Ruth is the mother of the late Dan Markel, a noted law professor who was murdered in Tallahassee, Florida, in 2014.

 

Ruth is the author of The Unveiling: A Mother’s Reflection on Murder, Grief, and Trial Life, where she describes her experiences since the day of Dan’s death from several distinct perspectives. 

As a devastated mother with the unique human perspective of becoming a homicide survivor and victim. As a woman whose attempts to achieve normalcy and live a healthy life are continually interrupted by painful reminders, a rollercoaster of hearings, frequently changing trial dates, verdicts, and appeals. As an engaged citizen, using what she has learned to help other victims of homicide and violent crimes recover from trauma and begin an optimistic outlook on life. As an insider who shows how our collective network of family, friends, and experts — including a murder coach — have helped her family remain involved, motivated, and hopeful. As a grandmother who had not been allowed to see her grandchildren in many years, she used advocacy to inspire the Florida State Legislature to pass a grandparent visitation bill. And as an experienced author of nine books using the written word to address the shift from grief to promise effectively.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Ruth shares her grief story.
• Ruth explains the concept of the Unveiling that finds its roots in Jewish tradition.
• Ruth talks about their grief experience, one that is never going to end.
• Susan talks about the “sneaky pockets of grief.”
• Ruth talks about the characteristics of going through complicated grief.
• Ruth speaks of her book The Unveiling: A Mother's Reflection on Murder, Grief, and Trial Life.
• Ruth talks about the motive for her son’s murder.
• Ruth talks about her suffering as a grandmother who wasn’t allowed to see her grandchildren.
• You have to pay attention to the gifts you receive in life.
• Ruth shares how she advocated for grandparents’ visitation right and reached “The Markel Act.”
• Ruth advises those who have lost someone due to a traumatic death: What is going on in your inner mind has to be edited sometimes.

 

Resources

Tendrilsofgrief.com

Email Susan: [email protected]

 

Meet Ruth Markel

The murder of Dan Markel has attracted a great deal of media coverage — 20/20 and Dateline have covered the story and Wondery’s podcast on the case Over My Dead Body, had over 10 million downloads.