Carter says she bought them houses, cars, clothing, and jewelry for herself. Kyle, then 18, had a history of mental illness and had spent time in psychiatric institutions as a child. "I didn't even know about it until after his death.". "And in Wisconsin, does she just live a quiet life now?" Stragaj says he immediately knew Becky was behind the killing because, he claims, six months earlier, she asked if he could arrange to have her husband killed. It was updated on July 29.]. Robert Schwartzs untimely death was ultimately the result of a cunning plot to have him killed. "And why would she want you dead?" Their daughter, Catherine Elizabeth, was born later in Tucson in 2003. Her boat's name is 'Exit Strategy'?'" [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. "I liked Steven. And Becky seduced her new boyfriend with expensive gifts, too. [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. Stragaj says he has an alibi and insists he is not the killer. On May 13th, 1944, Robert was born. Nearly $500 was missing from the [12] This occurred shortly after the Arizona Medical Board had reinstated Schwartz's license in August 2003. Text (586) 939 -1122. So I had no hate for him. WebRobert was thought to have been murdered two days before he was discovered. IDs The Murder Tapes Help 712 Ive Been Shot Christopher Hoefling Murder. He then moved to Dallas, Texas where he entered a residency program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School's internal medicine department. I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable," Carter Schwartz said. Both men also pleaded "not guilty. Dana says she and others believe Becky had to be involved in Dr. Schwartz's murder: Dana Nichols: The only thing I can think is that she shot him first. There's no way in the world that she could have shot, stabbed and strangled somebody that big," he said. Schwartz was a tall, handsome kid from New York, the son of a doctor. 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. But tragedy struck the Schwartz family in December 2001. She's in a new state starting a new life with a new man. But later on, it was clear she meant killing her father in real life. Nevertheless, the jury found Bigger guilty of both conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and first-degree murder itself. 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. 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. "And I don't recall there being a lot of conversation. Investigators later learned that Michael, then 21, and Katherine, then 19, drove Kyle to Roberts house on December 8, 2001. "Dr. Schwartz's son," Van Sant interrupted. " "The boyfriend has had a plane bought for him," Florin explained. I forgot my bag,'" said Stragaj. And I think that -- I think that Leo Stragaj believed that his time with the Schwartzes was limited. 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. 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Your own children will learn that you are a murderer,'" Van Sant asked Florin. 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. Stragaj is also believed to have moved the victim's money to new accounts and is suspected of spending the victims money on herself, filing fraudulent tax returns in the victim's name, as well as pawning and selling the victim's deceased husband's jewelry, the email said. She managed both his medical office and investments. I read plans. [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. That," he replied. And that he was the killer," said deVlaming. A sample of DNA linked to Bigger was found on the radio knob of Stidham's car. "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. [11] Some of Schwartz's patients went to Stidham's new practice, many of whom stayed with Stidham even when Schwartz had started practicing again. Kyle, who was 18 at the time, had a history of mental illness and had previously spent time in psychiatric facilities. [2] Bradley Alan Schwartz, also a pediatric ophthalmologist, and Ronald Bruce Bigger, a hit man, were arrested and convicted for the murder. [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. Lourdes Lopez, Barbara LaWall, and Pima County were dismissed from the suit as part of the settlement. [7][12] A Phoenix-based ophthalmology group had hired Schwartz to open an office in Tucson. After her husband was murdered, Becky Schwartz sold the medical practice and decided to start a new life, moving from sunny Florida to the tiny, snowbound town of Winneconne, Wisconsin, near where her son, Eric, was running his Verizon store. 88.218.193.20 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. Welcome.' Fax (586) 939 -9328. email Staff@DrSchwartzOptometrist.com Van Sant asked. "[13], From early 2001 to May 2004, Schwartz was involved in a romantic relationship with the foster mother of one of his patients, Pima County deputy attorney Lourdes Salomon Lopez. [5], Bradley Alan Schwartz was born January 14, 1965[10] in Brooklyn, New York to Henry and Lois Schwartz. The nature of the crime shocked many, and the murder weapon was believed to be a 27-inch sword. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Robert Schwartzs tragic death was the consequence of a well-planned murder attempt. Instead, they found Dr. Schwartz in a pool of blood. 911 Operator: Tarpon Springs Police may I help you? Please enter valid email address to continue. Robert was a well-known scientist who pioneered biometrics and DNA studies. "It all points to her. I said, 'That's impossible.' Comprehensive pain management for Greenville, SC & surrounding areas. Rivellini and Denis deVlaming are Becky's criminal attorneys, hired to defend her against any possible future charges . I mean, I don't think any of us were, really," said Dyer. "He lied to the police. "And then staged the scene to look like a burglary?" "I didn't have the -- you know, the green card, the nothing.". All-- those statements are false," deVlaming told Van Sant. "I know I went down and grabbed him and shook 'Hey Dr. Schwartz, you OK?'". I loved the man," Stragaj said. "He never lost sight of paying back his debt to society. They also had witnesses state how she talked about the money she stood to gain once Robert died. Van Sant asked. They looked into his family first and soon learned of his youngest daughter, Clara. "He was just a good dentist and a good -- become a good friend,' Cecil continued. "I seen, like, jewelry boxes and one knife on the bag," said Stragaj. From jail, Schwartz pleaded with Lourdes Lopez, his former lover, to be his attorney, but she refused. [3] Other reports suggest that Schwartz was planning to open a plastic surgery practice[8] or, at least, another office on the north side of the city. His body was discovered two days later. "Is she worried or afraid that she'll be arrested for the murder of her husband? "I believe that both Leo Stragaj and Rebecca Schwartz were involved in his murder and caused his death on that date," said Carter Schwartz. Their trials are set for early next year. [12] When he received word that Stidham was still recruiting patients, Schwartz became angry and even directly told his girlfriend, Lourdes Lopez, and other friends that he wanted to kill Stidham. "I didn't know," Stragaj said. [14] In December 2001, DEA agents raided Schwartz's office. [3][18] Schwartz was the case's primary suspect from October 6 onward, the day after Stidham's murder. The murder? "I would say that's a very accurate statement," Carter replied. Leo Stragaj admits he never implicated Becky until the day he was arrested. Becky's son, Ben, had ongoing drug issues, according to Carter. She set me up. Robert Schwartz, 57, was found dead in his home Dec. 12. "[5] After some delay, the trial for Schwartz began in March 2006. He's obviously dead -- right?" Schwartz.". "I think I was preyed on by the most calculated, malicious, vindictive, pathological liar of a woman I have ever met in my entire life," she said. When Clara told him about her fathers alleged abusive behavior, he believed he had to protect her. Schwartz began to reassure Bigger that he had his money. WebDr. The authorities believed Robert was killed about two days before being found. Carter wants justice for a father whose life started and ended so badly, but who lived the long middle dedicated to others. [3], On the evening of October 5, 2004, deputies of the Pima County Sheriffs Department responded to a report of a man down in the parking lot of the North First Medical Plaza where Stidham worked. Dr. Schwartz is six foot three. Stragaj says he was set up by Schwartzs second wife Rebecca Becky Schwartz. Throughout his trial, Schwartz never took the stand. -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? On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. WebIn 2016, Schwartzs adult children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Rebecca Schwartz and Stragaj, claiming they conspired to kill the doctor. Police aren't talking because the case is still open. After all was said and done, Kyle was convicted guilty of his role in the crime. Three days after ", "Ultimately, I think Becky's motive was to buy -- into our family," Meredith said. Van Sant asked. This looks bad," Van Sant pointed out. Lafferty also brought up the fact that Schwartz harbored a well-known grudge against Stidham. Hulbert and Michael P. Pfohl, who is accused of driving Hulbert to the Schwartz house, each is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. As per the Tv9 Telugu, the orthopedic surgeon took the extreme step due to a family dispute, reports said. "And is there still a possibility there could be an arrest?" "What do you do, stuck in an airport?" Clara and Katherine had met while the former was in her senior year in high school. On Wednesday, December 12th the Washington Post reported: WebAs a 22-year-old pre-med student dropout in 1961, Schwartz (and others) robbed and killed a dentist, Dr. V.G. Rebecca Schwartz: I walked in the bedroom, into the closet and all the drawers were opened. That that's how his DNA got there. "Early on, I didn't like dislike 'em, but that faded pretty quickly," he replied. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. To say Steven Schwartz's life was extraordinary, as his son, Carter, does, is an understatement. [3][7], The relationship between Brian Stidham and Bradley Schwartz began to deteriorate soon after Stidham was hired in November 2001. Besides his medical practice, he owned a vast array of rental properties and lived in an expensive waterfront home with his second wife, Becky. "You are telling me that Rebecca Schwartz asked you to find someone to murder her husband," Van Sant queried. So, lets find out what happened to her then, shall we? 48 Hours airs Fridays at 9pm and 10pm on CBS. LaWall even testified that if Skitzki or Lopez had come forward sooner, Dr. Stidham would still be alive. Prosecutors allege that Hulbert wasnt the only person Schwartz asked to kill her father. "Your DNA was on the victim. "My theory is that Dr. Schwartz was gonna retire. So who killed Dr. Schwartz? Quiet is not a word a Wisconsin woman named Meredith would use to describe her former best friend, Becky. As Meredith lay recovering in the hospital from her suicide attempt with prescription drugs, she had a surprise visitor: Becky. But still, I can't see Leo hurting Dr. Schwartz. "I figure that's why Schwartz went there, to rob him.". The car was later found at an apartment complex over six miles away. [3][14] Schwartz had also developed a drug problem that began in 2000 when he received Vicodin for chronic back[3] and jaw pain. And on that fall day, the dark side came out. Furthermore, Clara had also told Kyle that she was going on a trip to the Virgin Islands for Christmas with her father. "I think you'd have to be willfully ignorant not to see it," he replied. What followed was a startling tale of deception and fantasy, which the authorities discovered. 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? Police say Lola Stragaj, 38, was brought into custody on Wednesday following an investigation into the possible exploitation of an elderly woman. "I'm so sorry I didn't call the police. Carter always believed the main reason Becky was with his father was because she wanted to spend his money. "Rebecca Schwartz," Stragaj said. "I make mistake. [3] Stidham officially served as Schwartz's associate until October 2002,[17] when Schwartz was indicted on drug fraud charges. 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