Case 248
Abraham Shakespeare
*** Content warning: Gun violence ***
When 41-year-old Abraham Shakespeare won the 30 million dollar Florida Lottery prize, his underprivileged life changed overnight. Yet, he quickly realised his newfound wealth was a curse.
Despite showing limitless charity, he became demoralised by the pressure and expectations thrust upon him by those seeking his money. Then in April 2009, Abraham vanished. Had he voluntarily left to escape the stress, or had something more sinister occurred?
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Milly Raso
Creative direction – Milly Raso
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
PREMIUM
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RESOURCES
BOOKS
Unlucky Number by Deborah Mathis
ARTICLES
Lawsuit: Millionaire stole lotto ticket – The Ledger
Lotto win stays with trucker – Tampa Bay Times
Famed attorney and client victorious in $30 million lottery trial – LA Sentinel
Lottery winner led problem-filled life – NBC News
Lotto winner Abraham Shakespeare’s sudden millions led to celebrity and tragedy – Orlando Sentinel
Body of lottery winner found buried in Florida – BBC News
Recordings shed light on acquaintances – The Ledger
Convicted murderer Dee Dee Moore denies guilt in lotto killing – ABC News
Informant suggested ‘fall guy’ take blame for Shakespeare’s disappearance – The Ledger
Dee Dee Moore found guilty – ABC News
Tampa woman who killed lottery winner backs bill to keep names secret – Tampa Bay Times
Abraham Shakespeare won the lottery, then lost it all – Tampa Bay Times
ARCHIVED ARTICLES
Lotto winner hasn’t altered frugal lifestyle – Herald-Tribune
Big victory in lottery dispute – The Tampa Tribune
Man found not guilty of taking winning Lotto ticket – The Stuart News
Trucker keeps Lotto win as jury denies co-worker – Tampa Bay Times
Was he fed up or was it foul play? – Tampa Bay Times
VIDEOS
20/20: a man wins and loses the lotto – ABC News
Lotto winner’s killer says she’s sorry – FOX 13 Tampa Bay
Florida man swindled, killed over lottery money – Crime Watch Daily