Adam Sheafe confesses to gruesome murder and crucifixion of 76-year-old Pastor

Christian Priest Crucified In US, Suspect Confesses He Had 14 More On List

Adam Sheafe confessed to the gruesome murder and crucifixion of 76-year-old Pastor Bill Schonemann in April 2025 in Arizona — the first of 14 pastors he planned to kill.

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Suspect Confesses To Crucifixion Murder Of Beloved US Pastor, Planned To Kill 14 More Faith Leaders

The man accused of the gruesome murder of a beloved Arizona pastor recently confessed to the killing and told police he had plans to murder close to 14 other faith leaders.

As CBN News reported, Pastor William "Bill" Schonemann was found in his New River, AZ home in late April in a scene that was described as unsettling after the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call.

"Based on observations at the scene, it appeared there may have been foul play," Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputy Will Jinks said at the time.

The 76-year-old appeared to have "significant" injuries and was reportedly posed with hands spread out and hands pinned to the wall in a crucifixion-like scene.

In June, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) identified Adam Sheafe as a potential suspect after he was arrested on a separate charge from another law enforcement agency, ChurchLeaders reports.

In an exclusive on-camera interview with Arizona's ABC15, Sheafe detailed the gruesome killing and his plans to murder 14 pastors all over the country, starting with four in Arizona.

"He went as far as having thorn crowns ready for their crucifixions," the outlet detailed, adding that he also planned to leave a copy of the Ten Commandments on each of his victims.

.. In his account, Sheafe said he suffocated Schonemann before posing his body to resemble a crucifixion. "That was my plan with all of them," he said, "because I'm making a statement."

.. Sheafe added that he did not feel "called" by God to commit these heinous crimes, but believed that God would forgive him.

The suspect's father, Chris Sheafe, told Arizona Family his son had an extensive criminal background, but recently became obsessed with the Old Testament. He added they did not have contact regularly.

..Meanwhile, investigators say Sheafe's crimes were premeditated and religious in nature.

"The information we have has indicated that the motive was religious in nature and that there were a number of future victims planned," said Capt. David Lee of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Read more about this: https://cbn.com/news/us/suspect-confesses-crucifixion-murder-beloved-us-pastor-planned-kill-14-more-faith-leaders