On the evening of May 28, 2014, tragedy struck in Tarpon Springs, Florida, when Dr. Steven Schwartz was found lifeless in his home, a scene far from ordinary. He had been brutally strangled, shot, and stabbed, leaving friends and family grappling with overwhelming grief and confusion. The investigation that followed would uncover a web of relationships marked by financial intrigue, hidden motives, and a dark past that seemingly loomed over his family.
- Dr. Steven Schwartz was a respected physician.
- Family dynamics complicated by financial motivations.
- Becky Schwartz is suspected of involvement.
- Leo Stragaj claims Becky asked for murder.
- Past crime may relate to his murder.
- Ongoing investigation with no arrests yet.
Carter Schwartz, the couple’s son, characterized his father’s career as extraordinary. “Dad was always a role model to me … If I could be half the physician he was, that would be a successful life,” he shared, reflecting on the immense emotional impact of the loss. But as detectives delved deeper into the events surrounding his father’s death, they unearthed troubling revelations about familial tensions, particularly with Steven’s second wife, Becky Schwartz.
Becky, who had met Steven in the late 1990s and married him in 2012, initially drew admiration from those who knew her. “If I had to describe her, she was very energetic, with southern charm and hospitality,” recalled April Cox, a friend. However, that same circle of acquaintances began to see another side. Several claimed Becky could be manipulative and fiercely protective of her interests, suggesting she wasn’t above crossing ethical lines, especially where money was concerned.
Dr. Schwartz, a successful kidney specialist, had built a wealth estimated between $20 to $30 million through his medical practice and real estate investments—wealth that could change lives. Sadly, it soon appeared that this prosperity might have created dangerous dynamics within the family. Carter noted how Becky was financially focused, stating, “It became very apparent early on, her motive was financial,” casting doubt over her intentions in their marriage.
Tensions escalated further with Becky’s son, Ben, whose struggles with addiction stirred unease in the household. Carter noted that their family dynamic faced challenges due to Becky’s tense relationship with her own children and how they interacted (or failed to) with the Schwartz family. “We sort of learned to coexist,” he explained, hinting at underlying strife that remained largely hidden from the outside world.
On the day of the murder, Becky arrived home to find the household in chaos—drawers pulled open, personal items out of place. Her frantic 911 call stated, “I just walked into my house and somebody robbed my house,” a claim that soon turned into a horrifying discovery. The police responded and found Dr. Schwartz in a pool of blood, an apparent victim of a brutal attack.
The investigation initially led police to scrutinize internal family dynamics, interviewing Becky and her son Ben. However, attention soon shifted to Leo Stragaj, a longtime employee and contractor for the Schwartz family, whose DNA was discovered on clothing associated with the crime scene. Stragaj, who claimed he discovered the body, faced suspicion for his lack of logical explanation as to why he didn’t call the authorities immediately; he said he feared deportation given his immigration status.
Confronted with circumstantial evidence, Stragaj’s defense postulated a far more complicated scenario involving Becky. “She asked me to find someone to kill Dr. Schwartz,” Stragaj alleged, suggesting a premeditated motive linked to financial gain. He claimed that Becky may have planned the murder and staged the scene as a robbery—comments that raised eyebrows among investigators and friends of Dr. Schwartz alike.
“I think all signs point back to her. She probably wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger, but she was behind it all,” noted Dr. Robert Patton, a friend and former medical partner of Dr. Schwartz, during the investigation. Friends accused Becky of greed, highlighting her past conviction for embezzling funds from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, an organization she affiliated with out of personal tragedy years prior.
Even during the aftermath of Steven’s passing, Becky’s actions raised red flags. Witnesses recalled her noticeably detached demeanor, with one close friend observing, “I never saw Becky grieving for her husband or her loss.” Disturbingly, she reportedly indicated intentions to have lavish celebrations in the wake of her husband’s death while seeming indifferent to memorial services planned by colleagues.
As the investigation progressed, focus turned back to the Schwartz family dynamics and the lingering question of whether a life insurance payout was the ultimate motive. It became evident that friends and family observed Becky’s desire for financial security as selfish and callous—especially after revelations came to light about Steven’s past and the financial mismanagement that dated back decades.
With Stragaj awaiting trial as the primary suspect, both he and Becky remain in a treacherous limbo—Becky continuing with a new life in Wisconsin while still under the cloud of suspicion. Investigators have not ruled out the idea of further charges against her, as possible motives remain under investigation. “There’s always that possibility,” one of her attorneys stated, leaving a chilling air of uncertainty.
As the story unfolds, Carter Schwartz stands firmly in the pursuit of justice for his father, hoping that those entwined in this intricate plot will ultimately be called to account. “What I want more than anything is for justice to be served. I want the people responsible for this to be held both criminally and civilly liable,” he expressed, balancing the weight of sorrow and the desire for truth in a life marked by tragedy and betrayal.
