It happened in 1983 in Dallas, Texas. Well-known real estate developer Robert Edelman, who was an abusive husband, got so mad at his wife Linda that he hired a professional criminal to have her killed. How Linda along with her two young children lived under the threat of death is featured in Charles Correll’s made-for-TV movie Dead Before Dawn.
Aired on ABC in January 1993, Dead Before Dawn stars Cheryl Ladd as Linda Edelman, the protagonist and intended victim of the murder plot paid for by her domineering, rich husband. Robert Edelman (Jameson Parker) vengefully decides to get her killed after she stops putting up with his abuse and moves to her parents’ house, filing for divorce. The FBI gets involved and Linda has to go into hiding until she is safe. But for how long?
The movie is done well with believable acting, tight plot, and the perfect story arc for a crime thriller with a few good twists. Linda’s character dominates the story with contrasting shades of weakness and strength as she puts up a legal fight for the custody of her kids. Her character is relatable particularly to those countless women who had to go through silence over their abuse in hopes of saving their marriage and the kids from the dilemma of a split family.
Put against the real life timeline of events, it would appear ironic that Dead Before Dawn came out in 1993 – the year when Edelman was released from prison after serving his 10-year sentence. Many years later, the real estate developer would again make news for getting dragged to the court by a friend and business partner of his after Edelman allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities and filed bankruptcy. What was that saying again about the leopard and its spots?
