Title: Tragic Murder of Lottery Winner Abraham Shakespeare Takes Centre Stage on ’20/20′ Show
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The chilling murder case of lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare is set to be featured in a special episode of ’20/20: Unlucky Numbers,’ scheduled to air on Friday, April 18, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on ABC. The heartbreaking tale showcases the deceit and betrayal that led to Shakespeare’s untimely demise at the hands of someone he trusted.
In 2006, Abraham Shakespeare struck it rich by winning $30 million in the Florida lottery, opting for a $17 million lump-sum payout. Described as a generous soul, Shakespeare used his newfound wealth to help friends, family, and even strangers, by paying off mortgages and lending financial assistance. However, three years after his monumental win, Shakespeare inexplicably disappeared, sparking a harrowing mystery.
Tragically, in January 2010, the lifeless body of the 43-year-old Shakespeare was unearthed from a concrete slab concealed in the backyard of Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore in Plant City, Florida, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times. The perplexing question remained – who was Dee Dee Moore, and what was her connection to Shakespeare’s tragic end?
This week’s episode of 20/20 delves deep into the case, with Moore, the woman convicted of Shakespeare’s murder, speaking exclusively in a jailhouse call with ABC News’ Matt Gutman. Titled “Unlucky Numbers,” the special edition promises exclusive insights from prosecutors, police detectives involved in the investigation, and the bereaved loved ones of Shakespeare. The broadcast aims to shed light on the heinous acts that led to Shakespeare’s demise.
Moore insinuated herself into Shakespeare’s life in 2008, under the guise of collaborating on a book about his extraordinary journey. However, the collaborative project never materialized, and instead, Moore surreptitiously gained control of Shakespeare’s remaining assets, including a substantial $1.5 million annuity. Prosecutors alleged that Moore callously ended Shakespeare’s life when he grew anxious about his dwindling access to finances, detailed in the Lakeland Ledger.
Amidst a web of lies and deceit, Moore callously spread misinformation, claiming that Shakespeare was alive even after his body was gruesomely unearthed months later. Subsequent investigations revealed that a significant portion of Shakespeare’s fortune had been squandered before his tragic demise, complicating the already convoluted case. During her trial, Moore pointed fingers at multiple individuals, including a drug dealer known as “Ronald” and even implicated her teenage son in the ghastly deed.
In 2012, Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore was found guilty of first-degree murder and is now serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Despite persistent efforts to appeal her conviction, Moore remains incarcerated, steadfast in her proclamations of innocence. In a poignant moment from her prison interview, Moore expressed regret over the devastating outcome, lamenting the role money played in the tragedy.
The exclusive revelations and harrowing details surrounding Abraham Shakespeare’s fateful encounter with Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore will be unveiled in the upcoming ’20/20: Unlucky Numbers’ special edition. Tune in on Friday, April 18, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on ABC, with the option to stream the episode on Hulu the following day. Stay informed with the latest crime coverage by signing up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter.
The tragic tale of Abraham Shakespeare serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly fortuitous circumstances. The ’20/20′ feature promises to navigate through the intricate web of deceit and betrayal that led to Shakespeare’s heartbreaking demise at the hands of someone he once considered a confidante.