M. William Phelps

And almost immediately, as he begins thinking about the crime scene, D. Benedetto's thoughts go toward motive.

Then something comes up.

The pathologist confirms by late into the night of the 10th that Dr. Schwartz had actually been murdered on Saturday, December 8th, probably in the evening.

So Schwartz had been dead for two days before his body was discovered.

And the pathologist reveals something else, the weapon.

They are now almost certain was not a knife, but a sharp, slightly curved object, definitely similar, but with a much longer blade.

This changes the game for investigators.

Now they need to look back and focus on two days before Schwartz's body was found, which can often complicate matters.

Effectively, your killer is now two days ahead of you.

At 57 years old, Dr. Robert Schwartz was one of the most respected scientists in his field.

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.