Claras companion, Katherine Inglis, said Clara was involved in her fathers murder just a day or two after Robert was apprehended. She planned it. "I told him-- I said, 'I want nothin' to do with this. "There's always that possibility," said deVlaming. And I looked at that and I looked at my husband and I said, 'Isn't that weird? On Claras computer, the authorities discovered instant communications between her and Kyle in which they plotted murdering Robert. His friend and medical partner, Dr. Robert Patton, admired him greatly. WebOn the night of the murder, Schwartz was with Lisa Goldberg, a girlfriend he had recently begun seeing after meeting her on an online dating service. "The person that benefitted was Becky Schwartz and the people that she deems worthy of giving away Dr. Schwartz's money to. They also had witnesses state how she talked about the money she stood to gain once Robert died. [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. What individual would tell somebody that could turn them in, to go pick up the murder weapon that could be turned into the police to get your DNA, (laughs) your fingerprints? And Becky seduced her new boyfriend with expensive gifts, too. So I run and get in the car, and when I look inside -- get a look at his face when I get in. "he was found many times -- on death's door nearly overdosed and she disowned him," Carter explained. But absurd took on a new meaning with Becky after a tragic car accident 30 years ago that killed her 2-year-old son, Christopher. [20], Attorneys for Schwartz and Bigger filed appeals almost immediately after sentencing. "And then staged the scene to look like a burglary?" But friends and colleagues of Dr. Schwartz have always suspected Becky was involved. [9] The trial officially ended on May 2, 2006. you're not gonna get my money.'". Schwartz, Dyer says, may have had some gambling debts to pay off. Anton Stragaj remained in the Pinellas County Jail Thursday without bond. "It happened the day before Thanksgiving of 1961, November" said Phillip Dyer. "Was there blood on the knife?" Furthermore, Clara had also told Kyle that she was going on a trip to the Virgin Islands for Christmas with her father. The result was one that reportedly pleased the state bar. "[7] Schwartz would later take Bigger to an automated teller machine (ATM) and then check him into a hotel. She had also met a teenager named Kyle Hulbert at a Renaissance Fair in Maryland in September 2001. [8] Early on, Storts suggested that the attorney-client relationship between Schwartz and Lopez precluded the case from going to trial. A surgeon and the father-in-law of Asaduddin Owaisis second daughter, Mazharuddin Ali Khan, died by suicide on Monday in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Leo Stragaj admits he never implicated Becky until the day he was arrested. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, who has achieved a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand issued by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "He never lost sight of paying back his debt to society. A complaint was filed against her by the Arizona State Bar as a result of her involvement with Bradley Schwartz's drug fraud. [3], On October 15, police captured Bigger who was hiding just outside Tucson. "I said, 'What did you do,' right away. Stidham was meant to take over the pediatric ophthalmology aspect of Schwartz's business. Schwartz, the shooter, spent nine years in prison. But with a blended family came problems. Kyle was found guilty of his part in the crime in the end. WebThe murder of Robert Schwartz occurred on December 8, 2001, in Leesburg, Virginia. "Here's a guy who's been shot, strangled, blood -- why would you touch him at all to begin with? In September 2001, she met Kyle Hulbert, an adolescent from Maryland, during a Renaissance Fair. "Oh, I imagine he had maybe $1,000 or more at the time on him," Cecil said. [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. "He was my doctor and my wife's doctor. "Kitchen knife.". He was bright. There's no way in the world that she could have shot, stabbed and strangled somebody that big," he said. And that became a problem for Carter. "I wasn't there when he did it, but I can't imagine why, having sober judgment, anyone would do that.". WebAs a 22-year-old pre-med student dropout in 1961, Schwartz (and others) robbed and killed a dentist, Dr. V.G. / CBS News, Produced by Alec Sirken, Ryan Smith and Michelle Feuer, [This story first aired on Feb. 11. 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. "If evil is to the left, good is to the right. Meredith says Becky's lying was soon followed by betrayal. The wrongful death lawsuit claims their stepmother and Stragaj conspired to murder Schwartz, whose estate is worth at least $10 million, for financial gain. The lawsuit also claims that Becky Schwartz was embezzling funds from her husbands medical practice. "Money. I was scared," he said. That "hidden information," Carter says, is that Becky was moving money from their joint bank accounts. Clara played the overlord, Lord Chaos, and House acted as an assassin assigned to kill Old Guy -- Clara Schwartzs father. [20], Schwartz and Bigger were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. And to this day, Cecil has the gun Schwartz used to murder Dr. Cook. Clara had pointed him to a chapter in a book about herbal poisons, wanting to make Roberts death look natural. To say Steven Schwartz's life was extraordinary, as his son, Carter, does, is an understatement. That's when his DNA got there. No trial date has been set for Leo Tragaj's murder trial. Schwartz was a tall, handsome kid from New York, the son of a doctor. [2] Bradley Alan Schwartz, also a pediatric ophthalmologist, and Ronald Bruce Bigger, a hit man, were arrested and convicted for the murder. Being betrayed by her husband and her best friend was just too much. Although she was instructed not to discuss their interview with Schwartz, she told Schwartz about the investigation and interview within the following 24 hours. WebLike many of the criminals featured on Forensic Files, the men who murdered Dr. Brian Stidham obviously didnt watch the show often enough. Clara was sentenced to serve 48 years in prison on February 10, 2003. I'm leaving,'" said Dyer. "He was my doctor. The case alleged that the parties involved could have helped prevent Brian Stidham's murder. "And why in the world would she want her husband dead?" 48 Hours: Who Was Susan Bermans Mob Boss Father? The nature of the crime shocked many, and the murder weapon was believed to be a 27-inch sword. "Yeah, a large kitchen knife," Stragaj affirmed. Schwartz decided to rob a local dentist, Dr. Victor Cook. He says that confrontation was more than 10 hours before Becky called police to the house that night to report an alleged burglary. "Basically, 'if you get better, call me. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. One of these phone calls included Bigger repeatedly asking, "Where is my money? Bigger's defense attorney, Jill Thorpe, tried to prove that it was Schwartz who had actually physically committed the murder. "And he provided work for me. Soon, the police went about chasing every lead possible. "What do you do, stuck in an airport?" said Dr. Patton. "And greedy, just greedy to the point of it being absurd almost," said Carter Schwartz. Boxer Eddie Leal Murder Case Where Is Manuel Guzman These Days? You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. 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.". Instead, they found Dr. Schwartz in a pool of blood. Stragaj also felt close to Steven Schwartz. "Other accounts in only her name. Katherine received a one-year prison sentence after being convicted guilty of a murder conspiracy. WebRobert was thought to have been murdered two days before he was discovered. The nature of the phone discussions had changed over the course of the night. Becky had two sons from her previous marriages, including Ben. "And if you cross her then, you know, you're basically gone," Patrick Olive said. Schwartz began to reassure Bigger that he had his money. Robert has an X engraved on his back after being stabbed and slashed more than thirty times. 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. 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. He said that Clara created a fantasy role-playing game called Underworld, where he played an assassin and a bard. "He was dedicated to medicine like no physician I've ever known. Nearly $500 was missing from the "I said to them, 'Please, do not overlook anyone in this family just because they're related.". "Becky took his extended family on an Alaskan cruise that lasted a couple weeks with Dr. Schwartz's money. 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. 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. And her son goes, 'Mom, are you crazy? But they then began to focus on the Schwartz's longtime employee and contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. [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. I didn't call the police that day. "That Leo Stragaj was there at the time of murder. "What is the most important thing to Becky Schwartz?" "I didn't know," Stragaj said. He is obsessed with movies, comic books, and television shows, and he spends much too much money on collectibles. "she didn't have five children.". "I believe that both Leo Stragaj and Rebecca Schwartz were involved in his murder and caused his death on that date," said Carter Schwartz. "What I want more than anything is for justice to be served. "In one of the articles, it said she got married in 2010. He was just a wonderful guy who would do anything for anyone.". Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Stragaj also claims she threatened him. They stood there and watched as Kyle went in and killed Robert before driving away with him. Both the prosecution and the defense attacked Schwartz's character. "One of, if not the worst moment of my life," said Carter. Stidham gave Schwartz 30 days' notice and began making plans to start his own practice across town. Their trials are set for early next year. According to Katherine, Clara wanted her father dead and talked about the money she would inherit if that became a reality. "Yeah, that was definitely not normal," said Olive. " In 2009, Schwartz claimed to have been attacked numerous times by inmates. The 37-year-old was arrested in March 2015 on first-degree murder charges in connection with Schwartzs murder. [5] The couple subsequently had three children. "I don't think he was a badass kid at all. "I thought truly we had found a great friend. [6] The couple moved to Indianapolis where Stidham undertook a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Indiana University. WebAt around 11pm on October 5, 2004, a cleaning crew discovered Stidhams body inside his vehicle that was parked in the parking lot of the North First Medical Plaza in Tucson, But tragedy struck the Schwartz family in December 2001. Lola Stragaj was booked into the Pinellas County Jail Wednesday, Dec. 14. "Did you remove the hard drive from that security camera" Van Sant asked. The two sides settled out of court with the Phoenix group characterizing his behavior as "obscene, abusive, and belligerent. Becky got five years probation and had to pay back the money she stole. "Well, that's one possibility," he replied. She fit into our lives so perfectly," Meredith explained. "Your DNA was on the victim. In 2007, the Arizona Supreme Court officially disbarred her for her connection to the drug case. [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. ID 106 Death by Fame: Life Imitates Art Lloyd Avery and His Victims, Wreck Season 1 Recap and Ending, Explained, Lauren Harpe From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carolyn Wiger From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carson Garrett From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Keto Diet Questions And Answers, Big Brother Season 23 Episode 13 Release Date & Spoiler. The defense argued that the man prosecutors say she asked to commit the crime, Kyle Hulbert, is not mentally stable. Kyle later indicated that after Clara informed him of the situation, he felt compelled to take action. The police took his statement. But as for Dr. Schwartz's dark past. I admit I was there, but I didn't kill Dr. Schwartz," he said. "When you heard the news that your father had killed a man, how shocking was that for you?" She has a felony conviction for embezzling money from MADD," said Dr. Patton. "I kept telling him -- I said, 'it's like you've checked out of our marriage and I don't understand. Prosecutors allege that Hulbert wasnt the only person Schwartz asked to kill her father. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. I get permits. A Loudoun County Bigger's trials would not begin until the following March. 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. Minutes later Schwartz, driving the car, pulled up to Dyer on the street. So, lets find out what happened to her then, shall we. And he says the only reason he was in the house that morning was because Becky Schwartz sent him there. And I was, like, what? Stragaj, who is from Albania, was working in the U.S. without proper legal status. A year later he switched to ophthalmology. After all was said and done, Kyle was convicted guilty of his role in the crime. Throughout his trial, Schwartz never took the stand. [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. Prosecutor Owen Basham urged the jury Tuesday to recommend a stiff sentence. [7] Schwartz initially pleaded guilty to the drug charges in 2003; however, the plea was withdrawn in early 2004. At the time of the incident, she was a computer science major at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Their first child, Alexandre Brian, was born in Houston in 2000. And the reason it's hogwash is Leo says that he looks in the bag and he sees a butcher knife. "And I don't recall there being a lot of conversation. WebOur Office. Both sentences were eventually commuted and both men later went to college. "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. Lola Stragaj is accused of befriending an elderly woman with cognitive disabilities and then bilking her out of nearly $100,000. He had been strangled, shot and stabbed. [3] Stidham officially served as Schwartz's associate until October 2002,[17] when Schwartz was indicted on drug fraud charges. She had nothing to do with the murder itself," said deVlaming. Wil Florin: What -- did you mean to say she'd planned for a long time? Clara created a roleplaying game called Underworld while she was a student at a university in Virginia, and she and Kyle became friends because of their shared interest in witchcraft and the occult. "She is clearly a sociopath, without a doubt," said Dr. Patton. When Kyle was apprehended, he gave a complete confession to the police, claiming that he killed Clara because he believed Robert was abusing her. So, if youre wondering what happened, weve got you covered. Schwartz had Carter and two other children from his previous relationships. Please enter valid email address to continue. Money. I think now I can relate to what they mean by that -- just a feeling of helplessness," Carter replied. "That's like stealing money out of the donation tray at church," Dr. Patton remarked. Robert was stabbed and slashed more than thirty times and had an X carved on his back. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. What -- what are you saying? I'm not the man," he said. He's obviously dead -- right?" 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. And then -- and did the rest in a crazy, violent rage, unless Leo helped her finish the job. [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. Brown created and produced the British horror comedy series "Wreck," which is currently available on Hulu. And she said, 'You know why I did it,'" said Stragaj. 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? While in Dallas, he met and began dating his neighbor, Daphne Herding,[5] whom he eventually married in a garden ceremony in 1997. Robert M. Schwartz, 57, a founding member of the Virginia Biotechnology Association, was found dead in the secluded fieldstone farmhouse southwest of Leesburg where he lived alone. [14] Schwartz also wrote prescriptions to his office manager, Laurie Espinoza, who would retrieve the medication and give it to Schwartz. So, if youre curious about what transpired, dont worry. Clara and Katherine had met while the former was in her senior year in high school. Hulbert, 19, of Millersville, Md., wrote in a confession that he killed Schwartz to protect Clara Schwartz from abuse. "Is she worried or afraid that she'll be arrested for the murder of her husband? "Who do you think did? [3], The DNA evidence from Bigger in Stidham's car also provided evidence for the prosecution. "I didn't have the -- you know, the green card, the nothing.". She's about five standard deviations off the left side," said Patton. "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. [16] Schwartz attended rehab later that year and admitted that he had a drug problem. After months of testing, investigators made a damning discovery: Stragaj's DNA was on several parts of Dr. Schwartz's clothing. World Expert Van Sant asked Carter Schwartz. The two former criminals pledged to spend the rest of their lives atoning for their terrible act. [29] The events of the murder were also covered in an episode of Forensic Files titled "Office Visit", which aired on January 22, 2010, on truTV.[30]. Carter always believed the main reason Becky was with his father was because she wanted to spend his money. Their daughter, Catherine Elizabeth, was born later in Tucson in 2003. He claims there was a conversation at a bar along with Becky's son, Ben, a year before Dr. Schwartz was murdered. "This is a woman whose son was killed by a drunk driver. Lafferty also brought up the fact that Schwartz harbored a well-known grudge against Stidham. And Dr. Schwartz had become very wealthy worth somewhere between $20 and 30 million. [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 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. "My theory is that Dr. Schwartz was gonna retire. "Rebecca hired me to fix her first house," Stragaj, who goes by Leo, told Van Sant. His body was discovered two days later. [3][7], The relationship between Brian Stidham and Bradley Schwartz began to deteriorate soon after Stidham was hired in November 2001. [5], Bradley Alan Schwartz was born January 14, 1965[10] in Brooklyn, New York to Henry and Lois Schwartz. "It's hogwash. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Records indicate that he remains incarcerated at the River North Correctional Center in Independence, Virginia. During questioning, Clara initially claimed she thought Kyle was joking when he talked about killing Robert. Your IP: And she was rubbing her hair. The crime was orchestrated by his 20-year-old daughter, Clara Jane Schwartz, as part of a fantasy role-playing game. (She does not face any charges regarding the murder of her husband.). Your own children will learn that you are a murderer,'" Van Sant asked Florin. 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. Phillip Dyer, who drove Schwartz to the scene, but backed out before the crime, "You are telling me that Rebecca Schwartz asked you to find someone to murder her husband," Van Sant queried. As Meredith lay recovering in the hospital from her suicide attempt with prescription drugs, she had a surprise visitor: Becky. "A knife," Stragaj replied. That's one of many unanswered questions. Back then, Dyer was 20 years old, a former high school football star and a buddy of Steven Schwartz.
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