Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigates homicide of local pastor in New River

NEW RIVER, Ariz. – Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Deputies are investigating the death of a man from New River. 

Investigators call his death “suspicious” and have upgraded it to a homicide. 

The victim was identified as 76-year-old William Schonemann, who is a known pastor at New River Bible Chapel.

Numerous resources are being poured into the investigation as law enforcement vehicles could be seen for hours lining the roads near the intersection of 13th Avenue and Circle Mountain Road.

Yellow crime scene tape circles across the property northeast of Anthem.

What we know:

Deputies say they responded to the call of a deceased elderly man on the evening of April 28 at around 7:30 p.m.

A day later, their investigation into this suspicious death continued into the afternoon. 

Throughout April 29, we saw multiple investigators go in and out of the home collecting evidence. 

Several have also walked into the mobile incident command car set up across the road. 

What happened is still mostly unknown.

What they’re saying:

Neighbors say the victim was known as a local pastor. 

There were also several Sheriff’s Deputy vehicles with investigators surrounding a nearby church outside the doors. 

Deputies are still keeping most details close to the chest.

“Our Dad had such a positive impact on people everywhere he went,” Schonemann’s son said in a statement to FOX 10. “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. Simpliy [sic], He is missed.”

What’s next:

We are working to get you more information we can share on this tragedy.

Stay with us for more details on air and online.

Crime and Public SafetyMaricopa CountyNews