"It's hogwash. [5], In 2001, Stidham answered an ad Bradley Schwartz had placed in a trade journal seeking someone to care for the pediatric patients in his Tucson ophthalmology practice,[6] Arizona Specialty Eye Care. 48 Hours: Who Was Susan Bermans Mob Boss Father? Instead, they found Dr. Schwartz in a pool of blood. He look out for us," said Stragaj. Even as a young child, I could see she wasn't there because she loved him," he said. Samuel Booth Murder Case Where Is James Thomas Wood today? Hulbert, 19, of Millersville, Md., wrote in a confession that he killed Schwartz to protect Clara Schwartz from abuse. Carter wants justice for a father whose life started and ended so badly, but who lived the long middle dedicated to others. Furthermore, deVlaming says, Stragaj's story of being in the house to retrieve Becky's purse makes no sense. "Money. "He was just a good dentist and a good -- become a good friend,' Cecil continued. A Loudoun County When Robert Schwartz was found dead at his home, investigators have reason to believe his death was She fired them shortly after the murder. by 2Paragraphs in Culture | February 11, 2017, Dr. Steven Schwartz with his wife Becky (48 Hours/CBS image), The 48 Hours episode The Strange Life of Dr. Schwartz investigates the murder of Dr. Steven Schwartz, a 74-year-olda wealthy doctor who was brutally murderedin his Florida mansion. I want-- I-- I know it looks bad," said Stragaj. WebThe 48 Hours episode The Strange Life of Dr. Schwartz investigates the murder of Dr. Steven Schwartz, a 74-year-old a wealthy doctor who was brutally murdered in his "I said, 'What did you do,' right away. "Her. But her attorneys make the case that she is innocent, and Leo Stragaj had a strong motive to kill Dr. Schwartz alone. Van Sant asked. I think he turned it into a positive. But all that family turmoil was hidden, and to most who knew him, Dr. Schwartz seemed to have a beautiful life until the evening of May 28, 2014, when Becky Schwartz came home and discovered her home in disarray. "Who do you think did? [7][14] In November 2003, Schwartz was placed on five years' probation by the Arizona Medical Board for "unprofessional conduct. "And I'm thinkin', 'He couldn't have done anything. She's about five standard deviations off the left side," said Patton. In addition, the 57-year-old Virginia Biotechnology Association was founded by him. I'm leaving,'" said Dyer. What Happened In Celina Petersen South Park Murder Case? In 2007, the Arizona Supreme Court officially disbarred her for her connection to the drug case. She will be formally sentenced Jan. 21. While the homicide investigation document listed Becky Schwartz as a suspect, she has never been charged with anything related to her husband's murder. "Was there money involved in this? You add all that up, and you've got yourself a murder suspect," Van Sant remarked. Defense attorneys said the game was only an escape for a girl with a sad social life. "I make mistake. "And her boat name was 'Exit Strategy.' [3], Prosecuting attorney Sylvia Lafferty pointed to Schwartz's cell phone records, which showed that he received calls from a payphone at a Denny's across the street from Stidham's office. Becky's son, Ben, had ongoing drug issues, according to Carter. Nor did she understand what she learned about Becky from a Google search. The Christopher Hoefling Murder -The 2017 murder of Christopher Hoefling in Evansville, Indiana is the topic of theInvestigation Discoverydocumentary series"The Murder Tapes" Season 7 Episode Lauren Harpe From Survivor 44 -Since its debut in 2000, 'Survivor' has become one of the most popular television programs ever. And, deVlaming points out, even Stragaj's alibi was shot down by police, who checked his cell phone records. Besides his medical practice, he owned a vast array of rental properties and lived in an expensive waterfront home with his second wife, Becky. Today, Dyer is an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Youngstown State University in Ohio. "They've got to trash her. She's in a new state starting a new life with a new man. WebLEESBURG, Va. A former college student was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder for enlisting a friend to kill her scientist father with a sword. He's obviously dead -- right?" "No -- not as I recall," Stragaj replied. The wrongful death lawsuit claims their stepmother and Stragaj conspired to murder Schwartz, whose estate is worth at least $10 million, for financial gain. The lawsuit also claims that Becky Schwartz was embezzling funds from her husbands medical practice. I build from scratch," he explained. [3], The investigation eventually revealed that Schwartz hired Bigger for $10,000 to help him murder Stidham. Schwartz moved to Italy, where he earned a medical degree. Clara was the youngest of Roberts three children; she had an older brother and sister. Robert was allegedly planned to make sure she didnt come back, according to her. And after he found the body, Leo Stragaj made what he says was the biggest mistake of his life. WebIn 1961, 21-year-old Steven Schwartz robbed and murdered a dentist in Hobbs, New Mexico. [3] Schwartz's trial lasted two months, and it took the jury five days to deliver a verdict. [3][20] Bigger's appeal suggested that he was not afforded a fair trial on account of the copious amount of media coverage surrounding the case. "Would you look out and see, 'All this money is going to Rebecca and her children. The 81-year-old victim, an email from police said, gave Lola Stragaj power of attorney over her estate and then added her into her will. [7] Schwartz initially pleaded guilty to the drug charges in 2003; however, the plea was withdrawn in early 2004. WebThe Perfect Murder examines the brutal and bizarre killing of scientist Robert Schwartz, who was murdered in his own home. Schwartz has been in jail since her arrest in February on the campus of James Madison University, where she was a student. In December 2001, however, tragedy befell the Schwartz family. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. He discovered a scientist who had been brutally murdered inside. Van Sant asked Carter Schwartz. Robert Schwartz Murder Case Where is Clara Schwartz Now? And her son goes, 'Mom, are you crazy? Becky Schwartz wouldn't speak with "48 Hours." Robert was stabbed and slashed more than thirty times and had an X carved on his back. "Now, you tell me; what kind of person does that?" Robert Schwartz, 57, was found dead in his home Dec. 12. "You are telling me that Rebecca Schwartz asked you to find someone to murder her husband," Van Sant queried. WebOn the night of the murder, Schwartz was with Lisa Goldberg, a girlfriend he had recently begun seeing after meeting her on an online dating service. Ten months after the murder Leo Stragaj was arrested, but police kept looking for evidence. No trial date has been set for Leo Tragaj's murder trial. Comprehensive pain management for Greenville, SC & surrounding areas. [20], Attorneys for Schwartz and Bigger filed appeals almost immediately after sentencing. "I had nothing against the man. "I loved Dr. Schwartz," he told Van Sant. "We sort of learned to coexist," said Carter. In the same game, there also existed a character named Old Guy that signified Robert. So I had no hate for him. First published on July 29, 2017 / 11:25 PM. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. WebIn 2016, Schwartzs adult children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Rebecca Schwartz and Stragaj, claiming they conspired to kill the doctor. I'll ruin your reputation. Van Sant asked. Then, in August 2001, she began dating Patrick House, who later testified against her at trial. "Did you get along with her children?" And big money. "Dad was always a role model to me and what I've always told everyone, 'If I could be half the physician he was, that would be a successful life," Carter Schwartz told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. Robert has an X engraved on his back after being stabbed and slashed more than thirty times. Van Sant asked. Victim Brian Stidham left behind I'm sure she planned it for a long time.". Only later did I find out she held a private funeral or service, if you would, at -- at the house to which I was not invited," said Carter. "Well, that's one possibility," he replied. She probably wasn't the one who pulled the trigger, but she was behind it all," said Dr. Patton. "A knife," Stragaj replied. Investigation Discoverys The Perfect Murder: The Devil Made Me Do It focuses on how the police zeroed in on four people who had a role to play, which shockingly included Roberts daughter as well. At one point, Schwartz asked House when he really would kill her father, but he never followed through, he testified. But the hard drive had been removed. But as for Dr. Schwartz's dark past. They interviewed Becky and Ben. She even took them on her boat in Florida and one thing stuck in Meredith's mind. There's no way in the world that she could have shot, stabbed and strangled somebody that big," he said. WebRobert was thought to have been murdered two days before he was discovered. Van Sant asked. He said that Clara created a fantasy role-playing game called Underworld, where he played an assassin and a bard. I mean, I -- I regret it all of my life. She went to work for MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. JANGAON : The family of the first-year post-graduate student Dr Dharawath Preethi on Monday alleged that she was in fact murdered in cold blood. "And siphoned to where? When the authorities learned of Roberts brutal murder, they spoke to Clara and her friends. But the robbery of Dr. Cook went terribly wrong. According to Katherine, Clara wanted her father dead and talked about the money she would inherit if that became a reality. Patrick stated that he met Clara in June 2001 at a festival in Leesburg, Virginia. Meredith says Becky's lying was soon followed by betrayal. "Steve was your classic gentle giant a guy who had the heart of a bear," Dr. Patton said. DeVlaming denies Stragaj's claims that Becky ever asked him to kill Schwartz or his son, Carter. [26], Brian Stidham's widow, Daphne Stidham, filed a wrongful death suit in 2005 against the medical complex where her husband was murdered, alleging that the conditions at the complex aided the killer. They looked into his family first and soon learned of his youngest Van Sant asked. Booking photos courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail. She had credit cards that were only in her name, anything basically my dad couldn't get a hold of," Carter replied. Stragaj also claims she threatened him. By Express News Service. "I figure that's why Schwartz went there, to rob him.". Patrick further stated that Clara showed him her journal entries where she talked about Roberts alleged abuse and attempts to poison her. [23], Schwartz has repeatedly made headlines since his imprisonment. "She goes, 'Listen, I want I I -- I want you to find somebody to kill Carter Schwartz --" said Stragaj. "Every single night, seven days a week, we were together.". "All these things that we're talking about would never have come to light if it wasn't for money. She planned it. Robert Schwartzs untimely death was ultimately the result of a cunning plot to have him killed. But with a blended family came problems. "Iwell, I told you I don't -- I know what I did. It was a horrific incident. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Cook in his New Mexico office. I had no revenge or nothing.". But Stragaj insists he didn't do itthat Becky was the culprit. Stragaj says when he picked up the handbag he saw a knife inside. I didn't kill their father. Van Sant asked Carter. [3] Stidham officially served as Schwartz's associate until October 2002,[17] when Schwartz was indicted on drug fraud charges. WebThats until the beloved doctor, 74-year-old Steven Schwartz, was found murdered in the couple's sprawling waterfront Tarpon Springs home. "I thought always thought a lot of him, and I want that gun. Wil Florin: When did you first start -- this is her own son you're -- and that -- that you're concerned -- your husband -- that his mother is setting him up for the murder? Stragaj says he has an alibi and insists he is not the killer. WebMurder On December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. "I was there. By February 2002, Kyle, Michael, and Katherine were all in custody. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a159b8aee1210a8 After months of testing, investigators made a damning discovery: Stragaj's DNA was on several parts of Dr. Schwartz's clothing. In one of the messages, she said that if Kyle committed the murder, she didnt want it to be traced back to her. Clara allegedly used Kyle to do her will, according to the prosecution. "Did you remove the hard drive from that security camera" Van Sant asked. [22] Bruce Bigger's attorneys felt that the trial should have been moved out of Pima County due to the publicity the case received. One of these phone calls included Bigger repeatedly asking, "Where is my money? And she said, 'No, I'll say it when I'm sober.' Deposition attorney: She walked over to Meredith and leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I wish you would have died.". [28] Although the original case sought $20 million in a claim against the county, Mrs. Stidham settled for $2.29 million in 2007. (She does not face any charges regarding the murder of her husband.). A prominent biophysicist, he had been stabbed multiple times with a 2-foot-long sword. "Drinking the beer at 9:00 a.m. definitely not something". The Perfect Murder: The Devil Made Me Do It focuses on how the police zeroed in on four people who had a role to play, which shockingly included Roberts daughter as well. Clara was convicted of first-degree murder in her father's death. "she didn't have five children.". [3] In March 2004, the conditions of Schwartz and Lopez's release were modified to allow the two to have contact with each other. And according to a video deposition conducted by attorneys Florin and Roebig in the wrongful death lawsuit, Becky allegedly came to deliver a cruel message. They gotta show her as somebody that would participate in the murder, because that's the only way they're gonna profit in this case," he said. "If evil is to the left, good is to the right. WebAt around 11pm on October 5, 2004, a cleaning crew discovered Stidhams body inside his vehicle that was parked in the parking lot of the North First Medical Plaza in Tucson, "In one of the articles, it said she got married in 2010. I mean, that's crazy," Stragaj explained. Clara had also informed Kyle that she would be spending the holidays with her father in the Virgin Islands. Patrick House, a former boyfriend, testified Oct. 8 that he and Schwartz were the primary characters in an elaborate role-playing game she invented called Underworld. Bigger reportedly met up with the two at the restaurant. 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