And he was going to be replaced with somebody far less expensive," deVlaming replied. Booking photos courtesy of the Pinellas County Jail. He was sharp. Although she was instructed not to discuss their interview with Schwartz, she told Schwartz about the investigation and interview within the following 24 hours. '", Carter also struggled with Becky. As per the Tv9 Telugu, the orthopedic surgeon took the extreme step due to a family dispute, reports said. So, lets find out what happened to her then, shall we. And on that fall day, the dark side came out. LARGO, FL While Anton Stragaj awaits trial in the 2014 murder of Tarpon Springs Dr. Steven Schwartz, his wife is now behind bars in the very same jail on unrelated charges. [3][7], The relationship between Brian Stidham and Bradley Schwartz began to deteriorate soon after Stidham was hired in November 2001. Robert was allegedly planned to make sure she didnt come back, according to her. Quiet is not a word a Wisconsin woman named Meredith would use to describe her former best friend, Becky. Clara had also informed Kyle that she would be spending the holidays with her father in the Virgin Islands. Many individuals took the stand, including ex-girlfriends, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, many of whom confirmed that Schwartz often talked about his hatred for Stidham. Becky got five years probation and had to pay back the money she stole. "What do you do, stuck in an airport?" According to Patrick, Clara asked him to kill Old Guy, and he initially thought it was only game-related. "All of those are false. [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. "Can't make this stuff up can you? WebOn December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. And Dr. Schwartz had become very wealthy worth somewhere between $20 and 30 million. But sadly, I don't think anyone matters to her but herself.". During questioning, Clara initially claimed she thought Kyle was joking when he talked about killing Robert. WebThe murder of Robert Schwartz occurred on December 8, 2001, in Leesburg, Virginia. [21] On October 28, Lopez reported that, prior to the murder, she had expressed to Paul Skitzki, a county prosecutor with whom she was on friendly terms, her concerns about what Schwartz might do to Stidham. It's absolutely laughably ridiculous," said deVlaming. It's too -- hasn't been long enough to do anything.' Schwartz has been in jail since her arrest in February on the campus of James Madison University, where she was a student. WebContact Dr. Robert G. Schwartz, MD, for an appointment. And remember, Becky claimed her Florida house had been burglarized. Investigation Discoverys The Perfect Murder: The Devil Made Me Do It focuses on how Clara manipulated three other people into helping with her fathers murder. Van Sant asked. She was being held without bond as of Thursday. Stragaj doesn't deny he was there; he says he discovered the body. WebWhen Robert Schwartz was found murdered at his home in 2001, investigators had reason to believe the attack was targeted. "If evil is to the left, good is to the right. You add all that up, and you've got yourself a murder suspect," Van Sant remarked. [3][7], On 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. Lola Stragaj was booked into the Pinellas County Jail Wednesday, Dec. 14. Your IP: While Patrick never went through with it, she soon found Kyle Hulbert, a man with a history of mental illness, to help her with the plan. [3], The investigation eventually revealed that Schwartz hired Bigger for $10,000 to help him murder Stidham. A year later he switched to ophthalmology. She had credit cards that were only in her name, anything basically my dad couldn't get a hold of," Carter replied. "I kept telling him -- I said, 'it's like you've checked out of our marriage and I don't understand. "Was there blood on the knife?" Their first child, Alexandre Brian, was born in Houston in 2000. And that he was the killer," said deVlaming. And Becky seduced her new boyfriend with expensive gifts, too. He discovered a scientist who had been brutally murdered inside. In September 2003, he was sentenced to life behind bars. [3], The DNA evidence from Bigger in Stidham's car also provided evidence for the prosecution. "he was found many times -- on death's door nearly overdosed and she disowned him," Carter explained. What Happened In Celina Petersen South Park Murder Case? According to the Tampa Bay Times, Dr. Steven Schwartzs brother, James Schwartz, filed suit against her on behalf of the doctors three adult children. "I'd see him on the street from time to time and he'd always ask me, 'How you doin'? Schwartz's cell phone also received calls from Bigger's hotel room, which Schwartz had paid for. She faces one count of exploitation of the elderly and one count of fraudulent use of personal identification, jail records indicate. In this small town where everybody knew everybody, Dr. Cook was known to carry large amounts of cash. Carter says he often needed money. Bigger's defense attorney, Jill Thorpe, tried to prove that it was Schwartz who had actually physically committed the murder. "If I had to describe her, very energetic, southern charm, hospitality, 'Come in. [4] In addition to local media outlets, Court TV and CBS's 48 Hours provided coverage to a national audience. "She said, 'I had a little fight with Dr. Schwartz. The two former criminals pledged to spend the rest of their lives atoning for their terrible act. In 2009, Schwartz claimed to have been attacked numerous times by inmates. She went to work for MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "The boyfriend has had a plane bought for him," Florin explained. "And I don't recall there being a lot of conversation. And then -- and did the rest in a crazy, violent rage, unless Leo helped her finish the job. Schwartz had recruited Dyer to drive him to and from the dentist's office. But tragedy struck the Schwartz family in December 2001. DeVlaming denies Stragaj's claims that Becky ever asked him to kill Schwartz or his son, Carter. They stood there and watched as Kyle went in and killed Robert before driving away with him. Van Sant asked. At one point, Schwartz asked House when he really would kill her father, but he never followed through, he testified. WebThats until the beloved doctor, 74-year-old Steven Schwartz, was found murdered in the couple's sprawling waterfront Tarpon Springs home. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Van Sant asked. "And is there still a possibility there could be an arrest?" [9] In December 2001, one month after Stidham joined the practice, the DEA raided the office and Schwartz was indicted by a federal grand jury on 77 counts of illegally obtaining prescription medicine. And I said, 'Listen, I'm your man for construction, but I don't know what you're lookin' for.' 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. A year after Dr. Steven Schwartz was found shot stabbed and strangled in his waterfront mansion, Leo Stragaj sits in jail. Herattorneys filed a motion to dismiss the suit. 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, His body was discovered two days later. I said, 'That's impossible.' [7][14] In November 2003, Schwartz was placed on five years' probation by the Arizona Medical Board for "unprofessional conduct. But could a shocking incident deep in Dr. Schwartz's past have played a role in his murder? [3], On October 15, police captured Bigger who was hiding just outside Tucson. "Every single night, seven days a week, we were together.". So, lets find out what happened to her then, shall we? "Early on, I didn't like dislike 'em, but that faded pretty quickly," he replied. Her boat's name is 'Exit Strategy'?'" Hulbert, 19, of Millersville, Md., wrote in a confession that he killed Schwartz to protect Clara Schwartz from abuse. 88.218.193.20 Youve been asked to look at the photographs and look at the ugly, savage way Dr. Schwartz was killed in his own home, Basham said. 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. I was scared," he said. [4] Differing reports say his body was found by either a cleaning crew[5] or Christine Rotella, a massage therapist who had returned to the medical plaza to retrieve her forgotten engagement ring. I mean -- he was intelligent. "I wasn't there when he did it, but I can't imagine why, having sober judgment, anyone would do that.". "immigration told me any contact with police will send you back," he told Van Sant. She will be formally sentenced Jan. 21. [20], Bigger's trial took place from March 14, 2007, to May 16, 2007. When I go grab it, I found dead body," Stragaj replied. "Anything I would tell you would be speculation. "The only one that can really answer that question is Dr. Schwartz himself," said Wil Florin. Her son, Eric, even got a Verizon store to run in Wisconsin. July 29, 2017 / 11:25 PM Van Sant asked. But with a blended family came problems. "And greedy, just greedy to the point of it being absurd almost," said Carter Schwartz. "And then staged the scene to look like a burglary?" "Well, I think she's been trying to find a purpose," Kym Rivellini said. "Oh, I imagine he had maybe $1,000 or more at the time on him," Cecil said. I didn't kill their father. "Leo is the killer," deVlaming said. WebThe Perfect Murder examines the brutal and bizarre killing of scientist Robert Schwartz, who was murdered in his own home. Defense attorneys said they would appeal, arguing that the jury did not spend enough time going through the evidence. "Iwell, I told you I don't -- I know what I did. It was a horrific incident. And her son goes, 'Mom, are you crazy? I loved the man," Stragaj said. In an extraordinary moment, Dana, who had remained silent publicly for two years, turns on her own mother-in-law, reading a text message she sent a friend not long after Dr. Schwartz's murder: Dana Nichols (reading aloud in court): "It's crazy how so much of what Becky did all adds up now. "He lied to the police. He was taken away with such haste that his shirt was on backwards. No trial date has been set for Leo Tragaj's murder trial. He's obviously dead -- right?" 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. "Well, that's one possibility," he replied. This spurred Stidham to create his own Tucson-area practice. And if she had somebody else helping her," Stragaj replied. WebAs a 22-year-old pre-med student dropout in 1961, Schwartz (and others) robbed and killed a dentist, Dr. V.G. He never mentioned anything -- anything in his statement to the police about Rebecca Schwartz being in any way responsible for the death of her husband," said DeVlaming. Wreck Season 1 Ending Explained -Ryan J. He was jailed for the rest of his life in September 2003. Lead prosecutors Sylvia Lafferty and Richard Platt also brought in a more sophisticated DNA analysis than the one used for the Schwartz trial. Throughout his trial, Schwartz never took the stand. And she was rubbing her hair. 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. Call (586) 939 -1122. WebBack to the United States, and on December 10th, Dr. Robert M. Schwartz was found murdered in Leesberg, Virginia. Schwartz decided to rob a local dentist, Dr. Victor Cook. But they then began to focus on the Schwartz's longtime employee and contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. [28] Although the original case sought $20 million in a claim against the county, Mrs. Stidham settled for $2.29 million in 2007. "There's always that possibility," said deVlaming. Stragaj, who is from Albania, was working in the U.S. without proper legal status. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Wil Florin: You were present, were you not, in the home at the time of Dr. Schwartz's murder and took part in the murder of Dr. Schwartz, did you not? Robert was born on May 13, 1944. Dr. Schwartz was a well-known DNA sequencing researcher. She planned it for a long time," Stragaj replied. By the time he landed back in the States, Carter called his uncle -- certain he knew who killed his father, because it struck him that to Becky, Dr. Schwartz was worth more dead than alive. "And her boat name was 'Exit Strategy.' And that became a problem for Carter. Stragaj says his DNA must have gotten on Schwartz's clothing when he checked the body. "I heard the door open. But Stragaj insists he didn't do itthat Becky was the culprit. Samuel Booth Murder Case Where Is James Thomas Wood today? "Patients, colleagues -- a great career," Van Sant noted. I mean, that's crazy," Stragaj explained. I didn't call the police that day. She's in a new state starting a new life with a new man. 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. Schwartz, a prominent local nephrologist, was found dead in "She's just trying to lay low and find a path.". He said that Clara created a fantasy role-playing game called Underworld, where he played an assassin and a bard. Carter Schwartz was on the way home after travelling in Japan when he got word of his father's murder. The defense argued that the man prosecutors say she asked to commit the crime, Kyle Hulbert, is not mentally stable. Becky was also deposed in that wrongful death suit, but refused to answer any questions from Roebig and Florin. "As I read these stories, you know, he didn't want to give 'em his money," Cecil explained. Leo Stragaj admits he never implicated Becky until the day he was arrested. What followed was a startling tale of deception and fantasy, which the authorities discovered. Dr. Schwartz is six foot three. Tom Roebig, Carter Schwartz' attorney, reasoned. But a shocking incident long in Dr. Schwartz's past may provide a clue. And me and my siblings are kind being left out here.'" While Dyer walked away from his car, Schwartz went ahead with his plan. [8] Early on, Storts suggested that the attorney-client relationship between Schwartz and Lopez precluded the case from going to trial. WebMurder On December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. Meredith says Becky's lying was soon followed by betrayal. "When you heard the news that your father had killed a man, how shocking was that for you?" She probably wasn't the one who pulled the trigger, but she was behind it all," said Dr. Patton. 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. Robert Schwartzs tragic death was the consequence of a well-planned murder attempt. Stragaj says when he picked up the handbag he saw a knife inside. A neighbour stopped by Roberts house on December 10 to see if he was okay because he hadnt turned up for work. The death of a distinguished scientist in his secluded farmhouse prompted a lengthy inquiry by the authorities. Schwartz.". Text (586) 939 -1122. And I was, like, what? "It happened the day before Thanksgiving of 1961, November" said Phillip Dyer. I think he turned it into a positive. 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. "I think he had that drive to somehow make up for the wrong and the pain and the suffering that he caused to Doctor Cook's family, to others in this community -- and I had that same drive as well," said Dyer. She settled that suit for an undisclosed amount. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. When police arrived at his apartment, he was found naked with a woman. "Would you look out and see, 'All this money is going to Rebecca and her children. In addition, the 57-year-old Virginia Biotechnology Association was founded by him. [9] In September 2002, a grand jury issued a 77-count indictment on charges related to Schwartz writing Vicodin and Ritalin prescriptions for two patients (Lopez and Espinoza) who returned the drugs to him for his own use. And big money. Besides his medical practice, he owned a vast array of rental properties and lived in an expensive waterfront home with his second wife, Becky. Three days after Becky and the family did everything from vacations in Florida, to sports events, to lavish parties -- all paid for by Becky. Van Sant asked Carter. But I did notice her, you know, being-- a somewhat of a stressed type of thing, you know, putting her head -- hands on her knees. How's your teeth doin'?'" Police say Lola Stragaj, 38, was brought into custody on Wednesday following an investigation into the possible exploitation of an elderly woman. He founded the Virginia Biotechnology Association where he worked on DNA sequencing for 15 years. [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. At the time of the incident, he lived in a farmhouse away from the city in Leesburg, Virginia. On the morning of December 10, a neighbor went by Roberts home to check on him since he hadnt shown up for work. The Perfect Murder: The Devil Made Me Do It focuses on how Clara manipulated three other people into helping with her fathers murder. [20], Schwartz and Bigger were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Stragaj also felt close to Steven Schwartz. "I figure that's why Schwartz went there, to rob him.". Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Clara had pointed him to a chapter in a book about herbal poisons, wanting to make Roberts death look natural. 911 Operator: Tarpon Springs Police may I help you? "It all points to her. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. "I see Dr. Schwartz and he was facing the wall," he explained. That's one of many unanswered questions. In 2011, Ben was arrested and convicted of stealing jewelry from the Schwartz home. "And in Wisconsin, does she just live a quiet life now?" 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