Latest news with #WilliamSchonemann
Yahoo
5 days ago
- 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
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Beloved Pastor Found Slain With Hands Pinned to Wall, Body Posed: ‘Was It Someone He Knew?'
William Schonemann was a pastor in New River, Ariz. His manner of death has been ruled a homicide Police say the case has "specific and unique circumstances" An Arizona community is reeling after a beloved pastor was found dead, reportedly with his body posed last month. William Schonemann, 76, was found slain in his home in New River, Ariz., on April 28, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. His death was determined to be a homicide by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. A cause of death was not released to the public. The sheriff's office said evidence at the scene suggested there may have been foul play. As the investigation continues, more details are unfolding about the circumstances surrounding his death. Schonemann's body was reportedly posed when it was found by investigators: It had been spread out and his hands were reportedly pinned to the wall, FOX 10 reported, citing unspecified sources. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office told PEOPLE they have not released any such details to the public. There are "specific and unique circumstances to this case," the sheriff's office said in their statement, without elaborating further. Schonemann's wife died in 2022, per AZ Central. It wasn't clear if he lived alone at the time of his death. Known to many as Bill, the popular pastor was a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, AZ Central reported. He was also known for his love for fixing cars and put together his own vehicles, his son Randall Schonemann told the outlet. The two once worked on restoring an airplane over several weeks, Schonemann's wife Crystal said. "The happiness he showed just getting to walk around an airport getting his steps in. The creativity of all the machines he built," Randall said in a statement to 12 News, speaking of his father's "positive impact on people everywhere he went." William's death has left the community in grief and fear. 'I'm just wondering was it some random person? Was it someone he knows?,' his friend Eric Archer said, according to AZ Family. 'I'm just curious what happened and why. I just can't imagine someone hurting Bill, in any matter for any reason.' Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The sheriff's office said there is no threat to the community and it's an isolated incident; they did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for information on whether William knew the alleged killer. No suspect or person of interest had been announced. Read the original article on People
