Latest news with #BillSchonemann
Toronto Sun
07-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Cops hunt killer in bizarre crucifixion murder of Arizona preacher
'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' Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox VIETNAM VET: Rev. Bill Schonemann, 76, was murdered. Photo by FACEBOOK The preacher was lying dead on his bed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account His arms were spread out, and his hands were pinned to the wall in a faux crucifixion that sickened even veteran homicide detectives. Now, Arizona investigators are hunting the killer of Rev. Bill Schonemann, 76, whose mutilated body was discovered around 7:30 p.m. on April 28. The victim reportedly had 'significant injuries.' '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 Maricopa County Sheriff's Office told the Daily Mail. Tight-lipped cops have so far not indicated whether they have any suspects or persons of interest. Nor have they revealed an official cause of death, although it has been classified as a homicide. Schonemann — a Vietnam War veteran — had been a preacher at the New River Bible Chapel for more than 25 years. New River is a town of about 17,000 residents about 60 km north of Phoenix. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Rev. Bill Schonemann, 76, served in the Vietnam War. FACEBOOK Local police have told the community there is no threat. They described Schonemann's murder as an 'isolated incident.' But despite cops' assurances, the lack of information about the slaying has led to widespread speculation, rumours and gossip in the tiny town. On Schonemann's property, there are a slew of unfinished and partially built vehicles and parts laying around the yard. Neighbour Mike Anders said as the police presence continued at Schonemann's for more than 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.' Neighbour Emily Brean added: '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. Why are you gonna murder a pastor or a minister? You know, for what?' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Residents of New River are now on a knife's edge. Neighbours said Schonemann was a friendly man who waved at passersby and enjoyed rebuilding old trucks. He was known as 'Pastor Bill' in New River. His son Randall wouldn't comment on the investigation, but told AZ Central his father had attended the New River Bible Chapel before becoming pastor. The dead man served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. When he returned from the killing fields of Southeast Asia, he found religion, his son said. His wife of 49 years died in 2022, and Schonemann doubled down on his church work. Friend Eric Archer told AZ Family: '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.' bhunter@ @HunterTOSun Columnists Canada Sunshine Girls Toronto Blue Jays Editorial Cartoons
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Daily Mail
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 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.
Fox News
06-05-2025
- Fox News
Arizona pastor found dead with hands pinned to wall in homicide at home
The death of a pastor in New River, Arizona, under bizarre circumstances has been ruled a homicide. Pastor Bill Schonemann, 76, head of the New River Bible Chapel, was found dead in his own bed last Monday, April 28, with his arms spread wide and pinned to the wall, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. Foul play is suspected. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office officially ruled Schonemann's death a homicide, as police continue to investigate. TESLA ARSON SUSPECT ARRESTED IN ARIZONA AFTER FIERY ASSAULT ON CYBERTRUCK According to FOX 10, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said there are "unique, specific circumstances to the case," and that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Schonemann's neighbor, Mike Anders, was puzzled by the pastor's death. "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," Anders told FOX 10. ARIZONA SUSPECT IN BUS STOP HATCHET ATTACK CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER VICTIM DIES MCSO declined to offer an update on the case, citing the ongoing investigation. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Autopsy records were not immediately available. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office declined to comment.
