Clara Jane Schwartz was born in 1981 to Robert Schwartz, a renowned biophysicist specializing in DNA research, and his wife, who passed away from cancer prior to the events leading to Robert's death. Clara was one of three siblings and pursued higher education at James Madison University in Virginia, where she was a sophomore majoring in physics at the time of her father's murder. Described as an intelligent and creative individual, Clara had a keen interest in fantasy role-playing games, which she often engaged in with her friends.

She created a game called "Underworld," in which she assumed the persona of "Lord Chaos," the overlord of a fantasy realm. Through this game, Clara developed close relationships with individuals who shared her enthusiasm for fantasy and the occult. Among her circle were Kyle Hulbert, an 18-year-old with a history of mental illness; Michael Pfohl, 21; and Katherine Inglis, 19. These friendships played a pivotal role in the tragic events that unfolded in December 2001. ​

On December 8, 2001, Robert Schwartz was brutally murdered in his Leesburg, Virginia, home. He was stabbed multiple times with a two-foot sword, and an "X" was carved into the back of his neck. The investigation quickly led authorities to Clara and her acquaintances. Evidence revealed that Clara had orchestrated her father's murder, manipulating her friends through the narrative of their role-playing game. She convinced Kyle Hulbert that her father was abusive and posed a threat to her safety, leading Hulbert to believe that killing Robert was a necessary act of protection. On the night of the murder, Pfohl drove Hulbert to the Schwartz residence, where Hulbert committed the fatal stabbing while Pfohl and Inglis waited nearby. Clara was not present at the scene but was later found to have been the mastermind behind the plot. 

In February 2002, Clara was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and two counts of solicitation to commit murder. During her trial in October 2002, the prosecution presented evidence of Clara's manipulative tactics and her use of the fantasy game to influence her friends. The defense argued that Hulbert acted independently due to his mental health issues. However, the jury found Clara guilty on all charges, and she was sentenced to 48 years in prison on February 10, 2003. Her accomplices also faced legal consequences: Kyle Hulbert received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, Michael Pfohl was sentenced to 18 years, and Katherine Inglis served a one-year sentence for conspiracy to commit murder.