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Who Was Dr. Steven Schwartz & What Happened to Him? 2025 Update & Profile

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Steven Schwartz was born into a prominent New York family, the son of a doctor, and destined for a future in medicine. But his early years took a harrowing detour. In 1961, at age 21, Schwartz was involved in the murder of Dr. Victor Cook, a well-known dentist in Hobbs, New Mexico. Driven by financial desperation and a mounting gambling habit, Schwartz convinced an acquaintance, Phillip Dyer, to help him rob Dr. Cook, who was rumored to carry large amounts of cash.

The robbery turned fatal. Schwartz fatally shot Dr. Cook in the head after a struggle, later stealing $463 from the victim. Dyer, who backed out at the last minute, was still convicted as an accessory and served one year in prison. Schwartz was sentenced to nine years. Both men eventually received pardons from the Governor of New Mexico.

Prison proved to be a turning point for Schwartz. After serving his sentence, he enrolled in college and later attended medical school in Torino, Italy. He returned to the U.S. as a changed man, determined to atone for his past.

A Respected Doctor and Community Leader

Settling in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Steven Schwartz became a leading kidney specialist. His medical peers and patients widely respected him for his dedication and compassion. He built a successful nephrology practice and amassed significant wealth through real estate investments, estimated between $20 and $30 million.

Colleagues described him as generous and kind. Dr. Robert Patton, his close medical partner, referred to Schwartz as “a classic gentle giant” who would do anything for anyone. Patients recalled him as someone who would quietly pay medical bills for those in need, showing deep empathy in his work.

He married Rebecca Schwartz in 2012 after years together. Their life in a waterfront Tarpon Springs mansion appeared idyllic to outsiders. However, beneath the surface, troubling family tensions simmered. The blending of his children from a previous marriage with Rebecca’s sons created a rift—particularly with his son Carter, who followed in his father’s footsteps into medicine.

The 2014 Murder and the Suspicion That Followed

On May 28, 2014, Dr. Schwartz was found dead in his home. He had been shot twice in the head, stabbed, and strangled with his own necktie. His wife, Rebecca, called 911, claiming a burglary had occurred while she was out. But investigators soon found inconsistencies in the scene. The home’s security system hard drive had been removed, and no valuables were missing.

The focus of the investigation turned to Anton “Leo” Stragaj, a handyman and longtime employee of the Schwartzes. Stragaj’s DNA was found on the victim, and he admitted to being in the house that day. He claimed Rebecca sent him to retrieve her purse and that he discovered the body. According to Stragaj, she had previously asked him to help find someone to kill her husband.

Despite these allegations, only Stragaj was charged criminally. He eventually pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and was deported to Albania. Rebecca was never charged in criminal court, but suspicion around her never faded.

A Life Undone: Financial Motives and Civil Trial

Following Dr. Schwartz’s death, questions arose about his finances. His children alleged that Rebecca had embezzled money from the family’s medical practice and diverted assets for her own benefit and her children’s. There were also claims that she pressured Schwartz into changing his will, cutting his children out of the estate.

In 2016, Dr. Schwartz’s children filed a wrongful death lawsuit. During the proceedings, evidence mounted against Rebecca. Witnesses testified that she had a history of financial manipulation, including a prior felony conviction for embezzling from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

In March 2025, a Pinellas County jury ruled that Rebecca Schwartz had “unlawfully and intentionally killed, or participated in procuring the death” of her husband. She was ordered to pay his children $200 million in damages. The verdict offered civil justice, even as criminal charges remained elusive.

Legacy of a Complicated Man

Dr. Steven Schwartz’s life was a paradox. In his youth, he took a life in a botched robbery. For the next five decades, he dedicated himself to saving lives and became a beloved figure in Tampa’s medical community. Those who knew him later in life saw only the doctor, the philanthropist, the father.

Yet the violence that ended his life brought his past full circle. It highlighted the fragility of redemption when surrounded by betrayal and greed. His son Carter, speaking in the aftermath of the civil verdict, said he hoped to carry on his father’s legacy by living a life of service and integrity.

The story of Dr. Steven Schwartz is not just one of murder and mystery. It is also a reflection on the complexity of human lives—the possibility of profound change, and the tragedy of trust misplaced. His murder remains a haunting reminder that even a life rebuilt with purpose can be shattered by those closest to home.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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