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The murder of Dr. Steven Schwartz in 2014 remains one of Florida's most tragic cases. Dateline covered the horrific story that shocked the medical community.
Dr. Steven Schwatz was a respected and recognized kidney specialist who died in his own home under suspicious conditions. What initially appeared to be a case of burglary evolved into something much more intense.
His death involved greed, betrayal, and careful scheming. The case went on for over a decade. His wife called 911, claiming a burglary had occurred. However, investigators found evidence that suggested a very different tale.
The truth involved secret schemes, stolen money, and a staged crime scene. Dateline audiences learned how a trusted support can hide potentially terrible intentions. The case illustrates the extent to which some individuals will go for financial gain. It left a family torn apart and a community in a state of shock.
Dateline: All about Dr. Steven Schwartz
Dr. Steven Schwartz was 74 years old. He was a renowned kidney specialist in Florida, admired and respected by his patients.
Schwartz lived with his wife, Rebecca, and had three children from his previous marriage. On a morning in May 2014, something tragic occurred. Dr. Steven Schwartz was discovered dead in his garage. Someone shot him twice in the head.
His wife, Rebecca, found him dead and called the cops right away. She mentioned the burglar killed her husband. The crime scene appeared to be a robbery, but there were too many inconsistencies to be overlooked.
The investigation and crime scene
The crime scene did not make sense. Rebecca claimed a potential burglary. But things failed to add up. The camera footage of the scene went missing, and someone tried stealing bullets from the crime scene.
A butcher knife was present at the scene. These things did not sit well with the narrative of random burglary. Cops looked at a handyman who worked for the family. They discovered his DNA on Dr. Schwartz's clothes. His phone records did not match what he mentioned in the interview.
He later reportedly confessed that he was involved in the murder. This revelation sent him to jail, and the evidence hinted that he cleaned up the crime scene.
Schwartz's wealth was considered the reason behind the murder. Rebecca had been stealing money and embezzling from his funds to her biological kids from her former marriage.
Dateline depicted that Dr. Schwartz learnt of his wife's schemes. He discovered this fraud through a slip-up when Rebecca bought a phone with his money for her sons. He threatened to divorce her following that.
The forensic evidence hinted that, according to the sequence of the murder, Dr. Schwartz was leaving for work when someone shot him in the head.
Phone records proved the handyman was involved. Money records showed Rebecca had been stealing for years. Every clue pointed to her.
The final verdict and justice via
Dateline
Despite the hints, there was no evidence of Rebecca's involvement. She was never charged. This shocked people who watched Dateline.
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The tragic case had many loopholes. But the evidence was still compelling. In March 2025, a civil court ruled in a case filed by Dr. Steven Schwartz's three children. The jury ordered her to pay $200 million. The lawyer mentioned that the family may get $10 million or $20 million.
Also See: Dateline: Written in Blood - A complete investigation overview of the Karen Pannell case, explored
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