Suvechha Sarkar
Dr. Victor Gordon Cook was a respected dentist in the tight-knit community of Hobbs, New Mexico. Like any other day, he was at his office working when his life suddenly came to a halt in November 1961. The shocking crime was soon followed by an investigation that led the authorities to the killers. The case came under the spotlight shortly in the episode titled ‘The Strange Life of Dr. Schwartz’ of CBS’ ’48 Hours.’ Through an extensive interview with one of the persons involved in the crime, it further explores the dark twists about how the killer’s life became intertwined with the crime.
Dr. Victor Cook Was Fatally Shot During a Robbery at His Office
Obediah Richardson and Eugenie V. Cook were living in Ellis County, Texas, when they welcomed their son, Victor Gordon Cook, into the world on December 7, 1908. He grew up in a loving household, always filled with laughter, shared with his siblings: Anna Bennett, Alvis Clinton, Adrian Oran, Paul Blair, James Wendell, Mary Kathryn, Johnie Olene, Obediah Richardson, Polly Imogene, and Audrey Joan. Since childhood, Victor had aspired to do something for others. He ultimately succeeded in earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery and becoming a Dentist. One of his patients described him as a gentleman who always asked about others’ well-being. Eventually, Victor met his soulmate, Erminee Favor. They soon formed an unbreakable bond and exchanged their vows in 1947.
Victor and Erminee settled down at their residence in Hobbs, New Mexico, where he also had his office. However, things took a very dark turn on November 22, 1961. According to reports, Victor was alone at his office when he was brutally shot in the head. A patient who arrived shortly after for an appointment discovered him and immediately called 911. When the authorities arrived at the location, they found him dead from a single gunshot wound to the head at the laboratory workbench area. The gunshot was reportedly from a .25 caliber automatic firearm. When the detectives noticed money missing from his billfold, they suspected it was a robbery gone wrong. Victor’s cause of death was determined to be a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
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Detectives Traced a Deadly Plan for Quick Cash to the Killer and Accomplices
During the initial investigation, officials spoke to several individuals to find a lead. According to reports and one of his patients, James Cecil, Victor used to carry large sums of cash that he received from his patients with him and later deposited it in the bank. Investigators reportedly learned that, as the local dentist, Victor’s habit of keeping cash with him was known to many in the area. Further inspection led the authorities to a man named Steven Schwartz, who was 21 at the time. As per his former friend, Phillip Dyer, Steven was a pre-med dropout from the University of New Mexico at that time and allegedly had some gambling debt.
Phillip claimed that to pay off that debt, Steven decided to rob Victor and reportedly planned it with several others. When officials arrested Steven a few days after the murder, he confessed that he committed the robbery because he was “broke.” According to official records, Steven wanted a mode of travel to Victor’s office for that fateful day. So, he reportedly sought help from Phillip since his close friend had a car. Phillip stated that on November 22, he drove Steven to the doctor’s office in that vehicle and allegedly didn’t believe that his friend was going to go through with the robbery. However, reports state that Steven showed Phillip a .25 caliber automatic gun.
Phillip claimed that he decided to back down at the last moment. Hence, he reportedly parked the car just two blocks away from Victor’s office and walked away. According to Steven’s confession, he went into the office and threatened Victor with the gun. Reports state that when Victor refused to give the money, Steven claimed that an argument ensued between them. Steven claimed that when he looked away for a few moments, Victor grabbed his hand, and the gun allegedly went off. Following that, Steven had reportedly stolen $463 from Victor’s billfold. Reports indicate that Steven then got in the car and picked up Phillip, who was walking away, and confessed to him about shooting Victor.
Phillip was also arrested along with five others for their involvement. Shortly after, Steven pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. In March 1962, he was reportedly placed into custody in the New Mexico corrections system. Steven was eventually granted parole in 1971 after serving 9 years in prison, and by 1977, he received a commuted sentence. Similarly, Phillip’s sentencing was also reduced, and he reportedly served 1 year in prison. However, there are no official reports that provide information about the other individuals who were arrested.
