Van Sant asked deVlaming. [3][7] In October 2001, two DEA agents interviewed Lopez as part of a criminal investigation involving Schwartz. "Dr. Schwartz's son," Van Sant interrupted. " And he says the only reason he was in the house that morning was because Becky Schwartz sent him there. What followed was a startling tale of deception and fantasy, which the authorities discovered. "He was dedicated to medicine like no physician I've ever known. "Anything I would tell you would be speculation. And I was, like, what? Lola Stragaj was booked into the Pinellas County Jail Wednesday, Dec. 14. Van Sant asked. "He was my doctor and my wife's doctor. Welcome.' By February 2002, Kyle, Michael, and Katherine were all in custody. And Dr. Schwartz had become very wealthy worth somewhere between $20 and 30 million. Robert was allegedly planned to make sure she didnt come back, according to her. After all was said and done, Kyle was convicted guilty of his role in the crime. However, the two had already been seeing each other and were even engaged to be married. I said, 'That's a misprint, because she met her husband in med school in New York 35 years ago. 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. "immigration told me any contact with police will send you back," he told Van Sant. "Kitchen knife.". She managed both his medical office and investments. He was living in a rural farmhouse outside of Leesburg, Virginia, at the time of the incident. When Robert Schwartz was found dead at his home, investigators have reason to believe his death was Clara had also informed Kyle that she would be spending the holidays with her father in the Virgin Islands. 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. They also argued that Robert Schwartz abused his daughter. More than three years have passed since Dr. Schwartz's murder, and Becky Schwartz splits her time between Florida and Wisconsin. [18] The victim, identified as Stidham, had been stabbed 15 times[6] and had incurred a skull fracture. In September 2003, he was sentenced to life behind bars. Soon, they were led to his youngest daughter, Clara He is obsessed with movies, comic books, and television shows, and he spends much too much money on collectibles. Van Sant asked Dr. Patton. Van Sant asked Carter Schwartz. Michael earned 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. Flick, a reporter who covered the case for the Tucson Citizen, wrote a best-selling, true-crime book published in 2018 titled "Toxic Rage: A Tale of Murder in Tucson" (WildBlue Press). When Robert Schwartz was found murdered at his home in 2001, investigators had reason to believe the attack was targeted. At the time of the incident, she was a computer science major at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. [9] The trial officially ended on May 2, 2006. But he was very good at his job, and paid more than $100,000 a year by Dr. Schwartz. [20], Schwartz and Bigger were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. "'Analysis of cell phone activity failed to support his alibi,' -- your alibi. "It became very apparent early on, her motive was financial. Fax (586) 939 -9328. email Staff@DrSchwartzOptometrist.com But with a blended family came problems. And remember, Becky claimed her Florida house had been burglarized. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a159b8aee1210a8 [3][5] Stidham began attending Harvard Medical School in 1990 and graduated in 1993. So I run and get in the car, and when I look inside -- get a look at his face when I get in. "Steve was your classic gentle giant a guy who had the heart of a bear," Dr. Patton said. He says his relationship with her was "always uneasy.". "From the house. 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. Then a student at a university in Virginia, Clara created a roleplaying game called Underworld, with her and Kyle bonding over their mutual interest in witchcraft and occult. The trial ended up painting Schwartz as an extremely manipulative individual, causing the jury to feel sympathy for Bigger. 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. Carter always believed the main reason Becky was with his father was because she wanted to spend his money. She was being held without bond as of Thursday. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. 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. Their trials are set for early next year. It was a horrific incident. [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. She planned it. "Here's another quote from the report," Van Sant said to Stragaj. By Express News Service. "I see Dr. Schwartz and he was facing the wall," he explained. While Dyer walked away from his car, Schwartz went ahead with his plan. Carter Schwartz was on the way home after travelling in Japan when he got word of his father's murder. Cecil said. I read plans. Both men also pleaded "not guilty. They started with his family, and Clara Schwartz, his youngest daughter, was discovered Click to reveal Van Sant asked. They waited as Kyle went in and killed Robert and drove away with him after that. Schwartz moved to Italy, where he earned a medical degree. "And why would she want you dead?" "Everyone seems to universally hold such a high respect for him," said Carter. "No -- not as I recall," Stragaj replied. "Was there money involved in this? He said that Clara created a fantasy role-playing game called Underworld, where he played an assassin and a bard. And her son goes, 'Mom, are you crazy? Bigger reportedly met up with the two at the restaurant. He's obviously dead -- right?" She had nothing to do with the murder itself," 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. The cops were soon on the lookout for any and all leads. Dyer, the accomplice, went to prison for a year. 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? [6], Because of the indictment, Schwartz lost his medical license[3] and entered into rehab. Largo Police announced Emirjoni "Lola" Como Stragajs arrest Thursday. [14] Schwartz also wrote prescriptions to his office manager, Laurie Espinoza, who would retrieve the medication and give it to Schwartz. Investigators later learned that Michael, then 21, and Katherine, then 19, drove Kyle to Roberts house on December 8, 2001. "I'm so sorry I didn't call the police. She said she had left the house that morning without her handbag. WebOn December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. [27] Mrs. Stidham also filed a suit in August 2005 against Pima County, Lourdes Lopez, Paul Skitzki, and county attorney Barbara LaWall. Both sentences were eventually commuted and both men later went to college. I don't understand what's changed, what happened,'" she said. In the end, a jury found Clara guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of solicitation to commit murder. A surgeon and the father-in-law of Asaduddin Owaisis second daughter, Mazharuddin Ali Khan, died by suicide on Monday in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. WebThats until the beloved doctor, 74-year-old Steven Schwartz, was found murdered in the couple's sprawling waterfront Tarpon Springs home. 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. Furthermore, Clara had also told Kyle that she was going on a trip to the Virgin Islands for Christmas with her father. Police looked at Dr. Schwartz's inner circle. "money was her way of connecting.". This looks bad," Van Sant pointed out. [5] He was killed in his 1992 white Lexus SC400[19] and dragged from his car to make it look like a robbery. I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable," Carter Schwartz said. [21] Other arguments Storts used revolved around discrepancies between the time of death, Bigger's whereabouts, and the fact that the $10,000 had seemingly vanished. She faces one count of exploitation of the elderly and one count of fraudulent use of personal identification, jail records indicate. According to Patrick, Clara asked him to kill Old Guy, and he initially thought it was only game-related. Schwartz has been in jail since her arrest in February on the campus of James Madison University, where she was a student. A neighbour stopped by Roberts house on December 10 to see if he was okay because he hadnt turned up for work. Stragaj claims Becky threatened to withhold $75,000 he had invested in real estate with her. And he was going to be replaced with somebody far less expensive," deVlaming replied. I'm not sure why," he replied. Victim Brian Stidham left behind "That's like stealing money out of the donation tray at church," Dr. Patton remarked. In 2007, the Arizona Supreme Court officially disbarred her for her connection to the drug case. I said, 'That's impossible.' WebBack to the United States, and on December 10th, Dr. Robert M. Schwartz was found murdered in Leesberg, Virginia. Becky was also deposed in that wrongful death suit, but refused to answer any questions from Roebig and Florin. "she didn't have five children.". 'Locations and associated times given by [you] did not match cell phone tower.'". "I kept telling him -- I said, 'it's like you've checked out of our marriage and I don't understand. "Was there blood on the knife?" And that he was the killer," said deVlaming. "Well, that's one possibility," he replied. According to Leo Stragaj, Becky even wanted Carter out of the picture. Patrick stated that he met Clara in June 2001 at a festival in Leesburg, Virginia. [7] He worked at a hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania prior to relocating with his family to Tucson in the late '90s. And that something is her involvement in the murder," said Florin. Van Sant asked. "There's always that possibility," said deVlaming. [6] The couple moved to Indianapolis where Stidham undertook a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Indiana University. Leo Stragaj awaits trial as the only person charged. But they live in fear, as she told her friend in another text: Dana Nichols (reading aloud in court): I said, "I am scared to talk to the detectives and -- and police I would hope if Becky came after me or sent someone after me, she wouldn't hurt Kendall. WebMurder On December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was stabbed to death with a sword at his Leesburg, Virginia farmhouse. But Stragaj insists he didn't do itthat Becky was the culprit. [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'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. "It happened the day before Thanksgiving of 1961, November" said Phillip Dyer. Investigation Discoverys The Perfect Murder: The Devil Made Me Do It focuses on how Clara manipulated three other people into helping with her fathers murder. [14] He also became addicted to Ritalin. "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. Tom Roebig, Carter Schwartz' attorney, reasoned. [3], The DNA evidence from Bigger in Stidham's car also provided evidence for the prosecution. "She's just trying to lay low and find a path.". And I made two runs because I'm -- I'm in construction site job, $125,000 job. "I seen, like, jewelry boxes and one knife on the bag," said Stragaj. "Why would he do that?" So, lets find out what happened to her then, shall we. It's absolutely laughably ridiculous," said deVlaming. "She said, 'I had a little fight with Dr. Schwartz. "Is she still a person of interest in this case?" [3][7], The relationship between Brian Stidham and Bradley Schwartz began to deteriorate soon after Stidham was hired in November 2001. "It all points to her. The authorities believed Robert was killed about two days before being found. WebThe murder of Robert Schwartz occurred on December 8, 2001, in Leesburg, Virginia. Lafferty also brought up the fact that Schwartz harbored a well-known grudge against Stidham. He, along with attorney Brick Storts, attempted to sue the state of Arizona for $750,000. "If evil is to the left, good is to the right. The series, created Carolyn Wiger From Survivor 44 -CBS has debuted the 44th season of the renowned reality television series "Survivor" Diverse strangers attempt to survive in Contestant Carson Garrett From Survivor 44 -Since its launch in 2000, the CBS reality competition series 'Survivor,' developed by Charlie Parsons, has been a Where is Kevin Roby Now? But tragedy struck the Schwartz family in December 2001. 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. He says he had every reason to keep Steven Schwartz alive. July 29, 2017 / 11:25 PM "One of, if not the worst moment of my life," said Carter. A prominent biophysicist, he had been stabbed multiple times with a 2-foot-long sword. As per the Tv9 Telugu, the orthopedic surgeon took the extreme step due to a family dispute, reports said. [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 the robbery of Dr. Cook went terribly wrong. The 37-year-old was arrested in March 2015 on first-degree murder charges in connection with Schwartzs murder. No trial date has been set for Leo Tragaj's murder trial. 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC. Becky and Dr. Schwartz had met in the late 1990s through a dating service, and were a committed couple. [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. He look out for us," said Stragaj. "A knife," Stragaj replied. "And he said, 'I'm moving into Becky's.'". That's one of many unanswered questions. You didn't call 911. Being betrayed by her husband and her best friend was just too much. And she was rubbing her hair. Stragaj also claims she threatened him. And me and my siblings are kind being left out here.'" He was jailed for the rest of his life in September 2003. [3] Stidham told friends that his partner (Schwartz) had been acting "weird" and that he needed to remove himself from the situation. Robert was born on May 13, 1944. Robert Schwartzs untimely death was ultimately the result of a cunning plot to have him killed. Where did it go?" 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. Stidham gave Schwartz 30 days' notice and began making plans to start his own practice across town. "Who do you think did? 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? The police talked to Leo Stragaj. Inside, he found the scientist brutally murdered. "I thought truly we had found a great friend. "I had nothing against the man. She has a felony conviction for embezzling money from MADD," said Dr. Patton. Rebecca Schwartz: I walked in the bedroom, into the closet and all the drawers were opened. Prosecutors allege that Hulbert wasnt the only person Schwartz asked to kill her father. In the same game, there also existed a character named Old Guy that signified Robert. [3] Schwartz's trial lasted two months, and it took the jury five days to deliver a verdict. One of them, Katherine Inglis, provided extensive information regarding Claras involvement with the slaying. I mean -- he was intelligent. Rebecca Schwartz: Hi, somebody I just walked in to my house and somebody robbed my house. That signified Robert times given by [ you ] did not come back, '' said.. Med school in 1990 and graduated in 1993 family of the incident says his relationship with.! 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