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“And the first words outta my mouth on that phone call were: ‘It’s Becky, Ben or a combination thereof. I think now I can relate to what they mean by that - just a feeling of helplessness,” Carter replied.īy the time he landed back in the States, Carter called his uncle - certain he knew who killed his father, because it struck him that to Becky, Dr. “It was feeling numb when people describe it. “What do you do, stuck in an airport?” Van Sant asked. “One of, if not the worst moment of my life,” said Carter.Ĭarter Schwartz was on the way home after travelling in Japan when he got word of his father’s murder. He had been strangled, shot and stabbed.ĩ11 call "rehearsed" say attorneys of murder victim's family 02:58 Police arrived and quickly entered the home looking for a possible intruder. Rebecca Schwartz: I walked in the bedroom, into the closet and all the drawers were opened. Rebecca Schwartz: Hi, somebody – I just walked in to my house and somebody robbed my house. 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.ĩ11 Operator: Tarpon Springs Police may I help you? Even as a young child, I could see she wasn’t there because she loved him,” he said.īut all that family turmoil was hidden, and to most who knew him, Dr. “It became very apparent early on, her motive was financial. “I think you’d have to be willfully ignorant not to see it,” he replied.Ĭarter always believed the main reason Becky was with his father was because she wanted to spend his money. And me and my siblings are kind being left out here.’” Van Sant asked Carter. “Would you look out and see, ‘All this money is going to Rebecca and her children. Her son, Eric, even got a Verizon store to run in Wisconsin. Carter says she bought them houses, cars, clothing, and jewelry for herself. He says his relationship with her was “always uneasy.”īecky lavished luxury on herself and her own sons - paying for their weddings. That’s what brothers do.’”Ĭarter also struggled with Becky. I’m really short and - and don’t tell my mom. “And he said, ‘Let me borrow $300 outta your paycheck.’ You know, ‘I gotta pay this guy. In 2011, Ben was arrested and convicted of stealing jewelry from the Schwartz home. If not, here’s a few bucks a month for your phone bill.’”
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“…he was found many times - on death’s door nearly overdosed and she disowned him,” Carter explained. Becky’s son, Ben, had ongoing drug issues, according to Carter. “We sort of learned to coexist,” said Carter.īut with a blended family came problems. Schwartz had Carter and two other children from his previous relationships. “Early on, I didn’t like dislike ‘em, but that faded pretty quickly,” he replied. “Did you get along with her children?” Van Sant asked Carter Schwartz. Becky had two sons from her previous marriages, including Ben. She even changed her name to Schwartz - though they didn’t actually marry until 2012. Schwartz had met in the late 1990s through a dating service, and were a committed couple. “I mean, you’re just outta the picture.” Steven and Becky Schwartzīecky and Dr. “And if you cross her … then, you know, you’re basically gone,” Patrick Olive said. Welcome.’ You know, everything was just over the top with her,” said April Cox.īut her one-time friends, April Cox and Patrick Olive, who helped her manage the Schwartz properties, say Becky could also be a tough cookie.
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“If I had to describe her, very energetic, southern charm, hospitality, ‘Come in. She managed both his medical office and investments. Besides his medical practice, he owned a vast array of rental properties and lived in an expensive waterfront home with his second wife, Becky. Schwartz had become very wealthy -worth somewhere between $20 and 30 million. He was just a wonderful guy who would do anything for anyone.”Īnd Dr. “He was dedicated to medicine like no physician I’ve ever known. “Steve was your classic gentle giant … a guy who had the heart of a bear,” Dr. “Patients, colleagues - a great career,” Van Sant noted.ĭoctor Schwartz had a thriving practice as a kidney specialist in Tampa, Florida. “I would say that’s a very accurate statement,” Carter replied. “He was beloved in many ways, was he not?” Van Sant asked. “Everyone seems to universally hold such a high respect for him,” said Carter. The third-year medical student is following in his father’s footsteps. “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. To say Steven Schwartz’s life was extraordinary, as his son, Carter, does, is an understatement. Produced by Alec Sirken, Ryan Smith and Michelle Feuer
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