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Rebecca Schwartz's attorneys on why they say Leo Stragaj killed her husband

February 12, 2017 / 03:17

This episode discusses the murder of Dr. Steven Schwarz on May 28, 2014, by Leo Straga, who had a long-term relationship with the Schwarz family. Key topics include the motive behind the murder, the circumstances leading to the crime, and the financial aspects of Straga's life.

The conversation reveals that Leo Straga had keys to the Schwarz home for maintenance work and likely entered thinking Dr. Schwarz had already left for the hospital. When he encountered Dr. Schwarz, a confrontation ensued, leading to the murder to eliminate a witness.

Straga's financial situation is debated, with claims that he was earning $130,000 a year and did not need money, raising questions about his motive for theft. The discussion also touches on the relationship between Straga and the Schwarz family, particularly Rebecca Schwarz, who was generous with him.

Experts speculate on possible motives, including fear of losing his job and the financial support he received from the family. The episode questions how someone with no criminal record and a long-standing relationship could commit such a violent act.

Overall, the episode presents a complex view of the events surrounding Dr. Schwarz's murder, examining the psychological and financial factors that may have influenced Straga's actions.

TLDR

Leo Straga murdered Dr. Steven Schwarz during a burglary, driven by financial motives and fear of losing support from the family.

Episode

3:17
00:00:00
what do you believe happened on May 28th 2014 well the only thing I can tell you
00:00:06
that we believed happened is that Leo had keys to the home uh to do maintenance work and so forth that he
00:00:12
let himself in um he probably thought that Dr Schwarz had already left for the hospital uh and Dr Schwarz had not He
00:00:22
Came Upon Dr Schwarz Dr Schwarz probably said what the hell are you doing in my home uh and uh at that point in time Leo
00:00:31
who was there to commit the burglary to make the theft had no choice but to kill
00:00:35
the only witness that could finger him and killed Dr Schwarz Leo claims though he was in in a financially good place
00:00:44
that he was making about $130,000 a year that he didn't need money why would he be going over to do
00:00:51
some petty theft over at the Schwarz house well rich people steal from department stores uh no matter how much
00:01:00
he was paid he knew that there was Cash inside that house uh it was ready cash it was I'll call it vas cash uh you know
00:01:09
maybe he was told uh by the person that cleaned that house uh what he could get from it I don't know uh I know Leo
00:01:16
denies that but uh he certainly is the killer why do you believe Leo straga murdered Dr Steven
00:01:24
Schwarz you know there there's a couple theories as to why Leo straga might have
00:01:29
killed Dr Schwarz one could be that he went in for other motives which was to take jewelry and money and happened upon
00:01:36
him and felt he had no choice another is he could have seen his gravy train coming to an end it was Rebecca Schwarz
00:01:43
who did most of the overseeing of Leo straga she's the one who provided for his work she was very generous with him
00:01:53
I think that because she was working so hard for Dr Schwarz to be able to retire
00:01:57
Leo saw that as a threat that he was going to be home more he was going to be overseeing it more and he was not as
00:02:03
liberal with the money as Rebecca was to have this work done so Leo stroga had no
00:02:10
criminal record is that true that's my understanding he had a relationship with the Schwarz family of more than 15 years
00:02:17
right correct by according to family members friends he had a loving relationship with this with this couple
00:02:25
that Rebecca referred to him at times as son and he would call her mom correct he had a good life in
00:02:33
Florida give me a case that he would want to suddenly turn into this vicious killer doesn't make sense well you're
00:02:40
assuming that he went there to commit that murder uh and he may very well have done it as Mrs rivini indicated that he
00:02:46
felt that Dr schwarz's retirement might jeopardize that 130,000 but he also could have happened
00:02:53
on Dr Schwarz and I'm not I'm not discounting that that he went over there to um uh to commit the theft and that Dr
00:03:00
Schwarz had not left I think normally speaking Dr Schwarz would would have left by then to go to the hospital he
00:03:07
was obviously on his way out because he was dressed just like he normally does to go to the hospital so Leo may have
00:03:12
come upon him and uh had no choice but to kill the witness

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Episode Highlights

  • Motive for Murder
    Speculations arise about Leo's motives, including financial fears and theft gone wrong.
    “Leo may have come upon him and had no choice but to kill the witness.”
    @ 03m 15s
    February 12, 2017

Episode Quotes

  • Why would he be going over to do some petty theft?
    Rebecca Schwartz's attorneys on why they say Leo Stragaj killed her husband
  • He saw that as a threat that he was going to be home more.
    Rebecca Schwartz's attorneys on why they say Leo Stragaj killed her husband
  • It doesn't make sense for him to suddenly turn into this vicious killer.
    Rebecca Schwartz's attorneys on why they say Leo Stragaj killed her husband

Key Moments

  • Burglary Gone Wrong00:31
  • Financial Tensions02:00
  • Unexpected Violence03:15

Words per Minute Over Time

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