Dr. Steven Schwartz murder case on Dateline- A complete timeline of events

Dateline revisits the 2014 killing of Florida kidney doctor Steven Schwartz in an episode titled The Death of Dr. Schwartz. The broadcast focuses on the reported burglary call, the discovery inside the Tarpon Springs home, and the long path that followed.

The episode tracks how the case moved from an apparent break-in to a homicide inquiry, with questions about motive and money. It also notes later courtroom activity and explains how viewers can watch the episode.

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Case background for Dateline: The Death of Dr. Schwartz

Steven Schwartz, 74, was a well-known nephrologist who lived on the Gulf Coast. On an evening in late May 2014, his wife reported a burglary at their house. Police went inside and found the doctor dead. Investigators later documented gunshot wounds and other injuries. From that point, the focus shifted from property crimes to a killing.

Officers enter the residence and find Steven Schwartz deceased inside the home (Image via Pexels)

Detectives reviewed the scene, cell records, and movement in and out of the residence. A longtime contractor entered the picture. Civil litigation arrived years later, alleging embezzlement and a financial motive.

A jury in 2025 found his widow, Rebecca Schwartz, responsible in a wrongful death suit and set damages at $200 million, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Criminal charges against her have not been filed.

The handyman, Anton Leo Stragaj, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and was deported to Albania after his release. Those steps form the backbone of the timeline below and frame what Dateline lays out on air.

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Timeline of events for Dateline: The Death of Dr. Schwartz

May 28, 2014: Discovery at the Tarpon Springs home

That evening, a 911 call reported a burglary. Officers arrived and found Steven Schwartz deceased inside the residence. Early talk of a break-in gave way to a homicide scene. The doctor had been shot. There were also reports of stabbing and strangulation injuries. Items in the rooms appeared rummaged.

What looked like theft could have been staged, investigators later suggested. No one was charged with murder. Allegations about motive and planning surfaced in later court filings and interviews.

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April 2015 to 2022: DNA lead, arrest, plea, and deportation

About a year after the killing, police held a briefing on forensic testing. DNA from clothing tied the scene to the family’s longtime contractor, Anton Leo Stragaj. An arrest followed. Years later, he pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. He reportedly admitted to actions after the killing but denied committing the murder. He was sentenced and deported to Albania after his release.

Investigators announce a DNA lead that points to a longtime contractor in 2015 (Image via Unsplash)

Much of the public record in this phase covers lab results, phone data that did not match an alibi, and steps taken to remove surveillance storage. Claims about who planned the crime remained disputed and are described as allegedly said or done by the people involved.

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March 2025: Civil verdict and damages

A Pinellas County jury heard a wrongful death suit filed by the doctor’s children. The panel found the widow responsible in civil court and awarded two hundred million dollars. The ruling described her as having unlawfully and intentionally killed, or taken part in procuring the death of, Steven Schwartz.

According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, the family’s attorney argued a money motive and outlined transactions that predated the killing. The defendant has not been criminally charged. At the time of that report, prosecutors stated the criminal file remained open.

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NBC schedules Dateline: The Death of Dr. Schwartz for 9:00 pm on October 31. Blayne Alexander reports the episode. The episode includes interviews with family members, investigators, legal experts, and the Albanian contractor. Expect the program 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 also streams on fuboTV, NBC, Peacock Premium, and Peacock Premium Plus. Select episodes of Dateline are available to watch for free on Spectrum On Demand.

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Also read: Is there a new episode of Dateline this week (October 31, 2025)? Explained

Edited by Preethika Vijayakumar