Florida Cardiologist Dr. Steven Schwartz’s 2014 Murder: Wife Found Civilly Responsible in Shocking Case

Florida Cardiologist Dr. Steven Schwartz’s 2014 Murder: Wife Found Civilly Responsible in Shocking Case

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The brutal 2014 killing of Dr. Steven Schwartz, a well-known and highly respected Florida cardiologist, remains one of the most haunting cases to grip the Tampa Bay area — a case that took another dramatic turn years later when his wife, Rebecca “Becky” Schwartz, was found civilly responsible for his death.

Dr. Schwartz, 74, was discovered dead inside his upscale waterfront Belleair home on May 28, 2014. Police described the scene as “gruesome” — the doctor had been stabbed, beaten, and strangled, suggesting a violent struggle. The discovery shocked the quiet, affluent community, where Dr. Schwartz had been known as a successful businessman and philanthropist.

Investigators initially focused their attention on the family’s handyman, Benjamin Smalley, who worked for the Schwartzes and had access to the property. Smalley was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder after DNA and forensic evidence linked him to the scene. However, prosecutors would later argue that the killing was not a random act — but rather a murder-for-hire plot, orchestrated by Dr. Schwartz’s wife.

A Marriage Marked by Wealth and Tension

Court documents and testimonies revealed a complicated marriage between Steven and Rebecca Schwartz. Dr. Schwartz was the primary earner, having built his wealth through decades in medicine and real estate investments. Friends described the relationship as strained, noting financial disputes and allegations of infidelity that caused deep tension within the household.

At the time of his death, Dr. Schwartz had been considering changes to his will — a decision that, according to investigators, could have dramatically altered his wife’s financial situation. These revelations fueled speculation that money may have been a possible motive.

Criminal Case Against the Handyman

Benjamin Smalley was convicted of Dr. Schwartz’s murder in 2017 and sentenced to life in prison. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Smalley had been motivated by financial desperation and possibly influenced or encouraged by someone close to the victim.

Although Smalley never directly implicated Rebecca Schwartz in the murder, the circumstances surrounding the killing — including inconsistencies in her statements and her behavior following her husband’s death — drew intense scrutiny from both investigators and the public.

Civil Case Brings a Stunning Verdict

Years after the criminal proceedings, Dr. Schwartz’s children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against their stepmother, Rebecca Schwartz, accusing her of being complicit in the murder and benefiting from their father’s death.

In 2022, a civil jury in Pinellas County found Rebecca Schwartz civilly responsible for Dr. Steven Schwartz’s death. The ruling did not carry criminal penalties but held her financially accountable, determining that she had played a role in orchestrating or enabling the events that led to his murder.

Under Florida law, the standard of proof in a civil case is significantly lower than in a criminal case — requiring only a “preponderance of the evidence” rather than proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The jury awarded millions of dollars in damages to Dr. Schwartz’s estate and his children, marking a symbolic but significant victory for the family, who had long sought justice and closure.

Family’s Reaction and Lasting Impact

In emotional statements following the verdict, Dr. Schwartz’s children expressed relief that the truth had finally been acknowledged, even if criminal charges were never brought against their stepmother. “We’ve waited years for someone to hold her accountable,” one family member said. “Our father didn’t deserve what happened to him, and now there’s at least some measure of justice.”

Rebecca Schwartz, who has consistently denied any involvement in her husband’s death, did not attend parts of the civil trial and has not publicly commented on the verdict.

Nearly a decade later, the murder of Dr. Steven Schwartz continues to resonate across Florida — a tragic story of wealth, betrayal, and violence that left a once-prominent family forever scarred.

Though one man sits behind bars for the killing and another verdict has held Rebecca Schwartz financially liable, lingering questions remain about what truly happened inside the Belleair mansion that spring morning in 2014 — and whether the full story will ever truly be known.