In Northwest Washington, D.C., an 85-year-old man is accused of fatally stabbing his 81-year-old wife following an argument over pancakes, officials announced on Friday, December 15, 2023.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C., the altercation occurred when Steven Schwartz, who had recently been hospitalized and lost significant weight, refused to eat the pancakes prepared by his wife, Sharron Hilda Schwartz.
Mrs. Schwartz was concerned about her husband’s health and insisted he eat to regain his strength. The argument escalated, leading Steven Schwartz to fatally stab his wife in the back.
Police responded to the scene at an apartment near Corcoran Street and 13th Street in Northwest D.C. around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2023.
They found Sharon by the front door with a fatal stab wound. Her husband was discovered upstairs with self-inflicted injuries. Both were rushed to the hospital, where Sharron was pronounced dead.
Steven’s stepson, who called 911 after being alerted by neighbors about the disturbance, found his stepfather on his knees beside his wife. The stepson initially thought she had fallen down the stairs until Schwartz handed over a knife, confessing to stabbing both his wife and himself.
The suspect appeared confused and distressed during questioning, expressing disbelief and remorse over the incident. He mentioned suffering from “eating diversion” and depression, and he had recently suffered a stroke, which significantly impacted his mental and physical health.
In his statement to the police, he admitted that the argument began when he refused the pancakes and escalated when a plate was thrown against the wall. He grabbed a carving knife and attacked his wife. Despite his self-inflicted injuries, his condition was not life-threatening. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.
Steven Schwartz, who had been married to Sharron for 40 years, pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge ordered him held without bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 2, 2024.