Wife of Tarpon Springs doctor slain in 2014 ordered to pay 200 million

Dr. Steven Schwartz was tragically murdered in 2014, and a recent civil jury found his stepmother, Rebecca Schwartz, liable for his wrongful death, resulting in a staggering award of nearly $200 million to his children. The lawsuit revealed a disturbing narrative of Rebecca’s alleged embezzlement of funds and erratic behavior prior to the murder, with testimonies from over a dozen witnesses detailing her motives. Although she has not been criminally charged, the Pinellas state attorney confirmed that the investigation remains active. The evidence presented during the trial included Rebecca's extravagant spending of the family’s estimated $30 million fortune on various ventures, such as a marijuana growhouse and rental properties.

The attorney for the stepchildren expressed hope in recovering tens of millions, despite acknowledging the difficulty of retrieving the full award amount. This verdict not only represents a potential financial recovery for the family but also serves as a crucial step toward accountability in a case that has lingered for over a decade. The story underscores the complex intersection of wealth, family dynamics, and legal battles in the aftermath of violent crime. With the investigation still open, the possibility of criminal charges against Rebecca Schwartz remains a critical aspect of this ongoing saga.