Horror as small town Arizona pastor is found murdered in crucifixion-like scene
An Arizona pastor who was murdered in his home last week was found with his body positioned in a way that resembled a crucifixion.
Bill Schonemann, who preached for 25 years at the New River Bible Chapel, was discovered by police on his bed with his arms spread out and his hands pinned to the wall, multiple law enforcement sources told FOX 10.
The sources said that Schonemann, 76, was found at around 7:30pm on April 28 and appeared to have significant injuries.
His death was declared to be a homicide by the the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has not revealed if there is a suspect, nor has it indicated whether there is an official cause of death or a motive in the pastor's killing.
'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,' the sheriff's office told DailyMail.com.
The sheriff's office previously told the approximately 17,000 residents of New River, a town just north of Phoenix, that there was no threat to the community and that Schonemann's murder was an 'isolated incident.'
The lack of details surrounding his death has led to some in the town filling in the blanks of the story while also taking precautions they never thought necessary before.
Mike Anders lived next to Schonemann for 12 years and said that once the police presence at his neighbor's house lasted in excess of 10 hours he knew 'something bad' had happened.
'We locked our doors last night, which is something that we are not used to doing,' Anders told FOX 10. 'We don't know if it was a family member. We don't know who could do this to him.'
'Honestly, I was shocked because New River is so small. It's quaint. I leave my keys in my vehicles, don't lock my door,' resident Emily Brean also told FOX 10. 'Why are you gonna murder a pastor or a minister. You know, for what?'
Anders said his other neighbors are on edge as well. Those who knew and lived close by described Schonemann as a friendly man who waved at passers by and had a passion for building trucks.
Pictures from the scene showed there were many partially built vehicles and truck parts littered all over Schonemann's properties.
He was known locally as 'Pastor Bill' and his death also shocked his son Randall Schonemann, who declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Randall did tell AZ Central that his father attended the church he preached at for years before becoming the pastor.
Schonemann was also in the US Navy, having served in Vietnam, according to Randall. After coming home from the war, he said his father turned to religion.
Schonemann was married to Randall's mother for 49 years before she died in 2022, after which he began dedicating more time to the church.
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