A beloved Arizona pastor was found dead with his arms spread out in his bed and his hands pinned to a wall in a disturbingly sick scene, authorities said.
The body of Pastor William “Bill” Schonemann, 76, was discovered inside his New River home on April 28 after the local sheriff’s office received a 911 call, Fox10 reported.
Investigators have been tight-lipped about his cause of death but law enforcement sources said the pastor appeared to have suffered significant injuries.
The medical examiner has already ruled his death a homicide.
Authorities haven’t disclosed if they have a suspect or motive in the sadistic slaying.
“Based on observations at the scene, it appeared there may have been foul play,” Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy Will Jinks said.
“MCSO is actively working the case. 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.”
Despite authorities saying there was no threat to the community, Schonemann’s killing sparked fear among churchgoers and locals.
“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,” his neighbor, Mike Anders, said.
“Honestly, I was shocked because New River is so small. … I leave my keys in my vehicles, don’t lock my door and things like that,” local resident Emily Brean added. “Why are you gonna murder a pastor or a minister? You know, for what?”
Meanwhile, Schonemann’s son, Randall Schonemann, insisted his father didn’t have beef with anyone and was a well-respected pastor in the tight-knit community.
He had led the New River Bible Chapel for roughly 25 years.
“Our dad had such a positive impact on people everywhere he went,” Randall said in a statement.
“We will miss the loving guidance and patience. The happiness he showed just getting to walk around an airport, getting his steps in. The creativity of all machines he built. There are never enough words to say it all or to say it as well as a person would like. Simply, he is missed.”
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