M. William Phelps

He had founded the Virginia Biotechnology Association and been at the Center for Innovative Technology, CIT, since the company started in 1986.

a handsome guy in a Leslie Nielsen sort of way with a bit of middle-aged weight around his belly, Schwartz's coworkers, family, and friends told me the guy was serious about life and work, but also had a soft humorous side to him as well.

In other words, the polar opposite of a man you'd think was hated enough by someone to want to stab him 31 times inside his own home.

Terry Woodsworth, retired today, first met Dr. Schwartz in 1986.

Schwartz was the oldest of seven siblings.

A sister later lamented Schwartz was a, quote, remarkable older brother who always had a gentle touch.

Working alongside him for over a decade, Terry got to know Dr. Schwartz on a more personal level.

During that time, Schwartz's wife Joan had become ill with lung cancer.

It changed him.

Before Joan got sick, he was more outgoing and social.

But as she became sicker and he had to face the fact that he'd soon be a widower, he retreated more into himself and became quieter.

Joan Schwartz's death crushed the guy.

Their kids were in their late teens and early 20s at the time, and raising them now fell squarely on his shoulders.

Even when Joan was alive, the family had its share of rocky times.

But once she was gone, Clara, the youngest, took it the hardest.

That's Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a forensic psychologist, who has written about this case.

She's talking about Clara Schwartz, who actually found her mother's body.

Dr. Schwartz, a single father, struggled with how to deal with Clara and get her through high school.

They lived together then on the farm where there was plenty to do and he expected her, as most parents would, to step up.

Dr. Schwartz's co-worker Terry says as Dr. Schwartz's kids grew older, he opened up about how proud he was of Jesse, the oldest, Michelle, the middle child, and even the youngest, Clara.