Lotto winner laid to rest

LAKELAND - LAKELAND -- The Florida lottery winner found buried behind a home in Plant City was laid to rest Saturday.

Abraham Shakespeare's life was celebrated through the voices of his family and friends at New Bethel A.M.E. Church in Lakeland.

Songs of prayer reflected on a man who had so much, but lost it all.  Shakespeare won the Florida Lottery and walked away with $12 million. It is money those close to him say cost him his life.

"He was happy, but he was miserable. He was miserable. I mean you got money and you can't even enjoy it because everyone is hounding you and everybody wants a piece of it," said Patricia King, Shakespeare's close friend.

In April of last year, Shakespeare disappeared only to be found buried beneath a concrete slab behind a home in Plant City last week.

Many say he gave a lot and got little in return.

"A man that would take his money when folks were getting to be evicted out of their homes and pay for mortgages. I stop by to tell you, brothers and sisters, that's compassion," said the church pastor.

Detectives say Dee Dee Moore befriended Shakespeare, set up a joint account, and a few months later moved Shakespeare's money to her own name, including his mansion where Moore has been living.

Deputies charged her with accessory after the fact.

Many at the funeral say greed is responsible for the death of a good man.

Major Joe Halman of the Polk County Sheriff's Office praised the detectives for finding Shakespeare's body nearly a year after his disappearance.

"I want you to know that we're not going to rest until everybody responsible is brought to justice," added Major Halman.