Person(s) of Interest Identified in Homicide of Beloved New River Pastor

NEW RIVER, Ariz. — The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) announced on May 27, 2025, that investigators have identified "person(s) of interest" in the homicide of William "Pastor Bill" Schonemann, a 76-year-old pastor found dead in his New River home on April 28, 2025. The update marks a significant development in a case that has shaken the tight-knit community north of Phoenix.

Schonemann, a longtime pastor at New River Bible Chapel, was discovered deceased in his bed around 7:30 p.m. on April 28, following a welfare check at his residence on Cavalry Road, near 16th Street. According to reports, deputies found the pastor covered in blood, with multiple sources indicating he had sustained significant injuries and was posed with his arms spread out and hands pinned to the wall. The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide on May 1, though the specific cause of death remains undisclosed.

The MCSO has described the incident as isolated, assuring the public there is no ongoing threat to the community. However, no arrests have been confirmed, and the sheriff’s office has not released the names of the person(s) of interest or provided further details to preserve the investigation’s integrity. “There are specific and unique circumstances to this case that we are not at liberty to discuss,” MCSO Deputy Will Jinks told Law&Crime.

Schonemann, affectionately known as Pastor Bill, was a beloved figure in New River, remembered for his kindness, faith, and passion for working on cars and airplanes. A U.S. Navy veteran who found faith after the Vietnam War, he served as pastor at New River Bible Chapel for about 25 years, becoming a fixture in the community. His son, Randall Schonemann, described him as a loving father with a “positive impact on people everywhere he went,” noting his joy in simple activities like walking in airports and building machines.

The gruesome nature of the pastor’s death has left residents reeling. Neighbors, accustomed to leaving doors unlocked in the safe, unincorporated community of about 17,000, expressed shock and fear. “I’m just wondering, was it some random person? Was it someone he knows?” friend Eric Archer told AZFamily. Another neighbor, Mike Anders, said, “We locked our doors last night. It’s just something we are not used to doing.”

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