In a startling event, a highly esteemed pastor from Arizona, William “Bill” Schonemann, 76, was discovered deceased in his New River residence on April 28. The local law enforcement was notified of the situation via a 911 call. The crime scene was described as unsettling, with Schonemann’s body found in bed, his arms extended and hands affixed to a wall.
While the investigators have remained tight-lipped about the cause of death, insiders from law enforcement have suggested that the pastor had suffered substantial injuries. The medical examiner has since determined the death to be a homicide. However, the authorities have yet to release any details about possible suspects or motives behind the horrific act.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy Will Jinks provided a statement on the case, noting, “Based on observations at the scene, it appeared there may have been foul play. 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 reassurances from the authorities that there was no immediate threat to the community, the incident has sparked a wave of fear among local residents and churchgoers. Mike Anders, a neighbor of Schonemann, voiced his concern, stating, “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.”
Another local resident, Emily Brean, expressed her shock at the incident, questioning the motive behind the murder of a pastor. Meanwhile, Schonemann’s son, Randall, insisted that his father had no known enemies and was a respected figure in the community. The elder Schonemann had served as the pastor of the New River Bible Chapel for approximately 25 years.
In a heartfelt statement, Randall Schonemann 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.”