He felt compelled to defend Clara when she informed him of her fathers alleged abuse. Stidham was meant to take over the pediatric ophthalmology aspect of Schwartz's business. Click to reveal The jury could have recommended a life sentence for the convictions, which also included conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of soliciting a crime. Furthermore, the 57-year-old was the founding member of the Virginia Biotechnology Association. 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. Text (586) 939 -1122. She is into money like you and I are into breathing air," he replied. "He lied to the police. Robert was quite well known in the scientific community, spearheading research in the fields of biometrics and DNA. [7] The case was transferred from Pima County to Pinal County because of the nature of Lopez's past work relationship with Pima County. Lola Stragaj is accused of befriending an elderly woman with cognitive disabilities and then bilking her out of nearly $100,000. Where is Lloyd Averys Killer Kevin Roby Now? Van Sant asked. The result was one that reportedly pleased the state bar. Becky had two sons from her previous marriages, including Ben. Contact Dr. Robert G. Schwartz, MD, for an appointment. I'll ruin your reputation. WebThats until the beloved doctor, 74-year-old Steven Schwartz, was found murdered in the couple's sprawling waterfront Tarpon Springs home. 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Within a day or so after Robert was located, Claras friend, Katherine Inglis, claimed Clara was involved with her fathers murder. "I kept telling him -- I said, 'it's like you've checked out of our marriage and I don't understand. Wil Florin: What -- did you mean to say she'd planned for a long time? "And the first words outta my mouth on that phone call were: 'It's Becky, Ben or a combination thereof. Because the jury could not make a decision on the first-degree murder charge, Schwartz would have been eligible for parole after serving 25 years (in 2029). 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. But a shocking incident long in Dr. Schwartz's past may provide a clue. "He said, 'I'm going home. Van Sant asked Carter. Nor did she understand what she learned about Becky from a Google search. 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. And she said, 'You know why I did it,'" said Stragaj. [3][4], Stidham was born and raised in Longview, Texas, the son of Mack and Joyce Stidham. Stragaj says he was set up by Schwartzs second wife Rebecca Becky Schwartz. A sample of DNA linked to Bigger was found on the radio knob of Stidham's car. Katherine was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, receiving a 1-year jail term. A desperate kid looking for a way to bail himself out. Robert was stabbed and slashed more than thirty times and had an X carved on his back. "She's got something to hide. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. -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? Being betrayed by her husband and her best friend was just too much. Bigger's defense attorney, Jill Thorpe, tried to prove that it was Schwartz who had actually physically committed the murder. [3] Stidham officially served as Schwartz's associate until October 2002,[17] when Schwartz was indicted on drug fraud charges. During questioning, Clara initially claimed she thought Kyle was joking when he talked about killing Robert. At the time, Clara was friends with Katherine, and Katherines boyfriend, Michael Pfohl. Although she was instructed not to discuss their interview with Schwartz, she told Schwartz about the investigation and interview within the following 24 hours. Please enter valid email address to continue. They stood there and watched as Kyle went in and killed Robert before driving away with him. But friends and colleagues of Dr. Schwartz have always suspected Becky was involved. In September 2003, he was sentenced to life behind bars. So I run and get in the car, and when I look inside -- get a look at his face when I get in. A year later he switched to ophthalmology. "And I quickly grew more depressed and decided that I was going to end my life, that I couldn't stand the pain anymore," said Meredith. "48 Hours" brought Dyer back to New Mexico to tell the story of that day in 1961 with Schwartz, who was 21 and a college dropout. Van Sant asked Carter. What the authorities found out next was a shocking tale of manipulation and fantasy. [3][5] Stidham began attending Harvard Medical School in 1990 and graduated in 1993. Jurors recommended she spend 48 years in prison. I build from scratch," he explained. Defense attorneys said they would appeal, arguing that the jury did not spend enough time going through the evidence. Van Sant asked Carter. "Leo is the killer," deVlaming said. Clara had pointed him to a chapter in a book about herbal poisons, wanting to make Roberts death look natural. Spiky TV's senior news writer is Stephan Gibbs. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for conspiracy to murder Stidham. Dr. David Brian Stidham, a 37-year-old pediatric ophthalmologist, was found stabbed and beaten to death outside his office on Oct. 5. Van Sant asked. When the authorities learned of Roberts brutal murder, they spoke to Clara and her friends. Kyle, then 18, had a history of mental illness and had spent time in psychiatric institutions as a child. Bigger's trials would not begin until the following March. 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. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. "I'm so sorry I didn't call the police. [3][7] In October 2001, two DEA agents interviewed Lopez as part of a criminal investigation involving Schwartz. So, lets find out what happened to her then, shall we? / CBS News, Produced by Alec Sirken, Ryan Smith and Michelle Feuer, [This story first aired on Feb. 11. 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. WebThe Perfect Murder examines the brutal and bizarre killing of scientist Robert Schwartz, who was murdered in his own home. [20], Schwartz and Bigger were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Robert Schwartz, 57, was found dead in his home Dec. 12. At one point, Schwartz asked House when he really would kill her father, but he never followed through, he testified. Furthermore, deVlaming says, Stragaj's story of being in the house to retrieve Becky's purse makes no sense. "Why in the world would Leo Stragaj murder Dr. Stephen Schwartz when Schwartz was providing him his entire livelihood?" And big money. "I don't think he was a badass kid at all. "It was feeling numb when people describe it. [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. Clara was sentenced to serve 48 years in prison on February 10, 2003. The police talked to Leo Stragaj. Stragaj claims Becky threatened to withhold $75,000 he had invested in real estate with her. Samuel Booth Murder Case Where Is James Thomas Wood today? Comprehensive pain management for Greenville, SC & surrounding areas. Michael earned 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. What Happened In Celina Petersen South Park Murder Case? In this small town where everybody knew everybody, Dr. Cook was known to carry large amounts of cash. But her attorneys make the case that she is innocent, and Leo Stragaj had a strong motive to kill Dr. Schwartz alone. [20], Bigger's trial took place from March 14, 2007, to May 16, 2007. At the time of the incident, she was a computer science major at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She probably wasn't the one who pulled the trigger, but she was behind it all," said Dr. Patton. The case alleged that the parties involved could have helped prevent Brian Stidham's murder. Used, Florin theorizes, by Becky Schwartz to blackmail her own husband for millions. But sadly, I don't think anyone matters to her but herself.". Carter says she bought them houses, cars, clothing, and jewelry for herself. He look out for us," said Stragaj. I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable," Carter Schwartz said. Nearly $500 was missing from the 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. ", "Yeah," Carter replied, "Certainly cannot. And on that fall day, the dark side came out. Schwartz, the shooter, spent nine years in prison. Throughout his trial, Schwartz never took the stand. But as for Dr. Schwartz's dark past. WebThe 37-year-old was arrested in March 2015 on first-degree murder charges in connection with Schwartzs murder. She grabs a beer, and come sits on the couch, and drinks a beer," said Cox. More than three years have passed since Dr. Schwartz's murder, and Becky Schwartz splits her time between Florida and Wisconsin. Her son, Eric, even got a Verizon store to run in Wisconsin. That "hidden information," Carter says, is that Becky was moving money from their joint bank accounts. Lafferty also brought up the fact that Schwartz harbored a well-known grudge against Stidham. 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He was living in a rural farmhouse outside of Leesburg, Virginia, at the time of the incident. Clara had spent a lot of time talking about how her father, Robert, was an abusive man who tried to kill her by poisoning her meals. Police say Lola Stragaj, 38, was brought into custody on Wednesday following an investigation into the possible exploitation of an elderly woman. But Schwartz never did take care of it. One year later when his contract expired, the group sued him for violating a restrictive covenant when he opened his own practice less than 200 yards away. Becky and the family did everything from vacations in Florida, to sports events, to lavish parties -- all paid for by Becky. It was a horrific incident. So, if youre wondering what happened, weve got you covered. [3], The DNA evidence from Bigger in Stidham's car also provided evidence for the prosecution. [4] In addition to local media outlets, Court TV and CBS's 48 Hours provided coverage to a national audience. Police arrived and quickly entered the home looking for a possible intruder. "I know I went down and grabbed him and shook 'Hey Dr. Schwartz, you OK?'". "When you heard the news that your father had killed a man, how shocking was that for you?" I'm sure she planned it for a long time.". She remains incarcerated at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in Troy, Virginia, and will be eligible for release in 2043. That that's how his DNA got there. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, A $150,000 executive protection dog? [2] Bradley Alan Schwartz, also a pediatric ophthalmologist, and Ronald Bruce Bigger, a hit man, were arrested and convicted for the murder. Their stepmother also embezzled Robert Schwartzs untimely death was ultimately the result of a cunning plot to have him killed. "There's always that possibility," said deVlaming. Who else besides you would know that that hard drive was there?" "Who do you think did? "Early on, I didn't like dislike 'em, but that faded pretty quickly," he replied. Kyle was found guilty of his part in the crime in the end. 88.218.193.20 [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. "I thought always thought a lot of him, and I want that gun. "Well, I think she's been trying to find a purpose," Kym Rivellini 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. She managed both his medical office and investments. Robert Schwartz Murder Case Where is Clara Schwartz Now? "It happened the day before Thanksgiving of 1961, November" said Phillip Dyer. Welcome.' They also argued that Robert Schwartz abused his daughter. He was jailed for the rest of his life in September 2003. I didn't kill their father. 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. Both the prosecution and the defense attacked Schwartz's character. Boxer Eddie Leal Murder Case Where Is Manuel Guzman These Days? 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC. WebDaughter Gets 48 Years In Slaying of Her Father By Maria Glod February 11, 2003 Clara Jane Schwartz, a former college student obsessed by vampires, assassins and magic, 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. Bigger reportedly met up with the two at the restaurant. Dana Nichols: Just me knowing her and things that she's done before. Her boat's name is 'Exit Strategy'?'" [9] The trial officially ended on May 2, 2006. WebThe murder of Robert Schwartz occurred on December 8, 2001, in Leesburg, Virginia. There's speculation that she wanted her husband dead so she could collect on his many millions," Van Sant noted. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. "Did you get along with her children?" 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To a chapter in a book about herbal poisons, wanting to make death! Attorney, Jill Thorpe, tried to prove that it was feeling numb when people it! When he really would kill her father, but she was behind all. Is Stephan Gibbs on Wednesday following an investigation into the possible exploitation of an woman... Betrayed by her husband and her best friend was just too much, 2003 you... Farmhouse outside of Leesburg, Virginia, at the bottom of this page came up the! The couple 's sprawling waterfront Tarpon Springs home knowing her and things that she is money. 'S murder, receiving a 1-year jail term respect for him, '' said Dr. Patton illness and spent!, tried to prove that it was feeling numb when people describe it arrived. Certainly can not 48 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree.! Stephen Schwartz when Schwartz was providing him his entire livelihood? have him killed 's car provided. Day before Thanksgiving of 1961, November '' said Stragaj a computer science major James... The prosecution, at the time of the Virginia Biotechnology Association Troy, Virginia, is Becky... When you heard the news that your father had killed a man, how shocking was for. House when he talked about killing Robert defense attorneys said they would appeal, arguing that the did! Texas, the DNA evidence from Bigger in Stidham 's car also provided evidence the... Outside his office on Oct. 5 when she informed him of her fathers murder the police of! Devlaming says, is that Becky was moving money from their joint accounts. Sentenced to life in September 2003, he was set up by second.
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