Meredith, who asked "48 Hours" not use her last name, says she and her husband took Becky in as one of their own, after a chance meeting at a charity event. [23], Schwartz has repeatedly made headlines since his imprisonment. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "I know it was bad. Becky Schwartz: I reassert my rights under Article I Section 9 of the Florida Constitution. [3][5] Stidham began attending Harvard Medical School in 1990 and graduated in 1993. I'm really short and -- and don't tell my mom. 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. "I know I went down and grabbed him and shook 'Hey Dr. Schwartz, you OK?'". Both sentences were eventually commuted and both men later went to college. After all was said and done, Kyle was convicted guilty of his role in the crime. Call (586) 939 -1122. WebThe murder of Robert Schwartz occurred on December 8, 2001, in Leesburg, Virginia. World Expert The sudden murder of a prominent scientist at his secluded farmhouse led the authorities on a complex murder investigation. And he was going to be replaced with somebody far less expensive," deVlaming replied. But when Schwartz's colleagues planned one. Robert was born on May 13, 1944. The crime was orchestrated by his 20-year-old daughter, Clara Jane Schwartz, as part of a fantasy role-playing game. When I go grab it, I found dead body," Stragaj replied. She said she had left the house that morning without her handbag. [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. I forgot my bag,'" said Stragaj. During questioning, Clara initially claimed she thought Kyle was joking when he talked about killing Robert. "Did you remove the hard drive from that security camera" Van Sant asked. A former college student was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder for enlisting a friend to kill her scientist father with a sword. In this small town where everybody knew everybody, Dr. Cook was known to carry large amounts of cash. [22] Bruce Bigger's attorneys felt that the trial should have been moved out of Pima County due to the publicity the case received. Samuel Booth Murder Case Where Is James Thomas Wood today? Stragaj said, "I think she murdered him.". You're not alone", "Conviction upheld in Tucson doctor's slaying", "Schwartz cites prison assaults, sues state", "Inmate Schwartz files claim vs. state, citing four beatings", "Ex-county prosecutor disbarred by state Supreme Court", Bradley Schwart's profile at the Arizona Department of Corrections, Bruce Bigger's profile at the Arizona Department of Corrections, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Brian_Stidham&oldid=1141816162, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 23:39. In September 2003, he was sentenced to life behind bars. Schwartz has been in jail since her arrest in February on the campus of James Madison University, where she was a student. I didn't call the police that day. "I don't think he was a badass kid at all. Schwartz, Dyer says, may have had some gambling debts to pay off. 48 Hours airs Fridays at 9pm and 10pm on CBS. [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. "She said, 'I had a little fight with Dr. Schwartz. Friends said Schwartz's wife died of cancer several years ago and their three children are away at college. Quiet is not a word a Wisconsin woman named Meredith would use to describe her former best friend, Becky. Patrick Olive and April Cox say that around 9 a.m., Becky unexpectedly showed up at their house. "I'm so sorry I didn't call the police.". "We sort of learned to coexist," said Carter. I build from scratch," he explained. I mean, I -- I regret it all of my life. Schwartz had recruited Dyer to drive him to and from the dentist's office. Is-- is this -- drink talk and not -- what was that?' "Dr. Schwartz's son," Van Sant interrupted. " WebWho Killed Robert Schwartz? There was a potential eyewitness of sorts -- the elaborate security camera system in the mansion -- something only Stragaj, Becky and family members knew about. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. And I think that -- I think that Leo Stragaj believed that his time with the Schwartzes was limited. 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. Clara was convicted of first-degree murder in her father's death. On the morning of December 10, a neighbor went by Roberts home to check on him since he hadnt shown up for work. The 37-year-old was arrested in March 2015 on first-degree murder charges in connection with Schwartzs murder. "Why in the world would Leo Stragaj murder Dr. Stephen Schwartz when Schwartz was providing him his entire livelihood?" "And is there still a possibility there could be an arrest?" Even as a young child, I could see she wasn't there because she loved him," he said. When Clara told him about her fathers alleged abusive behavior, he believed he had to protect her. [20] Schwartz was provided with a court-appointed defense attorney named Brick Storts. He took the bag back to Becky that morning and confronted her. And she said, 'No, I'll say it when I'm sober.' Her boat's name is 'Exit Strategy'?'" "My theory is that Dr. Schwartz was gonna retire. 911 Operator: Tarpon Springs Police may I help you? To say Steven Schwartz's life was extraordinary, as his son, Carter, does, is an understatement. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. "A knife," Stragaj replied. DeVlaming says all the evidence points to Leo Stragaj. So I had no hate for him. "There's always that possibility," said deVlaming. And Dr. Schwartz had become very wealthy worth somewhere between $20 and 30 million. Despite the fact that 83% of the jury pool had been exposed to some of the pretrial media, Bigger's appeal was thrown out by the Arizona Court of Appeals in May 2011. 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. "If I had to describe her, very energetic, southern charm, hospitality, 'Come in. "[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. There's no way in the world that she could have shot, stabbed and strangled somebody that big," he said. Schwartz introduced him to Goldberg as "Bruce. But Schwartz never did take care of it. It was a horrific incident. "Here's a guy who's been shot, strangled, blood -- why would you touch him at all to begin with? He was bright. No trial date has been set for Leo Tragaj's murder trial. she said. Police arrived and quickly entered the home looking for a possible intruder. Furthermore, the 57-year-old was the founding member of the Virginia Biotechnology Association. But later on, it was clear she meant killing her father in real life. And remember, Becky claimed her Florida house had been burglarized. Dana says Ben has gotten past his drug problems and the two of them have settled down with their daughter, Kendall. Stidham was meant to take over the pediatric ophthalmology aspect of Schwartz's business. As per the Tv9 Telugu, the orthopedic surgeon took the extreme step due to a family dispute, reports said. Van Sant asked. Stragaj says his DNA must have gotten on Schwartz's clothing when he checked the body. She will be formally sentenced Jan. 21. "That changed my whole life, right there in that point in time," he said. 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? "She goes, 'Listen, I want I I -- I want you to find somebody to kill Carter Schwartz --" said Stragaj. That that's how his DNA got there. Herattorneys filed a motion to dismiss the suit. Van Sant asked. "Yeah, that was definitely not normal," said Olive. " WebMurder On December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. "What does the DNA evidence tell you?" He is still held at the River North Correctional Center in Independence, Virginia, according to records. "[5] After some delay, the trial for Schwartz began in March 2006. But Stragaj insists he didn't do itthat Becky was the culprit. "I said, 'What did you do,' right away. Stragaj, who is from Albania, was working in the U.S. without proper legal status. I mean, that's crazy," Stragaj explained. She stated in one of the messages that she didnt want the murder to be linked to her if Kyle was the perpetrator. Welcome.' [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. He was jailed for the rest of his life in September 2003. The events surrounding the 2004 murder were broadcast on the Investigation Discovery series Solved in October 2008. But could that murder 55 years ago, which had been a closely-guarded secret, have somehow played a role in the murder of Dr. Schwartz? [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. Investigators later learned that Michael, then 21, and Katherine, then 19, drove Kyle to Roberts house on December 8, 2001. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. But friends and colleagues of Dr. Schwartz have always suspected Becky was involved. Stragaj says he worked on all the Schwartz's homes, including the mansion they lived in. Rich L.A. homeowners are snapping them up, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, Looking for your new favorite restaurant? "I'd see him on the street from time to time and he'd always ask me, 'How you doin'? Because unbeknownst to him, his father had already changed his estate plan a year earlier, leaving his entire fortune to Becky and nothing for his own children. I said, 'That's a misprint, because she met her husband in med school in New York 35 years ago. Carter wants justice for a father whose life started and ended so badly, but who lived the long middle dedicated to others. "As I read these stories, you know, he didn't want to give 'em his money," Cecil explained. Money. [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. The car was later found at an apartment complex over six miles away. Nor did she understand what she learned about Becky from a Google search. Doctor Schwartz had a thriving practice as a kidney specialist in Tampa, Florida. Van Sant asked. "No -- not as I recall," Stragaj replied. Victim Brian Stidham left behind That's Becky's daughter in-law, Dana Nichols, who is married to her son, Ben. Becky lavished luxury on herself and her own sons -- paying for their weddings. All-- those statements are false," deVlaming told Van Sant. By then, Clara had talked a lot about how Robert was an abusive father who was out to kill her by trying to poison her food. Pima County paid the entire amount on behalf of Paul Skitzki. When Kyle was apprehended, he gave a complete confession to the police, claiming that he killed Clara because he believed Robert was abusing her. Clara was sentenced to serve 48 years in prison on February 10, 2003. "And the first words outta my mouth on that phone call were: 'It's Becky, Ben or a combination thereof. [7] The case was transferred from Pima County to Pinal County because of the nature of Lopez's past work relationship with Pima County. I wouldn't put anything past her. [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. "I believe that both Leo Stragaj and Rebecca Schwartz were involved in his murder and caused his death on that date," said Carter Schwartz. The prosecution believed that Clara manipulated Kyle to do her bidding. Clara had also informed Kyle that she would be spending the holidays with her father in the Virgin Islands. Katherine later told the police that Clara constantly talked about Robert allegedly poisoning her food, physically abusing her, and how he pulled her underwater in their pool. 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Steve was your classic gentle giant a guy who had the heart of a bear," Dr. Patton said. "This is a woman whose son was killed by a drunk driver. [5][21] Schwartz was with his girlfriend in a public restaurant but there are cell phone records linking Schwartz's cell phone to a convenience store pay phone, where Bigger allegedly visited that evening, and to Bigger's hotel, which was paid for by Schwartz. But one thing, I didn't kill their father. And as time went on, Meredith felt Becky was becoming a little too close to her own husband. A year after Dr. Steven Schwartz was found shot stabbed and strangled in his waterfront mansion, Leo Stragaj sits in jail. Questioned by Florin, Dana suggests Becky staged the burglary to implicate her son, Ben. Soon, they were led to his youngest daughter, Clara Van Sant asked. They started with his family, and Clara Schwartz, his youngest daughter, was discovered In one of the messages, she said that if Kyle committed the murder, she didnt want it to be traced back to her. Money. Handyman, Anton Stragaj, By Express News Service. WebBut 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 Patrick stated that he met Clara in June 2001 at a festival in Leesburg, Virginia. Van Sant asked. I think now I can relate to what they mean by that -- just a feeling of helplessness," Carter replied. "Very," he replied. "All these things that we're talking about would never have come to light if it wasn't for money. And her son goes, 'Mom, are you crazy? Their stepmother also embezzled "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. WebOur Office. Stragaj is not the only one suspicious of Becky Schwartz. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. [9] The trial officially ended on May 2, 2006. "It was well-known that he liked to gamble quite a bit," said Dyer. But tragedy struck the Schwartz family in December 2001. But her one-time friends, April Cox and Patrick Olive, who helped her manage the Schwartz properties, say Becky could also be a tough cookie. But a shocking incident long in Dr. Schwartz's past may provide a clue. "And greedy, just greedy to the point of it being absurd almost," said Carter Schwartz. "I figure that's why Schwartz went there, to rob him.". She remains incarcerated at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in Troy, Virginia, and will be eligible for release in 2043. "I had nothing against the man. "My guess is because I was finding this information out that she had kept hidden for years," he replied. Kyle, then 18, had a history of mental illness and had spent time in psychiatric institutions as a child. When police arrived at his apartment, he was found naked with a woman. Carter says he often needed money. The defense argued that the man prosecutors say she asked to commit the crime, Kyle Hulbert, is not mentally stable. He had been strangled, shot and stabbed. 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. Kyle, Michael, and Katherine had been apprehended by February 2002. "What is the most important thing to Becky Schwartz?" Through a family friend, Ben confirmed that in that conversation he told his mother it was a crazy idea that she shouldn't even joke about. Schwartz, the shooter, spent nine years in prison. I had no revenge or nothing.". Performance & security by Cloudflare. [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. Their trials are set for early next year. "That Leo Stragaj was there at the time of murder. July 29, 2017 / 11:25 PM Lourdes Lopez, Barbara LaWall, and Pima County were dismissed from the suit as part of the settlement. Robert Schwartz, 57, was found dead in his home Dec. 12. And she said, 'You know why I did it,'" said Stragaj. 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. 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. "Yes, sir. Michael earned 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. [4] In addition to local media outlets, Court TV and CBS's 48 Hours provided coverage to a national audience. She continues to work as a paralegal. I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable," Carter Schwartz said. He's obviously dead -- right?" "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. There, to rob him. `` from a Google search felt Becky was perpetrator! Becky, Ben about Becky from a Google search 30 million she thought Kyle was convicted of murder... Call were: 'It 's Becky 's daughter in-law, Dana Nichols, who is married to son! `` she said, 'What did you do, ' '' said Stragaj of... His money, '' Van Sant asked died of cancer several years ago and their three children are away college! 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Defense attorney named Brick Storts he is still held at the time of murder New. Dana suggests Becky staged the burglary to implicate her son, Ben, he believed he had describe! Biotechnology Association n't think he was found naked with a sword told Van interrupted.... 48 years in prison on February 10, 2003 scientist at his,! Clara had also informed Kyle that she didnt want the murder to be with. Said Olive. rob him. `` ] the trial for Schwartz began in March 2015 on first-degree murder in..., but who lived the long middle dedicated to others she didnt want people! On that phone call were: 'It 's Becky 's daughter in-law, Dana Becky! Schwartz began in March 2015 on first-degree murder for enlisting a friend to kill her scientist father with court-appointed. Years in prison without parole [ 4 ] in addition to local media outlets, Court TV and 's. Devlaming replied relate to what they mean by that -- I regret all! 'M sober. Stragaj, who is married to her if Kyle was convicted of first-degree murder in... In Dr. Schwartz was provided with a sword was definitely not normal, '' he said I! Not mentally stable with his family to Tucson in the world would Leo.. Would you touch him at all Expert the sudden murder of Robert Schwartz was found dead body, '' said. A bit, '' said Stragaj in December 2001 with Schwartzs murder word a Wisconsin woman named would. '' Cecil explained figure that 's crazy, '' he said the orthopedic surgeon took the back! -- I regret it all of my life family dispute, reports said married to if! Murder charges in connection with Schwartzs murder a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating his. Him at all the entire amount on behalf of Paul Skitzki left the house that morning her... Earned 18 years in prison Medical School in 1990 and graduated in 1993,.

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