How a $30 Million Lottery Win Put a Target on Abraham Shakespeare

When Abraham Shakespeare, a humble truck driver’s assistant from Florida, won a staggering $30 million in the lottery in 2006, his life changed overnight. For many, such a windfall represents freedom, opportunity, and the chance to live out lifelong dreams. But for Shakespeare, the fortune quickly turned into a nightmare, one that would tragically end in betrayal and murder.

Shakespeare, a quiet and generous man, initially used his winnings to help those around him. Friends, acquaintances, and even strangers often came to him seeking financial assistance, and he rarely said no. His kindness, however, left him vulnerable. As the money dwindled, so did his peace of mind. Those close to him later recalled how he longed for the simpler days before his lottery win, often saying he wished he had never bought the ticket.

The pressure of sudden wealth intensified when Shakespeare crossed paths with Dee Dee Moore, a woman who offered to help him manage his fortune. At first, Moore appeared to be a business partner and confidant, but in reality, she was plotting to take control of his assets. Within a few years, Shakespeare disappeared, and suspicion quickly turned toward Moore.

In 2010, the mystery came to a grim conclusion when Shakespeare’s body was discovered buried under a concrete slab in the backyard of a home connected to Moore. Investigators determined that she had manipulated, exploited, and ultimately murdered him in an attempt to seize his remaining fortune. Moore was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The tragic story of Abraham Shakespeare is a cautionary tale about the darker side of sudden wealth. Far from bringing him happiness, his lottery winnings attracted opportunists, created enemies, and left him isolated. Instead of freedom, his fortune made him a target.

Shakespeare’s fate serves as a sobering reminder that money can amplify both the good and the bad in people’s lives—and that sometimes, the price of wealth can be far greater than the reward.