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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.
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.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in murder of New River pastor in custody elsewhere: MCSO
The Brief A suspect has been identified in the case of a New River pastor's murder, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. The victim, 76-year-old William Schonemann, was found dead inside his home on April 28. Officials say the suspect is currently "in custody on unrelated charges in another jurisdiction." PHOENIX - Officials with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office say they have identified a suspect in connection with the murder of a pastor in the New River area. What we know In a statement, an MCSO spokesperson said the suspect they identified is currently "in custody on unrelated charges in another jurisdiction." "Coordination between agencies is ongoing as we work to move the investigation forward," read a portion of the statement. What we don't know Officials with MCSO did not identify the suspect who is currently in custody, nor did they reveal the jurisdiction where the suspect is currently being held. "We anticipate having more releasable details in the coming weeks, which we hope will provide additional clarity and progress in the case," read a portion of the statement. The backstory The victim in the case, identified as 76-year-old William Schonemann, was a pastor at New River Bible Chapel. He was found dead inside his home near 13th Avenue and Circle Mountain Road on April 28. Authorities have been tight-lipped on the case, but they previously said there were "unique, specific circumstances" to the case. The pastor's death left the community on edge. "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," said Mike Anders in early May. Anders lived next to the pastor for 12 years. What you can do Anyone with information on this case should call the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office at 602-876-TIPS (8477).
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Several people hospitalized in Florida after Coast Guard responds to separate holiday boating incidents
A Memorial Day at sea turned into a disaster as nearly a dozen people were hospitalized in Florida after their boat appeared to explode and gush into flames in Fort Lauderdale. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that an investigation is underway to determine what caused the boat to explode and injure the 13 passengers on board near the Lauderdale Yacht Club. "Reportedly, a vessel exploded around 5:45 pm w/ 13 ppl aboard, Mon. near the New River Triangle, Ft. Lauderdale," the agency wrote in an alert on X. "Multiple injuries reported." Us Coast Guard, New York First Responders Searching For Missing Person After Boat Capsized With Six Passengers Coast Guard officials added that multiple agencies had been deployed to assist in the rescue. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials confirmed to Fox News Digital that there were 11 individuals, including two children who were taken to the hospital, but said they were working to gather more information on what caused the explosion. Read On The Fox News App "The boat was anchored to a sandbar and when someone went to start it, for reasons unknown, it exploded when they tried to start it," a Fire Department spokesman said. "It was a pretty chaotic scene," he added. A dog was also on the boat, but was not injured, the fire official added. Officials said 10 of the 11 victims were transported to a Miami hospital burn unit that specializes in burn treatments. A person who was inside the yacht club at the time of the explosion told WSVN that he heard "a loud sound, but didn't see any smoke." Clean-up efforts are now underway as the Coast Guard said "salvage is being arranged." Us Coast Guard Rescues 3 After Boat Capsizes Off Florida Coast: Video "It's reported and the FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation," the agency said. The Coast Guard in Florida was kept busy as the incident came hours after another sector was called out to a rescue, where three boaters were saved from a sinking yacht that caught fire near Palm Beach. "Sector Miami is warning mariners about debris in the water after a 48ft yacht sank when it caught fire off Jupiter Inlet," the Coast Guard alerted. Fiery Boat Explosion In Florida Marina Leaves One Dead, Several Injured Coast Guard officials shared images of the yacht, showing a large fire coming from the vessel and debris spread out in the water. The agency added that a good Samaritan rescued the three passengers on board the sinking ship. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under article source: Several people hospitalized in Florida after Coast Guard responds to separate holiday boating incidents
