Friends said Schwartz's wife died of cancer several years ago and their three children are away at college. 911 Operator: Tarpon Springs Police may I help you? "Dr. Schwartz's son," Van Sant interrupted. " "He lied to the police. Dana says Ben has gotten past his drug problems and the two of them have settled down with their daughter, Kendall. Ben is not named in the lawsuit and there have been no criminal charges filed against him in the murder. And Dr. Schwartz had become very wealthy worth somewhere between $20 and 30 million. "I heard the door open. "I said, 'What did you do,' right away. He's obviously dead -- right?" Meredith says Becky's lying was soon followed by betrayal. Van Sant asked. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. ID 106 Death by Fame: Life Imitates Art Lloyd Avery and His Victims, Wreck Season 1 Recap and Ending, Explained, Lauren Harpe From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carolyn Wiger From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carson Garrett From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Keto Diet Questions And Answers, Big Brother Season 23 Episode 13 Release Date & Spoiler. Van Sant asked. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. I read plans. "Did you remove the hard drive from that security camera" Van Sant asked. Dyer wasn't even sure Schwartz was really going go through with it, until he pulled out a gun. He was taken away with such haste that his shirt was on backwards. Defense attorneys said they would appeal, arguing that the jury did not spend enough time going through the evidence. "Said, 'No, you'll have to shoot me. At the time, Clara was friends with Katherine, and Katherines boyfriend, Michael Pfohl. But later on, it was clear she meant killing her father in real life. [22], Schwartz's ex-fiancee, Lourdes Lopez, who resigned as prosecutor after being indicted in federal court, continued to work as a defense attorney after disciplinary action had taken place. WebWhen Robert Schwartz was found murdered at his home in 2001, investigators had reason to believe the attack was targeted. 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? "No -- not as I recall," Stragaj replied. I admit I was there, but I didn't kill Dr. Schwartz," he said. 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC. Carter says she bought them houses, cars, clothing, and jewelry for herself. "And I'm thinkin', 'He couldn't have done anything. DeVlaming denies Stragaj's claims that Becky ever asked him to kill Schwartz or his son, Carter. Becky Schwartz wouldn't speak with "48 Hours." The two former criminals pledged to spend the rest of their lives atoning for their terrible act. "I figure that's why Schwartz went there, to rob him.". I think now I can relate to what they mean by that -- just a feeling of helplessness," Carter replied. You know, 'I gotta pay this guy. "I'd see him on the street from time to time and he'd always ask me, 'How you doin'? In this small town where everybody knew everybody, Dr. Cook was known to carry large amounts of cash. Leo Stragaj admits he never implicated Becky until the day he was arrested. There's speculation that she wanted her husband dead so she could collect on his many millions," Van Sant noted. "'And if you say anything, you're never gonna see a house or you're never gonna see a penny,'" said Stragaj. [3] Schwartz's trial lasted two months, and it took the jury five days to deliver a verdict. He, along with attorney Brick Storts, attempted to sue the state of Arizona for $750,000. Where is Lloyd Averys Killer Kevin Roby Now? And that became a problem for Carter. "He was just a good dentist and a good -- become a good friend,' Cecil continued. Your own children will learn that you are a murderer,'" Van Sant asked Florin. I'm not the man," he said. [7] Stidham was officially hired in November 2001 partly as a way to provide added support to Schwartz's booming business. "I know I went down and grabbed him and shook 'Hey Dr. Schwartz, you OK?'". They waited as Kyle went in and killed Robert and drove away with him after that. [7][11] He graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine[12] in 1991, and married Joan Samuels in New York City four days after his graduation. She grabs a beer, and come sits on the couch, and drinks a beer," said Cox. While the homicide investigation document listed Becky Schwartz as a suspect, she has never been charged with anything related to her husband's murder. Her son, Eric, even got a Verizon store to run in Wisconsin. During questioning, Clara initially claimed she thought Kyle was joking when he talked about killing Robert. According to Leo Stragaj, Becky even wanted Carter out of the picture. The death of a distinguished scientist in his secluded farmhouse prompted a lengthy inquiry by the authorities. By Express News Service. [3] In March 2004, the conditions of Schwartz and Lopez's release were modified to allow the two to have contact with each other. But with a blended family came problems. She set me up. [20], Schwartz and Bigger were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Schwartz, a prominent local nephrologist, was found dead in his Tarpon Springs mansion in May 2014 after his wife Rebecca Schwartz reported a robbery. "Becky took his extended family on an Alaskan cruise that lasted a couple weeks with Dr. Schwartz's money. Nearly $500 was missing from the 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. As Meredith lay recovering in the hospital from her suicide attempt with prescription drugs, she had a surprise visitor: Becky. Bigger's defense attorney, Jill Thorpe, tried to prove that it was Schwartz who had actually physically committed the murder. And to this day, Cecil has the gun Schwartz used to murder Dr. Cook. One of these phone calls included Bigger repeatedly asking, "Where is my money? She went to work for MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. But still, I can't see Leo hurting Dr. Schwartz. "And he said, 'Let me borrow $300 outta your paycheck.' '", "Becky has lied about her children," Meredith said. Ex-Girlfriend Speaks Out", "Murdered: a popular young doctor lay dead, the prime suspect: a fellow physician", "Before a Hearing Officer of the Supreme Court of Arizona", "Doctor was killed in his car, though it was found miles from body", "Jurors: Hit man duped into murdering doctor", "Does the name 'Brad Schwartz' ring a bell? Nor did she understand what she learned about Becky from a Google search. "Well, I think she's been trying to find a purpose," Kym Rivellini said. The nature of the phone discussions had changed over the course of the night. But one thing, I didn't kill their father. "The person that benefitted was Becky Schwartz and the people that she deems worthy of giving away Dr. Schwartz's money to. "She said, 'I had a little fight with Dr. Schwartz. "And in Wisconsin, does she just live a quiet life now?" So, if youre wondering what happened, weve got you covered. "I'm so sorry I didn't call the police. "Rebecca handles the business and she called me 'son' for four years," he said. WebLike many of the criminals featured on Forensic Files, the men who murdered Dr. Brian Stidham obviously didnt watch the show often enough. Clara and Katherine had met while the former was in her senior year in high school. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Schwartz introduced him to Goldberg as "Bruce. Its hard enough it was my father, but on top of that to have my sister committing such a horrible crime. In February 2003, then 20 years old, Clara was sentenced to serve 48 years behind bars. She is into money like you and I are into breathing air," he replied. Clara played the overlord, Lord Chaos, and House acted as an assassin assigned to kill Old Guy -- Clara Schwartzs father. A Loudoun County [2] Bradley Alan Schwartz, also a pediatric ophthalmologist, and Ronald Bruce Bigger, a hit man, were arrested and convicted for the murder. Schwartz, Dyer says, may have had some gambling debts to pay off. Furthermore, Clara had also told Kyle that she was going on a trip to the Virgin Islands for Christmas with her father. But absurd took on a new meaning with Becky after a tragic car accident 30 years ago that killed her 2-year-old son, Christopher. "Is she still a person of interest in this case?" "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. I was scared," he said. But Stragaj insists he didn't do itthat Becky was the culprit. So, if youre curious about what transpired, dont worry. Leo Stragaj adamantly denies he killed Dr. Schwartz. She alleged that Robert was planning on making sure she did not come back. Kyle later stated that he had to do something once Clara told him about that. She had nothing to do with the murder itself," said deVlaming. The crime was orchestrated by his 20-year-old daughter, Clara Jane Schwartz, as part of a fantasy role-playing game. So I run and get in the car, and when I look inside -- get a look at his face when I get in. "She goes, 'Listen, I want I I -- I want you to find somebody to kill Carter Schwartz --" said Stragaj. Boxer Eddie Leal Murder Case Where Is Manuel Guzman These Days? WebThe Perfect Murder examines the brutal and bizarre killing of scientist Robert Schwartz, who was murdered in his own home. I mean, I -- I regret it all of my life. When Kyle was apprehended, he gave a complete confession to the police, claiming that he killed Clara because he believed Robert was abusing her. [8] Early on, Storts suggested that the attorney-client relationship between Schwartz and Lopez precluded the case from going to trial. "But is the suggestion -- the possibility that Rebecca Schwartz may have said to him, 'If you don't transfer everything in the estate over to me, I will make this deep dark secret public. And he was going to be replaced with somebody far less expensive," deVlaming replied. "A kitchen knife -- a large kitchen knife?" Becky got five years probation and had to pay back the money she stole. David Brian Stidham (August 13, 1967 October 5, 2004)[1] was a pediatric ophthalmologist stabbed to death in Catalina Foothills, Arizona as the result of a murder-for-hire plot that stemmed from a colleague's professional jealousy. She's about five standard deviations off the left side," said Patton. Soon, they were led to his youngest daughter, Clara Schwartz, who seemed to be at the center of it all. Not only her husband who is 16 years younger than Beckybut her teenaged daughter moved in with Becky as well, after Becky lavished her with attention and gifts, Meredith says. "Your DNA was on the victim. [24][25] Another inmate was convicted of aggravated assault for beating up Schwartz. "One of, if not the worst moment of my life," said Carter. Rebecca Schwartz: I walked in the bedroom, into the closet and all the drawers were opened. Van Sant asked. "They've got to trash her. Doctor Schwartz had a thriving practice as a kidney specialist in Tampa, Florida. He faces a charge of first-degree murder in the slaying of Dr. Steven Patlin Schwartz, a 74-year-old doctor found dead inside his Tarpon Springs mansion in 2014. Schwartz moved to Italy, where he earned a medical degree. '", Carter also struggled with Becky. Samuel Booth Murder Case Where Is James Thomas Wood today? "I've never seen him move so quickly and he was a man who he could have the biggest argument in the world with you but he was very professional," Carter replied. Jurors recommended she spend 48 years in prison. And that he was the killer," said deVlaming. Defense attorneys said the game was only an escape for a girl with a sad social life. 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. He then moved to Dallas, Texas where he entered a residency program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School's internal medicine department. 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. There was a potential eyewitness of sorts -- the elaborate security camera system in the mansion -- something only Stragaj, Becky and family members knew about. After all was said and done, Kyle was convicted guilty of his role in the crime. 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. When Robert Schwartz was found murdered at his home in 2001, investigators had reason to believe the attack was targeted. "I thought always thought a lot of him, and I want that gun. Their first child, Alexandre Brian, was born in Houston in 2000. 48 Hours airs Fridays at 9pm and 10pm on CBS. "I loved Dr. Schwartz," he told Van Sant. She even changed her name to Schwartz -- though they didn't actually marry until 2012. It's too -- hasn't been long enough to do anything.' Kyle later indicated that after Clara informed him of the situation, he felt compelled to take action. Becky was convicted of embezzling from Mothers Against Drunk Driving -- more than $12,000, she used to buy a car and a boat for herself. However, the two had already been seeing each other and were even engaged to be married. ", And strangely, Becky never wanted a memorial service. Stickers Available To Alert Responders To People With Special Needs, Pinellas African American Heritage Celebration Set For Feb. 25, An Amazingly Kind Soul: FL Star Student, Ross Hosts Fundraiser For Boys & Girls Club, Social Security Seminar at Countryside Recreation Center, Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Largo Community Center, Shen Yun Classical Dance with Live Orchestra, Proven Strategies for the Care of Aging People, FL Democratic Party Would Be Eliminated Under Proposed Law, Extorting Nude Photos From Minor Leads to 19-Year-Old's Arrest: Police, 2023 Hurricane, Tropical Storm Names Released For Atlantic Season, FL Man AKA Sedition Panda Charged In Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Breach: DOJ. Patrick further stated that Clara showed him her journal entries where she talked about Roberts alleged abuse and attempts to poison her. [9] The trial officially ended on May 2, 2006. It's absolutely laughably ridiculous," said deVlaming. Van Sant asked. "Why would he do that?" WebAs a 22-year-old pre-med student dropout in 1961, Schwartz (and others) robbed and killed a dentist, Dr. V.G. "Yeah, that was definitely not normal," said Olive. " Van Sant asked. "Leo is the killer," deVlaming said. "He never lost sight of paying back his debt to society. Can you go and grab my bag, please? "I think most of us that were involved, that it was a horrendous, despicable and deplorable act," said Dyer. 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. 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. Chances are its in Pasadena, 12 reasons why Sycamore Avenue is L.A.s coolest new hangout, Sirhan Sirhan, convicted of killing Robert F. Kennedy, denied parole by California board, Many still stranded in San Bernardino Mountains as snow blocks roads, threatens roofs, Suspected shooter in attacks on Jewish men was on FBIs radar, LAPD chief says, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines, Woman arrested in stabbing death of her mother at their Lake Forest home. In fact, according to a police document, one of Schwartz's office workers called police to say: "Rebecca was blackmailing Dr. Schwartz by withholding information that could ruin his career.". Joseph Schwartz feels very fortunate to have been providing outstanding care in Northwest Indiana since 1994. -In the 1991 film "Boyz N the Hood," actor Lloyd Avery made his acting debut as a member of Robert Schwartz Murder Case Where Are His Killers Now? And we've alleged that Leo and Becky conspired to murder him," said Roebig. But a shocking incident long in Dr. Schwartz's past may provide a clue. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. I build from scratch," he explained. The police took his statement. The Perfect Murder examines the brutal and bizarre killing of scientist Robert Schwartz, who was murdered in his own home. IDs The Murder Tapes Help 712 Ive Been Shot Christopher Hoefling Murder. WebMurder On December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. [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. Partly as a kidney specialist in Tampa, Florida says Ben has gotten past drug. Murder Tapes help 712 Ive been Shot Christopher Hoefling murder 2-year-old son, Eric, even a. Store to run in Wisconsin been seeing each other and were even engaged to be the. 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