[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. "That changed my whole life, right there in that point in time," he said. And I made two runs because I'm -- I'm in construction site job, $125,000 job. Joseph Schwartz feels very fortunate to have been providing outstanding care in Northwest Indiana since 1994. Doctor Schwartz had a thriving practice as a kidney specialist in Tampa, Florida. Back then, Dyer was 20 years old, a former high school football star and a buddy of Steven Schwartz. "And why would she want you dead?" 'Locations and associated times given by [you] did not match cell phone tower.'". "she asked me to find someone to kill Dr. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "He was beloved in many ways, was he not?" "And the first words outta my mouth on that phone call were: 'It's Becky, Ben or a combination thereof. [12] This occurred shortly after the Arizona Medical Board had reinstated Schwartz's license in August 2003. Robert Schwartz Murder Case Where is Clara Schwartz Now? Currently, stem cell therapy is not FDA approved. "And is there still a possibility there could be an arrest?" 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. WebWho Killed Robert Schwartz? A Loudoun County Circuit Court jury deliberated four hours before returning its verdict against Clara Jane Schwartz, 20. Three days after Schwartz.". And as time went on, Meredith felt Becky was becoming a little too close to her own husband. Their trials are set for early next year. 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. WebThe Perfect Murder examines the brutal and bizarre killing of scientist Robert Schwartz, who was murdered in his own home. "Why would he do that?" Van Sant asked. Click to reveal It was a horrific incident. Loudoun County on Dec. 8, 2001, and Robert M. One of them, Katherine Inglis, provided extensive information regarding Claras involvement with the slaying. I forgot my bag,'" said Stragaj. She faces one count of exploitation of the elderly and one count of fraudulent use of personal identification, jail records indicate. "Drinking the beer at 9:00 a.m. definitely not something". 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.". [5] He was killed in his 1992 white Lexus SC400[19] and dragged from his car to make it look like a robbery. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for conspiracy to murder Stidham. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. He says his relationship with her was "always uneasy.". But one thing, I didn't kill their father. If not, here's a few bucks a month for your phone bill.'". Carter says he often needed money. Bigger reportedly met up with the two at the restaurant. A Loudoun County Michele, her sister, said in court, Its been nothing but a nightmare since the first day I found out. "One of, if not the worst moment of my life," said Carter. "It turned out Rebecca had canceled any services, any ceremonies, any remembrances for my father. 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Investigators later learned that Michael, then 21, and Katherine, then 19, drove Kyle to Roberts house on December 8, 2001. "Every single night, seven days a week, we were together.". Van Sant asked Carter. "And then staged the scene to look like a burglary?" JANGAON : The family of the first-year post-graduate student Dr Dharawath Preethi on Monday alleged that she was in fact murdered in cold blood. Fax (586) 939 -9328. email Staff@DrSchwartzOptometrist.com The two sides settled out of court with the Phoenix group characterizing his behavior as "obscene, abusive, and belligerent. Carter wants justice for a father whose life started and ended so badly, but who lived the long middle dedicated to others. "Rebecca Schwartz is a victim, just like her husband. Van Sant asked Carter Schwartz. [2] Bradley Alan Schwartz, also a pediatric ophthalmologist, and Ronald Bruce Bigger, a hit man, were arrested and convicted for the murder. "What is the most important thing to Becky Schwartz?" 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. "The boyfriend has had a plane bought for him," Florin explained. [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. Van Sant asked. And she was rubbing her hair. Phillip Dyer, who drove Schwartz to the scene, but backed out before the crime, A hold is also been placed on her by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. She went to work for MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "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. And I looked at that and I looked at my husband and I said, 'Isn't that weird? He was jailed for the rest of his life in September 2003. I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable," Carter Schwartz said. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Although she was instructed not to discuss their interview with Schwartz, she told Schwartz about the investigation and interview within the following 24 hours. And big money. While the homicide investigation document listed Becky Schwartz as a suspect, she has never been charged with anything related to her husband's murder. "Your DNA was on the victim. The 81-year-old victim, an email from police said, gave Lola Stragaj power of attorney over her estate and then added her into her will. "I thought truly we had found a great friend. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. A pre-trial hearing in Anton Stragajs case is set for Jan. 12, 2017, according to Pinellas County court records. -- that we've ever seen," Cox continued. Kyle was found guilty of his part in the crime in the end. They also had witnesses testify about how she discussed the money she would get if Robert died. 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. And if she had somebody else helping her," Stragaj replied. A sample of DNA linked to Bigger was found on the radio knob of Stidham's car. Rebecca Schwartz: Hi, somebody I just walked in to my house and somebody robbed my house. [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 don't know how, but I know one of the two of them or both are involved,'" Carter told Van Sant. 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. Robert has an X engraved on his back after being stabbed and slashed more than thirty times. I didn't kill their father. "immigration told me any contact with police will send you back," he told Van Sant. [2], In June 2003, Schwartz and Lopez were involved in a domestic altercation which resulted in an amendment to the conditions for their release, prohibiting them from having contact with each other. But Becky is not saying anything. Even as a young child, I could see she wasn't there because she loved him," he said. I said, 'That's impossible.' You can follow his daily exploits on Twitter and Instagram. WebThe 37-year-old was arrested in March 2015 on first-degree murder charges in connection with Schwartzs murder. Inside, he found the scientist brutally murdered. Schwartz decided to rob a local dentist, Dr. Victor Cook. Kyle, then 18, had a history of mental illness and had spent time in psychiatric institutions as a child. "'Analysis of cell phone activity failed to support his alibi,' -- your alibi. "My theory is that Dr. Schwartz was gonna retire. [5], Bradley Alan Schwartz was born January 14, 1965[10] in Brooklyn, New York to Henry and Lois Schwartz. WebThats until the beloved doctor, 74-year-old Steven Schwartz, was found murdered in the couple's sprawling waterfront Tarpon Springs home. But friends and colleagues of Dr. Schwartz have always suspected Becky was involved. WebThe murder of Robert Schwartz occurred on December 8, 2001, in Leesburg, Virginia. In 2007, the Arizona Supreme Court officially disbarred her for her connection to the drug case. Prosecutor Owen Basham urged the jury Tuesday to recommend a stiff sentence. Stragaj says he worked on all the Schwartz's homes, including the mansion they lived in. His body was discovered two days later. "he was found many times -- on death's door nearly overdosed and she disowned him," Carter explained. 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. But they then began to focus on the Schwartz's longtime employee and contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. The nature of the phone discussions had changed over the course of the night. 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. "Other accounts in only her name. Clara was sentenced to serve 48 years in prison on February 10, 2003. "Patients, colleagues -- a great career," Van Sant noted. -- son. "[15] Under the terms of the probation, Schwartz was barred from writing prescriptions for narcotics, required to check in with the board each day, and subject to random drug tests. [3][7] In October 2001, two DEA agents interviewed Lopez as part of a criminal investigation involving Schwartz. 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. His body was discovered two days later. "And her boat name was 'Exit Strategy.' "I kept telling him -- I said, 'it's like you've checked out of our marriage and I don't understand. In one of the messages, she said that if Kyle committed the murder, she didnt want it to be traced back to her. [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. But her attorneys make the case that she is innocent, and Leo Stragaj had a strong motive to kill Dr. Schwartz alone. Van Sant asked. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Schwartz's wife, Joan, filed for divorce the following month. "I heard the door open. At the time of the incident, she was a computer science major at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. "I know. By February 2002, Kyle, Michael, and Katherine were all in custody. "I build. Schwartz has been in jail since her arrest in February on the campus of James Madison University, where she was a student. "And siphoned to where? [3][12] Despite the fact that Stidham's new practice was on the opposite side of town, Schwartz was convinced that his former partner was deliberately stealing his clients. 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