Adnan Syed Wife: Marriage and Divorce While in Prison 2023 Update
Adnan Syed, the man convicted in 2000 of murdering his former girlfriend Hae Min Lee, was recently released from prison after his conviction was overturned. Syed spent over 20 years in prison maintaining his innocence. During his incarceration, rumors circulated that Syed had gotten married. Here is the truth about Adnan Syed’s wife.
Key Takeaways:
- In 2008, Syed married a woman named Kendra in prison
- Kendra was visiting another inmate when she met Syed
- Syed and Kendra divorced after 2 years in 2010
- Syed is currently not married
- His marriage and divorce were not mentioned in the Serial podcast
Adnan Syed became a household name after the hugely popular Serial podcast investigated his case in 2014. Sarah Koenig, the host of Serial, examined the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee and subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend Syed. The podcast uncovered potential flaws in the prosecution’s case, raising doubts about Syed’s guilt.
In 2022, Syed’s conviction was overturned after new evidence came to light. However, he had already served over 20 years in prison. During his incarceration, rumors emerged that Syed had gotten married.
Adnan Syed’s Prison Wedding
In 2008, Syed married a woman named Kendra while he was imprisoned at the Jessup Correctional Institution in Maryland. Syed’s friend and advocate Rabia Chaudry broke the news about the prison wedding on her podcast Undisclosed.
Chaudry explained that Kendra originally visited Jessup Correctional Institution to see a different inmate. That’s when she met Adnan Syed and they developed a relationship. After getting approval to marry, Kendra and Syed had an Islamic wedding ceremony at the prison in 2008.
Syed’s marriage to Kendra was never mentioned in the popular Serial podcast. Even Sarah Koenig did not find out about it until years later. Koenig said she was “floored” when she learned Syed had gotten married in prison.
Adnan Syed’s Divorce
Syed and Kendra were married for about two years before divorcing in 2010. According to Rabia Chaudry, the divorce occurred after Syed was transferred to a new facility that had limited communication.
Chaudry said Syed worked odd jobs in prison and managed to save up $10,000 over eight years. It is unclear if he used that money for his Islamic wedding ceremony or marital expenses.
After the divorce, not much information was made public about Kendra or her perspective on the brief marriage. Syed did not remarry again during the remaining years of his incarceration.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Adnan Syed marries Kendra |
| 2010 | The couple divorces |
Where is Adnan Syed Now?
Adnan Syed is currently not married. After his murder conviction was vacated in September 2022, Syed was released from prison on his own recognizance. A judge ordered him to home detention with GPS monitoring.
Prosecutors now have 30 days to either dismiss the charges against Syed or proceed with a new trial. Syed maintains his innocence and continues to have the support of advocates like Rabia Chaudry.
Now that Syed has been freed from prison, some speculate he may eventually move on and start a new relationship. However, he currently remains focused on permanently clearing his name rather than romantic relationships.
Background on the Murder Case
In early 1999 in Baltimore, Maryland, 18-year-old Hae Min Lee disappeared. Her body was found nearly a month later buried in a park. An autopsy determined she had been strangled.
Lee’s ex-boyfriend, 17-year-old Adnan Syed, was arrested and charged with her murder. Prosecutors claimed Syed was distraught over their breakup and killed Lee in a fit of rage. In 2000, a jury convicted Syed of first-degree murder and he was sentenced to life in prison.
Syed maintained his innocence but his appeals were denied. Then in 2014, interest in the case exploded when Sarah Koenig re-investigated the crime in Serial. Her reporting raised doubts about the evidence linking Syed to the murder.
Flaws Highlighted in the Case Against Syed
The Serial podcast and later investigations highlighted potential issues in the prosecution’s original case against Adnan Syed:
- No forensic evidence like DNA connected Syed to the crime
- Questionable cell phone data was used to place Syed at the scene
- Unreliable witness testimony provided shifting timelines
- Ineffective defense counsel did not investigate alibi witness Asia McClain
- New suspects have emerged that were not properly ruled out
In 2022, a judge ordered a new trial for Syed based on the ineffective counsel and new evidence arguments. Prosecutors’ appeal led to Syed’s conviction being reinstated just weeks after his prison release.
Possible Outcomes Moving Forward
Prosecutors are now faced with deciding how to proceed with Adnan Syed’s case. Here are the possible scenarios:
- Dismiss the charges against Syed, ending the case
- Offer a plea deal for Syed to plead guilty in exchange for no retrial
- Proceed with a new trial against Syed based on the original charges
- Bring reduced charges against Syed like involuntary manslaughter
It remains uncertain which path prosecutors will take. Syed continues to assert his full innocence. He likely hopes to have the charges dropped permanently unless new indisputable evidence emerges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Adnan Syed get married in prison?
Yes, Syed married a woman named Kendra in 2008 while incarcerated. The marriage lasted about two years before ending in divorce.
What was his wife’s name?
Adnan Syed’s wife was named Kendra. Not much is publicly known about her background.
How did Adnan meet his wife?
Kendra was visiting another inmate when she met Syed at Jessup Correctional Institution. They developed a relationship and got married at the prison.
Does Adnan Syed have any kids?
No, Adnan Syed does not have any children as far as public records indicate.
Is Adnan Syed still married?
No, Syed got divorced in 2010 after about two years of marriage to Kendra. He has not remarried since his divorce.
What is Syed doing now?
Syed was released from prison in September 2022. He is currently out on bail but confined to home detention while prosecutors determine if they will retry him for murder.
The brief marriage of Adnan Syed to Kendra has sparked interest alongside the legal drama around his murder conviction. But the relationship ended in divorce years ago. For now, Syed remains focused on proving his innocence in the death of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee over two decades ago. His future freedom hinges on whether prosecutors will retry him for murder or finally drop the charges forever.
Reference links
- https://undisclosed-podcast.com/episodes/season-1/
- https://www.nytimes.com/article/adnan-syed-serial-timeline-serial.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Hae_Min_Lee
Last Updated on October 16, 2023 by
Shahid Maqsood, with an MBA and a Master’s in Mass Communications, has 10 years of writing experience. Specializing in news and celebrity coverage, he brings a unique perspective from his love for hunting and camping, difference between. He’s passionate about the outdoors, especially hunting and camping. Shahid contributes to websites like dosttrusty.com, distinctionbetweencom and bruitly.com offering insightful articles on news and celebrities. His straightforward, engaging style makes him a trusted source for readers.