Abraham Shakespeare, Lottery Winner and Murder Victim, Laid to Rest in Florida

A most disturbing tale of money, murder and exploitation is unfolding in Florida. If this story about Abraham Shakespeare were a movie drama, it would be a tragic one. A young poor man has the incredible luck of winning $31 million in the lottery and three years later, he ends up missing and found murdered.

It is the classic case of "money being the root of all evil." In barely 3 years time, 43 year old day laborer, Abraham Shakespeare went from being on top of the world to being buried 5 feet deep, in a cement, covered grave. Mr. Shakespeare was just a simple man, trying to do the right thing by his family and friends.

He willingly shared his winnings (13 million after taxes) with people in need. Moved by compassion, he paid off mortgages, cars and funerals. Friends describe him as a man who would give anyone money if they needed it. He did buy himself a few luxuries...a new truck, new cars and a luxury home, but soon got terribly caught up in a miserable cycle of people hounding him for money. Because he could not say "No," his life slowly spun out of control and the money became a burden.

Enter con-woman, extraordinaire, Dorice (Dee Dee) Moore (no relation to the author.) Moore, a buxom blonde with a shady past, charmed her way into Abraham's life. She told him she wanted to write a book about him. She offered to become his financial advisor and help him with his problems. Abraham, who never graduated from high school, gratefully accepted her help. She also began a relationship with Abraham's mother, taking her shopping, to Disney and out to lunch.

Business records show that a company owned by Moore bought Shakespeare's million dollar home for $650,000. She also put all of Abraham's assets in her own name.

In April 2009 Abraham disappeared. Moore kept up her relationship with the mother telling her that Abraham had gone away for a rest and vacation. She also used his cell phone, pretending to be Abraham, texting his friends, keeping in touch, saying he was fine.

Abraham was finally reported missing in November 2009. On January 28, 2010, acting on an anonymous tip, police authorities found Abraham Shakespeare's body buried in cement behind a home in Plant City. The property where the body was found is owned by the boyfriend of Ms. Moore.

Police said Mr. Shakespeare was probably killed April 7th or 8^th. Shortly afterward Ms. Moore moved into his luxury home in another county. A witness has come forward saying Moore offered a prison bound convict $50,000 to confess to the murder of Abraham. Moore would even provide him with the murder weapon.

Moore has since been arrested and jailed as an accessory to murder. Police are actively working on the case.

Abraham Shakespeare's funeral was held at the New Bethel AME Church in Lakeland, Florida, where the pastor compared him to the good Samaritan who helped the down trodden. Friends and family all praised his generosity.

Sources:

TBO.com

St.Pete Times