Latest news with #AdamSheafe
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Telegraph
Pastor ‘crucified by religious fanatic'
A pastor was crucified and had a crown of thorns placed on his head by a religious fanatic. The blood-soaked body of William 'Bill' Schonemann, 76, was found on his bed with his hands nailed to the wall in a house in New River, Arizona, on April 28. Adam Sheafe, 51, confessed to the killing in a jail cell interview in which he revealed he was attempting to recreate the crucifixion scene, as part of what he dubbed 'Operation First Commandment'. He claimed to have found the crown of thorns in the desert. Sheafe planned to execute 14 clergymen whom he believed were leading their 'flock astray'. With Hebrew lettering tattooed on his neck and wearing dark blue prison fatigues, Sheafe said he had a hit-list starting in Arizona, where he was born. He added: 'From there, it was Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Billings, Montana; Detroit, Michigan; New York, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; Beaumont, Texas; and El Paso, Texas.' 'Where it starts is where it will end, like the Garden of Eden,' he told True Crime Arizona. Sheafe arrived in Arizona and followed the pastor home on Easter Sunday. As Schonemann pulled into the garage, two women appeared, but they were spared. 'I'm not interested in executing anyone other than the pastors.' From there, he drove 117 miles to Sedona, where he planned to slaughter his next two victims. Sheafe was arrested two days after killing Schonemann following a manhunt linked to a string of burglaries in the area. He said he had no regrets. 'Not only do I have zero remorse, I plan on fulfilling what I started. If my father puts me in an authoritative position on this earth, I will execute every single priest and burn every church to the ground.' He said he wanted the death penalty – and as soon as possible. 'Well, I want to be executed quickly so we can get this show on the road and show exactly what I'm trying to do ... All you gotta do is worship Jesus and you go to Heaven; your sins are forgiven. That's not what God said.' Sheafe is being held in Coconino jail on charges unconnected with the killing, including burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle. 'This case is probably one of the most bizarre cases I have ever seen in my 40 years with the Maricopa Sheriff's Office,' said Sheriff Jerry Sheridan. Schonemann's family condemned the decision to broadcast an interview in a statement. 'What we have seen over the last week is this suspect enjoying the attention. His side of the story is half of the whole story, and we see the need to cover it, however challenging that may be for us,' the family said in a statement seen by Fox 10, although they criticised the granting of a platform to Sheafe. 'We are quite surprised by his ability to freely message with county-supplied devices. We are concerned about his increasing notoriety and possibly gaining a following.'
Fox News
26-06-2025
- Fox News
Pastor's crucifixion murder suspect says on video he planned to kill 14 more
The man accused of brutally crucifying a rural Arizona pastor has not only admitted to the alleged crime, but said that he planned to kill more than a dozen other Christian leaders. Adam Sheafe, 51, told FOX 10 in an interview that he murdered Pastor Bill Schonemann, 76, head of the New River Bible Chapel in New River, Arizona. On April 28, Schonemann was found dead in his bed with his arms spread wide and pinned to the wall behind him. The bizarre display left the community reeling. Sheafe's plan was to crucify 14 more Christian leaders of no particular denomination, he told FOX 10, ascribing his motive to a belief that Christian churches were leading their congregants astray by teaching them to follow Jesus, whom he says is a false God. He titled his mission "Operation First Commandment." Sheafe was captured by police near the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona, where he planned to kill two priests, he said. "The day I was going to execute that priest, I tried getting into the back of his car. There was like a little lady on a bike that got in my way, and I was just going to get in the back seat and tell him to drive to his house," Sheafe said. He later defiantly refused to apologize for the alleged killing. In an interview with 12News, Sheafe explained further how he planned Schonemann's killing. "I saw that he had a Wednesday evening Bible study, so I sat there and waited for them to arrive, so that I could locate which one was the priest, and then I just followed him," Sheafe said. "And then I returned on Sunday to execute and crucify him to this wall." He also said he wanted to be executed. "Put me on death row, set the execution date for right now," Sheafe said. "The victims want it. The victim's families want it. I want it, and the taxpayers want it." Sheafe has been charged with first-degree murder in Maricopa County, but remains in the custody of the Coconino County Jail. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office told Fox News Digital that the case is under review, and that generally, any first-degree murder convict is subject to the death penalty. It is unclear whether he has an attorney, but Fox News Digital reached out to the public defender's office.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Religious zealot admits to crucifying beloved pastor in his Arizona home during jailhouse interview
A religious militant accused of a violently motivated attack of an elderly pastor confessed to 'crucifying' him during a chilling jailhouse interview. On April 28, during a routine welfare check at a New River home, police officers found 76-year-old Pastor William Schonemann - known in the community as 'Pastor Bill' - dead and covered in blood, with his body spread out and hands pinned to the wall. Nearly a month later, 51-year-old Adam Christopher Sheafe was arrested following a manhunt linked to a series of burglaries - during which authorities discovered evidence in his vehicle that allegedly connected him to the gruesome murder. Now, almost two months after the horrific discovery, Sheafe confessed to the brutal killing of the beloved pastor during a jailhouse interview with True Crime Arizona correspondent Briana Whitney - and revealed a list of additional intended targets across several states, all religious leaders. 'I drove from Phoenix to Bill's house, like two in the morning on a Sunday night, and I executed him,' Sheafe blatantly admitted during the interview. On Monday, through a jail-issued electronic device, the 51-year-old inmate at the Coconino County Detention Facility spoke about his 'mission' to punish religious leaders who he believed were misleading Christians. He claimed that Christianity is wrong, asserting that only the Old Testament should be considered authoritative. Most of the planning, as Sheafe described, came while he was broke and camping in an Arizona desert following his release from federal prison - the same time he spotted his first target. 'Starting in Arizona, where I was born,' Sheafe said. 'Where it starts and where it ends, like the Garden of Eden.' In the interview, Sheafe revealed that his initial target was a priest in Phoenix, whom he followed home after Easter services with the intent to kill. He confessed that this killing was meant to be the first 'execution' in a series of 14 he had meticulously planned across the country. 'From there, it was Las Vegas, Nevada, Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, Billings, Montana, Detroit, Michigan, New York, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina, Mobile, Alabama, Beaumont, Texas and El Paso, Texas,' he listed. Four of his targets, Sheafe explained, were 'going to get hit in Arizona.' 'I was going to put the Ten Commandments in order on each of the priests,' he chillingly said. However, his original plan in Phoenix quickly unraveled when two women unexpectedly appeared in the garage just as Sheafe pulled into the priest's driveway. 'I'm not interested in executing anyone of than the pastors or the shepherds leading the flock astray,' he said. It was after Sheafe's first failed attempt at killing a priest in Phoenix, he explained, that he spotted Schonemann - who led the New River Bible Chapel congregation (pictured) for decades - while in his New River community It was after his first failed attempt, Sheafe explained, that he spotted Schonemann -who led the New River Bible Chapel congregation for decades - while in his New River community. He then followed the pastor home, admitting bluntly, 'I just went in there and did it.' During the interview, Sheafe described the disturbing scene deputies found -including a crown of thorns, crafted from materials he gathered in the woods, placed on Schonemann's head. 'Because what I'm saying is, what you're preaching is not what God said,' Sheafe explained. 'It's the opposite of what God said.' After hearing that, Whitney explained how anyone entering the pastor's home would be 'horrified' at the scene. In a follow-up question, she then asked Sheafe, 'Were you feeling satisfied?' 'Look, it's not in my heart to go around killing people,' he responded, before Whitney threw out one more question: 'How would you feel if somebody crucified you?' 'Good luck trying,' Sheafe replied. From there, his next target was a religious institution in Sedona, where he planned to kill - and specifically crucify - two more religious leaders. 'I was going to jump into the back of the car when the priest left service that Wednesday,' Sheafe confessed during the interview. 'I went to get into the back of the car as he entered the car,' he added. 'I was going to tell him to drive to his house, and there was an old lady who got in my way.' Sheafe also admitted to committing other crimes along the way - specifically stealing a car and breaking into residential homes - though he denied doing so to find valuables. 'The only reason I had to go into houses was for supplies, like things that I needed,' he said. During the interview, however, Sheafe claimed he was following God's law, insisting he would be forgiven because God is 'very protective' of him. But on his way to Sedona, Sheafe was flagged as a burglary suspect, triggering a high-speed chase with police. He managed to evade capture after crashing his car into another vehicle and disappearing - leaving his vehicle behind. The abandoned car, recovered near a trailhead, was discovered to be stolen from Cave Creek. Inside, authorities found evidence reportedly linking Sheafe to Pastor Schonemann's murder. Sheafe was eventually apprehended days later after a manhunt related to multiple burglaries - though he claims he planned to continue his nationwide spree of religious killings if he hadn't been caught. Sheafe was eventually apprehended (pictured) days later after a manhunt related to multiple burglaries - though he claims he planned to continue his nationwide spree of religious killings if he hadn't been caught Just days after his capture, Sheafe reportedly sent a letter to the FBI, confessing details that only someone who had witnessed the bloody crime scene could know. 'I told the FBI agent, look, I want the death sentence,' Sheafe said. 'I'll plead guilty right now, on the spot... I want the death sentence, and I want the execution date right now.' 'I want the death penalty because I want to show that you can't kill God's son. The whole story is B.S.' When reminded during the interview that executions often take years, Sheafe doubled down on his resolve. 'Well, I want to be executed quickly so we can get this show on the road and show exactly what I'm trying to do… All you gotta do is worship Jesus and you go to Heaven; your sins are forgiven,' he responded. 'That's not what God said.' He reiterated his belief that God would forgive his sins, even as Whitney challenged him: 'How do you justify that? I mean, if you're killing somebody or multiple people -attempted, how does that work?' 'It's a commandment to rid Israel of evil,' Sheafe replied. In response, Whitney told him he'd likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. Sheafe chillingly replied, 'That's what you think.' At a recent press conference, Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan called this the most 'bizarre' case he's encountered in his decades with the agency, as reported by ABC 15. Sheafe remains in custody at Coconino County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Maricopa County, where charges related to Schonemann's murder are pending.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Murder suspect accused of crucifying Arizona pastor claims he's ready to go to heaven
An Arizona man accused of murder reportedly claims he placed a crown of thorns on his victim's head after crucifying him — and that he's ready to go to heaven. Adam Christopher Sheafe confessed that he killed pastor William Schonemann in April. On Monday, the 56-year-old suspect told news outlet Arizona's Family that he planned to kill 14 preachers nationwide for 'leading the flock astray,' including one unidentified religious leader in New York. Sheafe, who confessed that he planned to murder four pastors in Arizona, claimed he drove late one night to Schonemann's home, where he planned to start his killing spree. Cops reportedly found the 76-year-old pastor in his bed covered with blood on April 28, and identified Sheafe as a suspect earlier this month. He'd been arrested and jailed after the victim's death on unrelated charges in a different jurisdiction. 'I want the death penalty because I want to show that you can't kill God's son,' he told Arizona's Family. 'The whole story is B.S.' According to Sheafe, God will forgive him of his sins if he asks, then he can get on with the afterlife. 'I want to be executed quickly so we can get this show on the road and show exactly what I'm trying to do.' he told the outlet. 'All you gotta do is worship Jesus and you go to Heaven.' Sheafe hadn't yet been extradited to Maricopa County to stand trial when he spoke to reporters in Arizona.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
New River pastor murder: Community relieved after suspect's arrest, but questions remain
The Brief The relief is palpable in New River after a major break in the murder of beloved Pastor Bill Schonemann It's what they don't know that still has people on edge. Schonemann was found dead inside his home on April 28. NEW RIVER, Ariz. - The community of New River is reeling. A suspect was named in the heinous murder of local Pastor Bill Schonemann of New River Bible Church. The owner of El Pizzaria Sports Bar and Grill, Michelle Thompson, says she saw the suspect come into her restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night before the murder. But he didn't seem to frequent any other areas, as many others in town had never seen his face or heard his name before. What they're saying The relief is palpable after a major break in the murder of Pastor William "Bill" Schonemann. "It's very, very much a relief," said Gary Johnson. "Thank heavens!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I'm glad they caught him," said Raquel Calderon. What we know The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office finally released the name of the man they say is responsible: 51-year-old Adam Christopher Sheafe. "We had all reflected on the fact that we had seen him in here at least once or twice," said Thompson. Thompson recognized Sheafe's face and tattoo and says he didn't cause any issues. "Nope, not at all. He kind of kept to himself." Many others in town don't know Sheafe. "No idea whatsoever. I even tried to ask around for people I know in the area, and no one has recognized that face, that name – anything whatsoever," said Calderon. But they've felt the uncertainty and fear following a crime that sent shock waves across their small community. The backstory In late April, Schonemann was found dead in his home off Calgary Road. Sources tell FOX 10 his arms were stretched out, and his hands were pinned to the wall. MCSO says the murder was religious in nature, and that there were a number of future victims planned. Investigators say Sheafe was planning to strike again before he was arrested in Sedona near a trailhead by the town's iconic Chapel of the Cross. Sheafe was booked for unrelated crimes, but investigators say items in his stolen truck linked him to the homicide. What we don't know Why Pastor Bill was targeted remains unknown. "That's beyond me. That anyone can be that evil, hateful, or anything within themselves is scary," said Calderon. Local perspective Calderon says Pastor Bill was known for helping those who needed help, like herself. "He was truly everything they said about him. I mean, I know people usually say 'oh, he was great.' No. This man was genuinely an angel among us. He was the kindest soul. I lived out of my car when I first came here, and they had this home available, and they offered it to me, so I could get my daughter living with me. I've been able to get back on my feet, get a good job, all these things – and Pastor Bill helped make that happen. He was truly an amazing man," said Raquel Calderon. Many in New River hoped Bill's kind heart wasn't taken advantage of leading to his death. What's next MCSO says more information about the murder is expected in the future.
