NEW RIVER, AZ - Authorities said that a beloved pastor was found dead with his arms spread out in his bed and his hands pinned to the wall in a chilling crime scene.
According to FOX10, the pastor, identified as 76-year-old William "Bill" Schonemann also appeared to have significant injuries. He was found dead inside his home around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28th and for the first few days of the investigation, law enforcement did not reveal much information.
However, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the death of the pastor was a homicide. The New York Post reported that authorities have yet to announce if they have a suspect or motive for the sadistic murder. Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputy Will Jinks said, "Based on observations at the scene, it appeared there may have been foul play."
He added, "MCSO is actively working the case. There are specific and unique circumstances to this case that we are not at liberty to discuss to ensure we keep the integrity of the investigation." Despite authorities saying there was no threat to the community, the pastor's killing has sparked fear among churchgoers and locals.
Schonemann's neighbor Mike Anders said, "I mean, we locked our doors last night. It's just something that we are just not used to doing. Everybody is just, until we know what's going on, we don't know if it was a family member, or we don't know what, who could do this to him."
Local resident Emily Brean said, "Honestly, I was shocked because New River is so small ... I leave my keys in my vehicles, don't lock my door and things like that. Why are you gonna murder a pastor or minister? You know, for what?"
Schonemann's son, Randall Schonemann said that his father didn't have any issues with anyone and was a well-respected pastor in the tight-knit community. He led the New River Bible Chapel for nearly 25 years. Randall said, "Our dad had such a positive impact on people everywhere he went.
We will miss the loving guidance and patience. The happiness he showed just getting to walk around an airport, getting his steps in. The creativity of all machines he built. There are never enough words to say it all or to say it as well as a person would like. Simply, he is missed."
Anders said that he lived next to Schonemann for 12 years, and said that all the neighbors are at a loss for words. He said that Schonemann was friendly, always waving at others, wanting to talk, and had a passion for building trucks.
KOLD reported that Eric Archer, a friend of Schonemann's said, "I'm just wondering was it some random person? Was it someone he knows? I'm just curious what happened and why. I just can't imagine someone hurting Bill, in any matter for any reason."
Steve Dopke, the pastor's neighbor said, "We tried getting some information out of them yesterday, but they said it was suspicious. The only thing I can think is if it happened on a Sunday. I don't know, if somebody was trying to shake him down. Maybe he was trying to help somebody and it went bad or something, who knows."
According to FOX10, the pastor, identified as 76-year-old William "Bill" Schonemann also appeared to have significant injuries. He was found dead inside his home around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28th and for the first few days of the investigation, law enforcement did not reveal much information.
However, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the death of the pastor was a homicide. The New York Post reported that authorities have yet to announce if they have a suspect or motive for the sadistic murder. Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputy Will Jinks said, "Based on observations at the scene, it appeared there may have been foul play."
He added, "MCSO is actively working the case. There are specific and unique circumstances to this case that we are not at liberty to discuss to ensure we keep the integrity of the investigation." Despite authorities saying there was no threat to the community, the pastor's killing has sparked fear among churchgoers and locals.
Schonemann's neighbor Mike Anders said, "I mean, we locked our doors last night. It's just something that we are just not used to doing. Everybody is just, until we know what's going on, we don't know if it was a family member, or we don't know what, who could do this to him."
Local resident Emily Brean said, "Honestly, I was shocked because New River is so small ... I leave my keys in my vehicles, don't lock my door and things like that. Why are you gonna murder a pastor or minister? You know, for what?"
Schonemann's son, Randall Schonemann said that his father didn't have any issues with anyone and was a well-respected pastor in the tight-knit community. He led the New River Bible Chapel for nearly 25 years. Randall said, "Our dad had such a positive impact on people everywhere he went.
We will miss the loving guidance and patience. The happiness he showed just getting to walk around an airport, getting his steps in. The creativity of all machines he built. There are never enough words to say it all or to say it as well as a person would like. Simply, he is missed."
Anders said that he lived next to Schonemann for 12 years, and said that all the neighbors are at a loss for words. He said that Schonemann was friendly, always waving at others, wanting to talk, and had a passion for building trucks.
KOLD reported that Eric Archer, a friend of Schonemann's said, "I'm just wondering was it some random person? Was it someone he knows? I'm just curious what happened and why. I just can't imagine someone hurting Bill, in any matter for any reason."
Steve Dopke, the pastor's neighbor said, "We tried getting some information out of them yesterday, but they said it was suspicious. The only thing I can think is if it happened on a Sunday. I don't know, if somebody was trying to shake him down. Maybe he was trying to help somebody and it went bad or something, who knows."
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Comments
2025-05-09T14:55-0400 | Comment by: Jan
Always lock your car, always lock your doors, no matter where you live. Our culture is so degraded now that anything is possible anywhere.