Dateline NBC: "The Death of Dr. Schwartz"

Date: November 4, 2025
Reporter: Blaine Alexander
Theme: A brutal murder inside a wealthy Florida doctor’s home exposes hidden family secrets, decades-old crimes, and a web of greed—culminating in a complex civil trial with shocking allegations and a massive verdict.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the 2014 murder of Dr. Stephen Schwartz, a renowned kidney specialist in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The investigation initially seemed to point toward a violent burglary but quickly revealed deep family rifts, shocking criminal histories, and a tangled web of financial intrigue. As the case unfolded, attention zeroed in on two central figures: his wife Rebecca Schwartz and the couple’s trusted handyman, Leo Straga, amidst allegations of betrayal, greed, and long-held secrets. Years of investigation and a high-profile civil trial forced the Schwartz family—and listeners—to grapple with questions of justice, truth, and loyalty.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Discovery of the Murder (03:02–06:36)

• The story begins with Rebecca Schwartz returning from a dinner party on May 28, 2014, calling 911 about a possible burglary.
• Police find Dr. Stephen Schwartz dead at the bottom of a stairwell; the scene is graphic, with evidence of a gunshot and multiple lacerations.
• Detective Dieble theorizes: Dr. Schwartz was shot while at the top of stairs, paralyzed by the wound, then fatally attacked—"He was awake and helpless as the killer finished him off with that cut to the neck." ([07:53])

2. Family’s Shock and Reflection (09:24–13:30)

• Dr. Schwartz is remembered as a beloved father and doctor. Son Carter describes him as “kind and generous... never raise[d] his voice.” ([25:33])
• Insights from clinic staff and family friends: Rebecca, 20 years his junior, managed the office and the couple’s finances; their marriage appeared functional, if imbalanced.

3. Crime Scene Clues: Staged Burglary? (18:55–20:37)

• Police note that the home’s elaborate security system DVR is missing—clearly an inside job.
• Staging: drawers pulled but not ransacked; large dogs in the home apparently unbothered by the perpetrator; the crime seems orchestrated to look like a botched burglary.

4. Suspects: Family Under the Microscope (21:29–27:04)

• Eric Nichols: Rebecca’s son; fingerprints found at the scene but given a solid alibi (proved out-of-state during the murder).
• Ben Nichols: Rebecca’s younger son with a checkered past—including a prior burglary of his mother’s home to fund a drug habit—but he too has an alibi, confirmed by work receipts and colleagues.

5. “Straw Guy” Leo Straga Enters the Frame (27:31–32:38)

• Leo, the family’s Albanian handyman/contractor, is described as a “surrogate son”; very close to Rebecca and Dr. Schwartz.
• He is cooperative with police and provides an alibi, verified by his presence at his birthday party hosted by Rebecca the day of the murder.
• DNA taken from Leo.

6. Decades-Old Murder Secret Comes to Light (35:11–41:32)

• Bombshell Revelation: Seven months after the murder, the press reveals Dr. Schwartz himself had killed a man in 1961 (as a 21-year-old in New Mexico), served a sentence, and was pardoned—then reinvented himself as a respected physician.
• Family and friends stunned; speculation arises about a revenge motive, but police discount the connection due to the time elapsed and Schwartz’s transformed life.

7. The DNA Break and Leo’s Interrogation (41:58–47:14)

• Leo’s DNA is found on the victim’s shirt and pocket.
• Upon confronting police, Leo claims he’s been “framed,” later tells a new story: Rebecca showed up early the morning of the murder, asked him to retrieve a bag from the house, where he found Dr. Schwartz already dead. He admits to touching the body but maintains innocence in the killing.
  • “I’ve been framed. Somehow I’ve been framed. I don’t know how… There is no way in hell my DNA will be in his body.” – Leo Straga ([42:39])
  • “She said, ‘You know why I did it.’” – Leo recalling Rebecca’s alleged confession ([45:17])

8. Suspicion and Allegations Against Rebecca Schwartz (48:42–55:34)

• Multiple people—Carter Schwartz (son), Kyle Smithee (clinic manager), and Dana Nichols (daughter-in-law)—suggest Rebecca had clear motive: greed and looming divorce.
• Rebecca accused of siphoning millions of dollars to her sons from Dr. Schwartz’s estate, unbeknownst to him.
• Characterized by others as manipulative, vindictive, and capable of covering her tracks.
  • “She is the one with means, motive, and opportunity to have done this.” – Carter Schwartz ([50:35])
  • “One of her kind of go to lines was always, ‘I could just kill him.’” – Kyle Smithee ([54:06])

9. Rebecca’s New Life—and Fresh Scandal (57:50–63:31)

• After the murder, Rebecca moves to Wisconsin, creates a new identity (falsely claiming to be a nephrologist), and quickly marries a much younger man.
• Eventually, personal drama (an explosive, widely distributed “divorce letter”) and self-dealing allegations (money hidden in LLCs) further tarnish Rebecca’s image.

10. Civil Trial and Damning Testimonies (65:12–80:27)

• The Schwartz family brings a wrongful death lawsuit; Rebecca, now on her fourth marriage, pleads the fifth repeatedly during depositions.
• Evidence reveals that after Dr. Schwartz’s death, Rebecca shifted millions into her sons’ names, artificially reducing her declared net worth.
• Deposition bombshell: Ben and his wife name an LLC “GFYCS&AM” – “Go F--- Yourself, Carter Schwartz and Aaron Mashek” ([69:36]).
• Dana Nichols (Ben’s wife) testifies Rebecca is “evil” and that she always suspected Rebecca’s involvement from the night of the murder. ([71:42], [80:24])
• Leo, now deported to Albania, pleads guilty to accessory after the fact, maintains Rebecca orchestrated the crime—“Evil. Evil. I’ll take her life in a heartbeat. And I won’t regret it.” – Leo Straga ([72:58])

11. Defensive Strategy and Verdict (80:40–85:45)

• Defense argues: No physical evidence that Rebecca was at the scene; Leo’s DNA only direct forensic link.
• Plaintiffs rely on motive, circumstantial evidence, and a mountain of testimony about character and opportunity.
• Civil jury verdict: Rebecca found liable for her husband’s murder; family awarded almost $200 million.
  • “The court system guarantees you a chance of justice. It doesn’t guarantee you justice. Doesn’t happen all the time. When it happens, it’s glorious.” – Will Florin, plaintiff’s attorney ([85:13])

12. Aftermath & Closure (85:45–87:27)

• Only a fraction of the award will likely be collected, but the family claims justice.
• Civil case conclusion prompts police to close the criminal file, unless new evidence emerges.
• Carter Schwartz: “Finally, the latest development… is a step towards justice. But she is still walking around. She is still free. And I would trade every dime to see true justice served.” ([87:27])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The crime scene looked staged to make it look like a burglary gone bad.” – Detective Dieble ([18:18])
• “There was a very big secret that your dad had.” – Blaine Alexander ([01:34])
• “He was a convicted murderer… Talk about karma.” – Susan Nutting, Dr. Cook’s niece ([39:55])
• “I told my dad, you gotta leave… You gotta divorce this woman.” – Carter Schwartz ([52:20])
• “You need to get a job. I don’t know what we’re doing.” – Rebecca’s text refusing Carter $1,500 for med school ([53:40])
• “I want justice for Dr. Schwartz and Becky to pay for all the wrong and evil things she has done… She doesn’t deserve to be living it up.” – Dana Nichols, during deposition ([80:07])
• “She got so greedy and so sure of herself…” – Carter Schwartz ([50:50])
• “One of her kind of go to lines was, ‘I could just kill him.’” – Kyle Smithee ([54:06])
• “I know so. She’s involved.” – Detective Dieble when asked if Rebecca might be innocent ([87:08])

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |:---|:--------| | 03:02 | Rebecca’s 911 call and discovery of murder | | 07:32 | Detective Dieble reconstructs murder | | 18:55 | Discovery that DVR was missing/staged scene | | 21:29 | Initial forensic evidence points to Eric Nichols | | 27:31 | Introduction of Leo Straga | | 35:11 | Revelation of Dr. Schwartz’s 1961 murder conviction | | 41:58 | DNA breakthrough implicates Leo | | 45:17 | Leo’s claim Rebecca confessed | | 50:35 | Carter: “She is the one with motive and opportunity”| | 54:06 | Kyle: “I could just kill him” | | 65:12 | Civil trial and asset tracing | | 69:36 | Ben reveals meaning of inflammatory LLC name | | 71:42 | Dana Nichols testifies Rebecca is “evil” | | 80:40 | Defense’s arguments | | 85:13 | Civil verdict, $200 million compensation | | 87:27 | Carter on justice and loss |

Tone & Language

The reporting is direct yet empathetic, interweaving investigative detail with personal testimony and raw emotion. There is a recurring motif of betrayal and disillusionment as decades-old and recent secrets alike come to light—leaving both the family and the audience questioning how far greed and duplicity can truly go.

Summary Takeaway

"The Death of Dr. Schwartz" is a chilling study in familial betrayal, hidden pasts, and the complexities of seeking justice when the truth is mired in lies, manipulation, and the shadow of old crimes. The civil trial verdict provides the Schwartz family with a measure of closure, but the lingering suspicion—and Rebecca’s continued freedom—suggests that some mysteries forever haunt those left behind.