Six weeks after New River, Arizona, Pastor William “Bill” Schonemann was found dead in his home of an apparent homicide, authorities said they have identified a suspect. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) isn’t naming the individual, however, saying that releasing more details could jeopardize a criminal case.
Authorities said the suspect is being held on a separate charge by another law enforcement agency but didn’t say where.
Editor’s note: This article refers to details that some readers might find disturbing.
As ChurchLeaders reported, the MCSO found evidence of foul play and said Schonemann’s death happened under “unique, specific circumstances.” Authorities assured community members that they face no ongoing danger.
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Schonemann, 76, was found dead in his Phoenix-area home on April 28. The longtime pastor had suffered significant injuries, according to authorities. They said they found Schonemann in bed with his arms spread wide and his hands pinned to the wall.
Murder of New River, Arizona, Pastor Rocks His Family and Church
For more than 30 years, Schonemann led New River Bible Chapel, about 30 miles north of Phoenix. Congregants told reporters they’re still grappling with the sudden loss of their pastor.
“I cannot imagine anyone in the whole world who would want to hurt that man,” said church member and friend Diane Brown. “We’re a bunch of sheep who have lost our shepherd, and it’s really hard,” she said of the congregation.
Although Brown doesn’t like how her pastor’s life was taken, she said she has to “be at peace” knowing he is at peace. “We know where he’s at,” she said. Schonemann would have forgiven his killer, Brown added, but “right now, I can’t.”
Randy Schonemann, the pastor’s son, said he was relieved to hear that a suspect has been identified. But he told reporters, “I don’t think we’re ever going to truly understand the person that did this. I hope I can’t understand why a person did something like this.”
While processing the loss, Randy said he desires justice but also wants to focus on happy memories. “There’s lots of ways that I can be angry and hateful towards somebody that I don’t even have a face to put with,” he said. “But that’s just going to take joy away from me.”
Community Mourns Bill Schonemann, a ‘True Pastor’
Schonemann’s New River neighbors, who aren’t used to locking their doors, are also reeling from the murder. “I’m hoping it’s targeted, as horrible as that is for the pastor,” said neighbor Brendan Bartley.
With little information coming from authorities, speculation was running rampant. “The only thing I can think is if it happened on a Sunday, I don’t know if somebody was trying to shake him down,” said Steve Dopke, another neighbor. “Maybe he was trying to help somebody and it went bad or something. Who knows?”
