20/20 Podcast Episode Summary: "Unlucky Numbers"

Title: Unlucky Numbers
Host/Author: ABC News
Release Date: April 19, 2025
Description: This episode delves into the tragic story of Abraham Shakespeare, a lottery winner whose sudden fortune led to his disappearance and eventual murder. Through investigative reporting, exclusive interviews, and expert analysis, "Unlucky Numbers" unravels the complex web of greed, manipulation, and tragedy that ensued.

1. Introduction to Abraham Shakespeare

The episode opens by introducing Abraham Shakespeare, a 40-year-old man from Lakeland, Florida. Abraham's life is portrayed as humble and content, working various odd jobs and maintaining strong friendships in his modest neighborhood.

Host (00:31): "A stroke of luck, and nothing will ever be the same again. That's exactly what happened to a man with the name you will never forget, Abraham Shakespeare."

2. The Lottery Win

Abraham's fate changes dramatically when he wins a $30 million jackpot in the Florida lottery. Initially skeptical, he seeks confirmation from his cousin before the news spreads rapidly across Florida.

Narrator (03:17): "I just wasn't sure. I needed somebody I could trust to tell me that. And I was like, do not show this to anybody else. You go to Tallahassee and cash this in immediately."

After taxes, Abraham nets $12 million—a substantial amount for someone from his background.

Host (04:07): "Still, you know, $12 million is a huge chunk of change for a man with a pretty humble background."

3. Life After Winning

Despite his newfound wealth, Abraham remains grounded. He purchases a modest used car, a Rolex watch, and eventually fulfills his long-held dream of owning a million-dollar mansion in a gated community.

Narrator (05:43): "Abraham went to the car dealership. He buys a used car. It was a gem to him."

Abraham's humble spending contrasts sharply with the expectations of his community, setting the stage for future conflicts.

4. The Flood of Requests and Generosity

Abraham's generosity becomes overwhelming as friends, family, and strangers alike seek financial assistance. He establishes a system to manage these requests, treating himself as the neighborhood bank. However, the sheer volume of demands strains his resources.

Narrator (08:44): "Abraham's generosity spread throughout Lakeland. People did not hesitate to come to Abraham and say, you know, I need money for my mortgage... Everything you can think of that someone needed."

Host (09:18): "It got tired sometimes."

5. Introduction of Dee Dee Moore

At a party in his new home, Abraham meets Cyntoria Butler, who becomes his partner. Soon after, Dee Dee Moore enters the scene, presenting herself as a financial advisor eager to help Abraham manage his wealth.

Narrator (14:31): "Dee Dee Moore seemed like she was a very professional woman. She was in a suit and heels and hose and everything."

Dee Dee quickly garners Abraham's trust, taking over his financial affairs and positioning herself as an indispensable advisor.

6. Abraham's Disappearance

Amid mounting pressures and financial strains, Abraham suddenly vanishes. Friends and family notice his absence, sparking concern and speculation about his whereabouts.

Host (16:16): "When nobody seen him for the first couple months, we were like, okay. You know, he did say that he was gonna go away for a while and just let things, you know, kind of die down and chill. And then he was going to come back."

7. Investigation and Suspects

Abraham's cousin, Cedric Edom, files a missing persons report, initiating an investigation. Detectives explore various leads, including the possibility of Abraham fleeing with his money or falling victim to foul play.

Expert (19:56): "A lot of people said, well, I mean, I don't think he's missing. I think he took his money and wants to get away from all this."

8. Dee Dee Moore as a Person of Interest

As the investigation progresses, Dee Dee Moore emerges as a person of interest. Investigators uncover her dubious past, including convictions for petty theft and check fraud, raising suspicions about her motivations and integrity.

Narrator (33:29): "Dee Dee Moore's got a checkered past. She's no angel."

Expert (32:37): "Abraham didn't have access to a penny of his money. Dede had not only taken over all of his banking accounts, she had transferred money out of the banking accounts."

9. The Revelation and Trial

Evidence mounts against Dee Dee as investigators link her to Abraham's financial demise and eventual disappearance. Surveillance footage and witness testimonies suggest her involvement in orchestrating Abraham's murder. Dee Dee is indicted for first-degree murder after human remains identified as Abraham's are discovered on her property.

Expert (63:27): "Dee Dee Moore was indicted for first-degree murder, premeditated murder of Abraham Shakespeare."

Throughout the trial, Dee Dee maintains her innocence, alleging she was manipulated and framed by others.

10. Verdict and Aftermath

After a tense trial filled with compelling testimonies and damning evidence, the jury convicts Dee Dee Moore of first-degree murder. She is sentenced to life in a Florida state prison without the possibility of parole.

Host (70:32): "Dee Dee proves guilty on the first count... life in a Florida state prison without the possibility of parole."

In subsequent interviews, Dee Dee continues to deny involvement, expressing frustration with her conviction and maintaining that she was wrongfully blamed.

Dee Dee Moore (74:58): "I didn't murder. I wouldn't harm nobody. I liked Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and Disney."

11. Reflection and Legacy

The episode concludes by reflecting on Abraham Shakespeare's legacy—a man who used his wealth to help others but ultimately became a victim of greed and deceit. His disappearance and murder leave a lasting impact on his community, highlighting the dark side of sudden wealth.

Narrator (81:36): "Abraham Shakespeare not only lost his fortune and his life, he lost the chance to see his children grow up."

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Host (09:18): "It got fed up with it a lot."

• Narrator (23:38): "He wants to move it, because if I'm gonna confess to this, I'm gonna make it my own."

• Expert (53:11): "That's the biggest moment of the case. That's where we know 100% he's dead."

• Dee Dee Moore (74:56): "I didn't harm another human being. I would never hurt nobody."

• Host (70:32): "Dee Dee proves guilty on the first count... life in a Florida state prison without the possibility of parole."

Conclusion

"Unlucky Numbers" portrays the harrowing journey of Abraham Shakespeare from a humble lottery winner to a man whose fortune brings tragedy and loss. Through meticulous investigative reporting, the episode sheds light on the destructive power of wealth when coupled with human greed and manipulation. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the unforeseen consequences that can accompany sudden financial windfalls.

For those intrigued by true crime and the intricate dynamics of human relationships strained by wealth, "Unlucky Numbers" offers a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.