This story, produced by Alec Sirken, Ryan Smith, and Michelle Feuer, originally aired on February 11 and was updated on July 29. Steven Schwartz’s life, described as extraordinary by his son Carter, was truly remarkable. Carter followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in medicine, inspired by the incredible example set by his dad. Steven was not only a respected physician but also a beloved figure among his patients and colleagues in Tampa, Florida, where he specialized in kidney care.
Steven Schwartz was not only successful in his medical practice but also accumulated significant wealth, estimated to be between $20 and 30 million. He lived in a luxurious waterfront home with his second wife, Becky, who managed his medical office and investments. Despite Becky’s charming and hospitable demeanor, former friends April Cox and Patrick Olive noted that she could also be tough and demanding, ultimately firing them after the murder.
Becky and Steven, who met through a dating service in the late 1990s and officially married in 2012, had a blended family consisting of children from previous relationships. Carter Schwartz, Steven’s son, shared that he had a strained relationship with Becky and her sons, particularly Ben, who struggled with drug addiction and other issues. Carter recounted instances where Ben had asked for money and described Becky’s lavish spending on her children, contrasting sharply with the uneasy dynamic within the family.
The story delves into the complexities of the Schwartz family dynamics, shedding light on the challenges and tensions that existed beneath the surface.
“My siblings have always been kind, despite feeling left out here,” Van Sant asked Carter. “I think you’d have to be willfully ignorant not to see it,” he replied. Carter believed that the main reason Becky was with his father was because she wanted to spend his money. “It became very apparent early on that her motive was financial. Even as a young child, I could see she wasn’t there because she loved him,” he said. However, all the 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 and discovered her home in disarray. She ran outside and called 911: “Tarpon Springs Police may I help you?” the operator responded. Rebecca reported, “Hi, somebody – I just walked in to my house and somebody robbed my house. I walked in the bedroom, into the closet and all the drawers were opened. And I was, like, what?” Police arrived and quickly entered the home looking for a possible intruder. Instead, they found Dr. Schwartz in a pool of blood. He had been strangled, shot, and stabbed. “One of, if not the worst moment of my life,” said Carter. Carter Schwartz was on the way home after traveling in Japan when he received word of his father’s murder. “What do you do, stuck in an airport?” Van Sant asked. “It was feeling numb when people describe it. I think now I can relate to what they mean by that — just a feeling of helplessness,” Carter replied. By the time he landed back in the States, Carter called his uncle and was certain he knew who killed his father, suspecting that to Becky, Dr. Schwartz was worth more dead than alive. “And the first words outta my mouth on that phone call were: ‘It’s Becky, Ben or a combination thereof. I don’t know how, but I know one of the two of them or both are involved,'” Carter told Van Sant. When asked if he was interviewed by the police, Carter confirmed he was, urging them not to overlook anyone in the family just because they were related. The investigation then shifted to Dr. Schwartz’s longtime employee and contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. Stragaj, who goes by Leo, revealed that he was working in the U.S. without legal status but was paid well by Dr. Schwartz. After months of testing, investigators found Stragaj’s DNA on several parts of Dr. Schwartz’s clothing. Stragaj admitted he was at the scene but maintained his innocence in the murder. “I was there. I admit I was there, but I didn’t kill Dr. Schwartz,” he said.
The body was found by Leo Stragaj, who later admitted to making a grave mistake by not contacting the police out of fear. He was afraid of being deported as immigration had warned him that any interaction with law enforcement could lead to his removal due to his lack of proper documentation. Stragaj claims to have an alibi and denies being the killer. He implicates Rebecca Schwartz, alleging that she requested him to find someone to murder her husband, Dr. Schwartz.
Stragaj insists that he cared for Dr. Schwartz and had no motive to harm him. He explains that his DNA might have been transferred to the victim’s clothing when he checked on him upon discovery. Stragaj reveals that he was at the scene that morning because Rebecca had asked him to retrieve her handbag from the house, where he stumbled upon the dead body. He accuses Rebecca of orchestrating the murder and framing him, citing a previous request from her to arrange her husband’s demise.
He recounts confronting Rebecca about the knife he found in her handbag, accusing her of the crime hours before she reported a burglary to the police. Stragaj alleges that she threatened him with financial repercussions if he revealed the truth, including withholding a substantial sum of money he had invested with her. Despite Stragaj’s arrest ten months after the murder, Becky Schwartz has never been charged in connection to her husband’s death, although suspicions linger among the late doctor’s acquaintances that she played a significant role in the crime, potentially driven by a desire for wealth.
“She is as focused on money as we are on breathing,” he remarked. “And greedy, excessively so to the point of absurdity,” said Carter Schwartz. However, the concept of absurdity took on a new meaning for Becky after a tragic car accident 30 years ago took the life of her 2-year-old son, Christopher. “This is a woman who lost her son due to a drunk driver. She then began working for MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She later faced a felony conviction for embezzling funds from MADD,” explained Dr. Patton. Becky was found guilty of embezzling over $12,000 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which she used to purchase a car and a boat for herself. “What kind of person does that?” questioned Dr. Patton. Becky received a five-year probation sentence and was required to repay the stolen funds, a situation compared to stealing from a church donation tray by Dr. Patton.
Following Dr. Schwartz’s passing, there were peculiar behaviors that fueled suspicions regarding Becky’s involvement. According to Patrick Olive and April Cox, Becky unexpectedly arrived at their home around 9 a.m. “She opened the door, grabbed a beer, sat on the couch, and drank the beer,” Cox described. “Drinking beer at 9:00 a.m. was definitely not normal,” Olive added. There was limited conversation during Becky’s visit, with Cox noting her stressed demeanor. Strangely, Becky chose not to hold a memorial service for Dr. Schwartz, despite his colleagues planning one. “Rebecca canceled all services and ceremonies for my father. I later discovered she arranged a private funeral or service at the house, to which I was not invited,” shared Carter.
Dr. Patton labeled Becky as a sociopath, stating she deviated far from the norm. Leo Stragaj claimed Becky expressed a desire to have Carter eliminated during a conversation at a bar, a year before Dr. Schwartz’s murder. “She said, ‘I want someone to kill Carter Schwartz,'” Stragaj recounted. However, Becky’s son, Ben, was taken aback by her statement. Ben confirmed that he confronted his mother about the absurd suggestion. Carter believed Becky wanted him out of the picture because he uncovered her covert money transfers from their shared accounts. Becky directed the funds to accounts solely in her name and had credit cards under her name only. When Carter disclosed this information to his father, it left him in disbelief.
Carter responded, acknowledging that he could engage in a heated argument with someone, yet he remained professional. “He stated, ‘I’m going home. I will handle this.’ However, Schwartz ultimately failed to resolve the issue, which later posed a problem for Carter. Unbeknownst to him, his father had altered his estate plan a year prior, leaving everything to Becky and nothing to his own children. When asked by Van Sant why his father made such a decision, Carter could only speculate, stating, “I cannot fathom why someone with clear judgment would do that.” This unanswered question led to further inquiries, with a potential connection found in a dark incident from Dr. Schwartz’s past.
Delving into the past, a shocking incident emerged involving Dr. Steven Schwartz, found murdered in his mansion a year prior. Suspect Leo Stragaj was in custody, but the possibility of a past event influencing the murder arose. Fifty-five years ago in Hobbs, New Mexico, Schwartz was implicated in another murder case, as recalled by Phillip Dyer, a former acquaintance. Dyer recollected the events of 1961 when a young and ambitious Schwartz planned to rob a local dentist, Dr. Victor Cook. The heist turned disastrous, leading to a fatal confrontation when Dr. Cook refused to comply with Schwartz’s demands. Dyer, who was present during the incident, distanced himself upon witnessing Schwartz’s armed intentions. The failed robbery left a lasting impact on Dyer, prompting a reflection on Schwartz’s character and motivations.
“Get in the car and take a look inside, see the expression on his face as I enter. I turned around to see his bloodshot eyes,” Dyer recounted. “He described it to me, saying, ‘I shot the man between the eyes,’ and demonstrated by pointing between his own eyes.” It was a horrifying event, and to this day, Cecil possesses the gun used by Schwartz to kill Dr. Cook. “I always held him in high regard, and I wanted that gun. So, I purchased it at an auction,” he explained. “Most of us involved felt that it was a heinous, despicable, and reprehensible act,” Dyer added.
Dyer, the accomplice, served a year in prison, while Schwartz, the shooter, spent nine years behind bars. Eventually, both men’s sentences were commuted, and they pursued higher education. Schwartz relocated to Italy, where he obtained a medical degree. The two former criminals vowed to spend the rest of their lives making amends for their dreadful deed. “He was driven to somehow compensate for the pain and suffering he caused to Dr. Cook’s family and others in the community, and I shared that same drive,” said Dyer.
The murder in 1961 had a profound impact on those involved, including Carter Schwartz, who only learned about it after his father’s passing. The dark past of Dr. Schwartz was speculated to have been used against him, possibly by his wife, Becky, to extort millions from him. Becky’s silence and relocation to a new state with a new partner have left many unanswered questions surrounding the case.
Despite suspicions and legal battles, no criminal charges have been filed against Ben, and the truth behind Dr. Schwartz’s past remains shrouded in mystery. The possibility of blackmail and betrayal lingers, as the individuals connected to the case continue to grapple with its repercussions.
In Winneconne, Wisconsin, close to where her son, Eric, managed his Verizon store, Becky had been seeking a sense of purpose. “I believe she’s been trying to find her way,” commented Kym Rivellini. Along with Denis deVlaming, Rivellini serves as Becky’s legal counsel, prepared to defend her against any potential future charges. When asked if Becky now leads a quiet life in Wisconsin, deVlaming confirmed. However, quiet is not how a woman named Meredith from Wisconsin would describe her former close friend, Becky. Feeling deceived and manipulated, Meredith shared her story of betrayal by Becky, whom she had welcomed into her family with open arms. The relationship took a dark turn as Becky’s deceit unraveled, leading to heartbreak and devastation for Meredith. Becky’s actions, including manipulating Meredith’s husband and daughter, left a trail of pain and mistrust. The situation escalated to a point where Meredith faced a suicide attempt, only to be met with a callous visit from Becky during her recovery. In a disturbing turn of events, Becky allegedly delivered a cruel message filled with malice and hurt.
Becky’s daughter-in-law, Dana Nichols, who is married to her son, Ben, made a surprising revelation after two years of silence. In a courtroom moment, Dana read a text message to a friend that implied suspicions about Becky’s involvement in Dr. Schwartz’s murder. Dana expressed her belief that Becky may have meticulously planned the crime. She also suggested that Becky staged a burglary in an attempt to incriminate her son, Ben. Dana voiced her concerns to the court, indicating her fear of Becky’s potential threats towards her family.
During a deposition, Becky Schwartz refused to provide answers regarding the murder and invoked her rights under the Florida Constitution. While Dana and others suspect Becky’s involvement, Becky’s attorneys maintain her innocence and point to Leo Stragaj as the perpetrator. The case is characterized by disputes over inheritance and accusations of greed from the Schwartz children.
The question of who killed Dr. Schwartz remains unresolved, with conflicting narratives and motives. The case has been driven by substantial financial interests, with millions of dollars at stake. Becky’s attorney argues that the Schwartz children are attempting to shift blame to Becky in order to secure their father’s wealth. Despite the ongoing legal battles, the truth behind Dr. Schwartz’s murder continues to be a mystery, with speculation surrounding Leo Stragaj as the possible culprit.
“Stragaj was present during the murder, which explains the presence of his DNA at the scene,” said deVlaming. “Why would Leo Stragaj harm Dr. Stephen Schwartz, who was his primary source of income?” Van Sant inquired. “My theory is that Stragaj feared being replaced when Dr. Schwartz retired, as he believed a cheaper replacement would take his place,” deVlaming responded. “Perhaps Rebecca Schwartz would keep him on if Dr. Schwartz was out of the picture.”
Additionally, deVlaming pointed out that Stragaj’s explanation of being at the house to retrieve Becky’s purse was implausible. “You went to get the bag,” noted Van Sant. “I saw jewelry boxes and a kitchen knife on the bag,” Stragaj replied. “A kitchen knife? A large one?” Van Sant questioned. “Yes, a large kitchen knife,” Stragaj confirmed. “Was there blood on the knife?” Van Sant probed. “No, not that I remember,” Stragaj stated.
DeVlaming dismissed Stragaj’s story, calling it absurd that he would claim to have seen a murder weapon in the bag and risk leaving his DNA and fingerprints behind. Furthermore, Stragaj’s alibi was refuted by police through cell phone records.
Stragaj, a physically imposing individual unlike Becky, denies any involvement in the murder. However, deVlaming argues that Becky, being much smaller in size, could not have carried out the violent acts on her own.
Despite Stragaj’s claims that Becky never asked him to harm Dr. Schwartz or his son, Carter, deVlaming insists these statements are false. Stragaj maintains his innocence, attributing the DNA presence to Becky.
“I deeply regret not contacting the police. I swear I didn’t kill their father. I am not the perpetrator,” Stragaj asserted. Van Sant pointed out the incriminating evidence against Stragaj, including his DNA on the victim, failure to report the crime, and dishonesty with investigators.
Stragaj eventually acknowledged Becky’s involvement only after his arrest. “I believe both Leo Stragaj and Rebecca Schwartz were complicit in his murder,” he concluded.
“Dr. Schwartz’s death was caused by an unknown assailant on that day,” Carter Schwartz stated. The question remained: who was responsible for killing Dr. Schwartz? The only potential witness was the advanced security camera system in the mansion, known only to Stragaj, Becky, and family members. However, the hard drive containing the footage had mysteriously disappeared.
“Did you take the hard drive from the security camera?” Van Sant inquired.
“No, I—” Stragaj began.
“Then who do you think did? Who else knew about the hard drive’s location?” Van Sant pressed.
“Her. And she might have had help,” Stragaj responded.
Currently, Leo Stragaj was the sole person facing charges, while uncertainty loomed over Becky’s legal future. Law enforcement remained tight-lipped as the investigation continued.
“Is Becky still a person of interest in the case?” Van Sant questioned deVlaming.
“Yes, she is,” he confirmed.
“Could there be an arrest in the future?” Van Sant probed.
“There’s always a possibility,” deVlaming replied.
Facing the looming threat of arrest, Becky remained anxious about her potential involvement in her husband’s murder. Carter Schwartz sought justice for his father, a man who dedicated his life to serving others despite a tumultuous beginning and tragic end.
“I want justice to prevail. I want those responsible to be held accountable,” Carter asserted, reflecting on his father’s unwavering commitment to societal contributions.
As the investigation unfolded, the murder weapons, a gun and a knife, remained elusive, adding another layer of mystery to the case.
In other news: A judge’s decision on the DOGE takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace, an Auburn basketball manager’s battle with leukemia, and the uncertainties faced by auto dealers amidst looming tariff increases.
