  • Date of Birth: April 24, 1966
  • Occupation: Casual Laborer, Truck Driver's Assistant
  • Hometown: Lakeland, Florida
  • Lottery Win Date: November 15, 2006
  • Jackpot Amount: $30 Million (Florida Lottery)
  • Lump-Sum Payout: $17 Million (after taxes, approximately $12 million)
  • Approximate Date of Death: c. April 7, 2009
  • Mother: Elizabeth Walker

Shakespeare chose the lump-sum payout of $17 million, which netted him roughly $12 million after taxes. Almost immediately, he was overwhelmed by requests for money. Family, friends, and strangers descended upon him, all claiming to need help. Shakespeare, known for his generosity and inability to say no, began giving away his fortune at an alarming rate.

He bought homes, cars, and paid off debts for dozens of people. Within two years, it is estimated he had given away or loaned over $11 million. This financial chaos and his trusting nature made him a perfect target for a predatory "financial advisor" named Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore.

The Betrayal: How Dee Dee Moore Stole a Fortune and a Life

Dorice Donegan "Dee Dee" Moore entered Shakespeare’s life in 2008, claiming she wanted to write a book about his struggles as a lottery winner. She quickly positioned herself as his financial manager, promising to help him manage the remainder of his money and shield him from the constant demands of others.

In reality, Moore systematically drained his remaining assets. She convinced him to transfer his final major assets to her, including a $1.5 million home in Lithia, Florida, and the last of his money. By the time Shakespeare disappeared in April 2009, his bank accounts were empty, and Moore controlled virtually everything he owned.

When Shakespeare's family began to question his disappearance, Moore offered various shifting stories, claiming he had "gone on vacation" or was "tired of people asking for money." She even went so far as to pay a relative of Shakespeare to call his mother, Elizabeth Walker, and pretend to be Abraham, assuring her he was fine.

The truth was uncovered in January 2010. After a lengthy investigation by Hillsborough County authorities, Shakespeare's body was found buried under a concrete slab in the backyard of Moore's boyfriend's home. He had been shot multiple times.

The trial, which captivated the state of Florida, concluded with a jury finding Dee Dee Moore guilty of first-degree murder and accessory after the fact. In 2012, she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Latest Updates: Dee Dee Moore's Fight for Freedom and Lottery Anonymity

The case of Abraham Shakespeare is not confined to the history books; it continues to generate fresh news and legal activity in late 2024 and 2025. The most recent developments center on Dee Dee Moore's persistent efforts to overturn her conviction and her unexpected involvement in a major state legislative issue.

1. The Ongoing Battle for a New Trial

Despite her life sentence, Dee Dee Moore has relentlessly pursued appeals, arguing for a new trial. Her legal team often focuses on procedural errors or new evidence they claim exonerates her, pointing fingers at other individuals who were close to Shakespeare. As of the current date, her efforts have been unsuccessful, but her ongoing legal challenges keep the case in the public eye, highlighting the long-tail consequences of the tragedy.

2. The Ironic Push for Lottery Winner Privacy

In a truly bizarre and ironic twist, Moore has become an unlikely advocate for a Florida law that would protect the identity of lottery winners.

Speaking from behind bars, Dorice Donegan Moore has publicly stated that publicly identifying recipients of big lottery payouts puts their lives at risk, citing her own crime as a prime example of the dangers of forced transparency. She argues that if Shakespeare’s identity had been protected, she would never have been able to find him and his money, thus preventing his murder.

This push for the Florida Lottery Anonymity Bill is a key, fresh entity in the Shakespeare case, as it uses the very tragedy Moore caused to argue for a legislative change. While the bill itself has been a point of debate in the Florida Legislature for years, Moore’s unexpected advocacy has brought renewed attention to the debate over winner privacy versus public transparency.

The Legacy of Abraham Shakespeare and The Lottery Curse

Abraham Shakespeare's story is frequently cited in discussions about the "lottery curse," the phenomenon where massive financial windfalls lead to personal ruin, debt, and tragedy. His generosity, coupled with his illiteracy and lack of financial education, made him exceptionally vulnerable.

The case serves as a powerful cautionary tale, illustrating several important lessons:

  • The Danger of Sudden Wealth: Shakespeare's experience proves that a massive jackpot can instantly make a person a target for predatory individuals, regardless of their background.
  • The Need for Financial Literacy: His quick loss of over $11 million demonstrates the critical need for immediate, professional, and trustworthy financial advising after a major win.
  • Vetting Your Inner Circle: Dee Dee Moore's ability to infiltrate his life under the guise of a financial advisor highlights the importance of carefully vetting anyone who approaches a winner with an offer of "help."

Today, the name Abraham Shakespeare is synonymous with the darkest side of the American dream, a story of a man who won the world's most desired prize only to lose his life to greed. The ongoing legal and political maneuvers by his killer, Dee Dee Moore, ensure that the tragic legacy of the $30 million winner continues to evolve in the public consciousness.

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