A Betrayal of trust: How a lottery winner trusted the wrong person and ended in murder
The tragic story of Abraham Shakespeare, a Florida lottery winner who was murdered by a woman he trusted, un folds in a new 20/20 special titled Unlucky numbers.
In a gripping new episode of 20/20, the tragic case of Abraham Shakespeare is explored, detailing his rise to lottery fame and the betrayal that led to his untimely death. In 2006, Shakespeare won a $30 million lottery jackpot and became known for his generosity, helping friends, family, and even strangers with his wealth.
But a few years later, Shakespeare mysteriously vanished, only to be discovered dead under a concrete slab in the backyard of Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore, a woman he had trusted. The special, titled 20/20: Unlucky Numbers, aired on Friday, April 18, and included an exclusive jailhouse interview with Moore, who was convicted of Shakespeare's murder.
Lottery man got murdered after trusting the wrong person
In 2006, Abraham Shakespeare won $30 million in the Florida lottery, opting for a lump-sum payout of $17 million. Generous with his newfound wealth, Shakespeare used part of his winnings to help family and friends, and even strangers, paying off mortgages and providing financial support, according to an ABC News report shared with PEOPLE.
However, three years later, Shakespeare mysteriously disappeared. In January 2010, his body was discovered buried under a concrete slab in the backyard of Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore in Plant City, Florida, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
The latest episode of 20/20, titled “Unlucky Numbers,” delves into the case and includes an exclusive jailhouse interview with Moore, made by ABC News' Matt Gutman, who was convicted of Shakespeare's murder. The special aired on Friday, April 18 on ABC, with a streaming option available on Hulu the following day.
The episode will feature exclusive interviews with investigators, prosecutors, and family members of Shakespeare.
How Abraham Shakespeare was killed?
In 2008, Moore befriended Shakespeare with the claim of writing a book about him, although the project never came to fruition. Instead, Moore took control of Shakespeare's remaining assets, including a $1.5 million annuity, according to the Associated Press.
Prosecutors say Moore shot and killed Shakespeare after he became concerned about not having access to his funds. Authorities claim that after killing him, Moore falsely told people that Shakespeare was still alive, even though his body was discovered months later. By the time of his death, most of Shakespeare’s money had already been spent.
During her trial, Moore suggested that at least five other individuals, including a drug dealer named “Ronald” and her teenage son, were responsible for Shakespeare's death, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
In 2012, Moore was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence without parole, according to Lake Ledger. Although she has filed several appeals, Moore remains in prison.
In a prison interview, Moore continues to maintain her innocence, expressing regret over Shakespeare’s death and the lies she claims were told about her involvement.
“It was wrong,” Moore says on the call. “There was no reason for him to pass away over money, but for them to lie in public and say that I took his money…the whole situation was so stupid.”