Family of Mark Sievers speaks out before ’48 Hours’ special

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. The family of Mark Sievers, the man accused of orchestrating his wife’s murder, are speaking out for the first time shortly before the “48 Hours” special on the case.

Dr. Teresa Sievers, a beloved Bonita Springs holistic doctor, was bludgeoned to death with a hammer inside her home in June 2015.

Two months after Teresa Sievers’ death, Jimmy Ray Rodgers and Wayne Wright were arrested from Missouri. Several months later, Mark Sievers was arrested and accused of plotting the murder.

Although his family insisted he’s not capable of murder, Joe Viavaca, a Fort Myers-based defense attorney, says their testimony wouldn’t hold up in court.

“You’re not allowed to use character evidence, so you’re not allowed to say that I’m a good person or a bad person — it’s irrelevant,” he said. “You could be a great person and have a bad day, you could be a bad person and have a good day.”

Mark Sievers’ family also suggests Wright was obsessed with Mark and may have committed the crime on his own, according to 48 Hours reporter Erin Moriarty.

He is now facing first-degree murder charges amid the ongoing trial.

Neighbors believe there was always something off about Mark Sievers and are glad he’s in prison, they said.

The special is scheduled to air Saturday at 10 p.m.