Dateline revisits the 2014 killing of Florida kidney physician Steven Schwartz in an episode titled The Dying of Dr. Schwartz. The printed focuses on the reported housebreaking name, the invention contained in the Tarpon Springs residence, and the lengthy path that adopted.
The episode tracks how the case moved from an obvious break-in to a murder inquiry, with questions on motive and cash. It additionally notes later courtroom exercise and explains how viewers can watch the episode.
Case background for Dateline: The Dying of Dr. Schwartz
Steven Schwartz, 74, was a widely known nephrologist who lived on the Gulf Coast. On a night in late Might 2014, his spouse reported a housebreaking at their home. Police went inside and located the physician useless. Investigators later documented gunshot wounds and different accidents. From that time, the main focus shifted from property crimes to a killing.
Detectives reviewed the scene, cell information, and motion out and in of the residence. A longtime contractor entered the image. Civil litigation arrived years later, alleging embezzlement and a monetary motive.
A jury in 2025 discovered his widow, Rebecca Schwartz, accountable in a wrongful dying swimsuit and set damages at $200 million, in response to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Felony costs towards her haven’t been filed.
The handyman, Anton Leo Stragaj, pleaded responsible to accent after the actual fact and was deported to Albania after his launch. These steps type the spine of the timeline beneath and body what Dateline lays out on air.
Timeline of occasions for Dateline: The Dying of Dr. Schwartz
Might 28, 2014: Discovery on the Tarpon Springs residence
That night, a 911 name reported a housebreaking. Officers arrived and located Steven Schwartz deceased contained in the residence. Early speak of a break-in gave strategy to a murder scene. The physician had been shot. There have been additionally experiences of stabbing and strangulation accidents. Gadgets within the rooms appeared rummaged.
What regarded like theft might have been staged, investigators later recommended. Nobody was charged with homicide. Allegations about motive and planning surfaced in later court docket filings and interviews.
April 2015 to 2022: DNA lead, arrest, plea, and deportation
A couple of 12 months after the killing, police held a briefing on forensic testing. DNA from clothes tied the scene to the household’s longtime contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. An arrest adopted. Years later, he pleaded responsible to accent after the actual fact. He reportedly admitted to actions after the killing however denied committing the homicide. He was sentenced and deported to Albania after his launch.
A lot of the general public document on this section covers lab outcomes, cellphone information that didn’t match an alibi, and steps taken to take away surveillance storage. Claims about who deliberate the crime remained disputed and are described as allegedly mentioned or performed by the folks concerned.
March 2025: Civil verdict and damages
A Pinellas County jury heard a wrongful dying swimsuit filed by the physician’s kids. The panel discovered the widow accountable in civil court docket and awarded 2 hundred million {dollars}. The ruling described her as having unlawfully and deliberately killed, or taken half in procuring the dying of, Steven Schwartz.
In accordance with FOX 13 Tampa Bay, the household’s lawyer argued a cash motive and outlined transactions that predated the killing. The defendant has not been criminally charged. On the time of that report, prosecutors said the felony file remained open.
NBC schedules Dateline: The Dying of Dr. Schwartz for 9:00 pm on October 31. Blayne Alexander experiences the episode. The episode consists of interviews with relations, investigators, authorized consultants, and the Albanian contractor. Anticipate this system to retrace the 2014 scene, the DNA lead, the plea, and the civil verdict. Claims about motive and planning are described as reportedly made by witnesses or attorneys.
Dateline additionally streams on fuboTV, NBC, Peacock Premium, and Peacock Premium Plus. Choose episodes of Dateline can be found to look at totally free on Spectrum On Demand.
Additionally learn: Is there a brand new episode of Dateline this week (October 31, 2025)? Defined
Edited by Preethika Vijayakumar
