MIAMI - The ex-wife of a slain Florida State University law professor and her family are denying any involvement in an alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill him.

Attorneys for Wendi Adelson and several family members issued a statement Wednesday saying speculation of their involvement in Dan Markel's killing is categorically false. Authorities have previously said there may be a link between Markel's July 2014 slaying and the couple's divorce.

Police say Sigfredo Garcia and Luis Rivera travelled from South Florida to Tallahassee to kill Markel, who was shot in the head in his garage. Both men are awaiting trial on murder charges and prosecutors say they are seeking the death penalty.

The Adelson statement says the family has been subjected to an intense investigation but had no role in the slaying.