The recent death of a pastor in New River, Arizona, has been officially ruled a murder.
Rev. Bill Schoenman, 76, who led the New River Bible Chapel, was discovered deceased in his bedroom on April 28th. Local reports indicate that foul play is suspected.
The Maricopa County Examination Office has classified Schoenman’s death as a homicide, and authorities continue their investigation.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) noted that the situation surrounding the incident is unique, asserting that there’s no ongoing threat to the community.
A neighbor, Mike Anders, expressed his bewilderment over the pastor’s passing, saying it was unusual enough that they locked their door, something they typically wouldn’t do. “No one really knows if it was someone from the family or if we could even suspect something like this until we find out more,” Anders remarked.
Currently, the MCSO has not released further updates, as the investigation remains underway. Autopsy records have yet to be made public, and the Maricopa County Medical Inspector’s office has not provided any comments on the matter.
