Arizona man sentenced to life in prison for pastor’s murder

An Arizona court sentenced a man to life in prison on Friday for killing a pastor, William “Bill” Schonemann. Adam Sheafe committed a heinous attack and murder and will be behind bars without release for the rest of his days, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said. Sheafe had planned to kill a total of 14 Christian leaders across the country before authorities caught him after the death of Schonemann.

In April 2025, two congregants found Schonemann, 76, dead in his home in New River, Ariz., with his body positioned in a posture resembling crucifixion, according to court records. He had served as the pastor at New River Bible Chapel for nearly 25 years.

Schonemann was a one-of-a-kind man, who was also a devoted husband, loving father, business owner, and veteran, his son, Randy, said during the sentencing. The son added that while the family has struggled to find a sense of direction after the murder, they have focused on praying with those around them who were also reeling from the loss, according to a report by local outlet AZ Family.

Did Sheafe admit his crimes? He pled guilty in June to first-degree murder, among other charges, KNXV-TV reported. A plea deal took the death penalty off the table for Sheafe, who represented himself. He also confessed to breaking into a nearby home and stealing a pickup truck.

While Sheafe previously pushed for the state to execute him, he had a change of heart after his father and stepmother died in a plane crash earlier this year, according to AZ Family. During Friday’s sentencing, he apologized to the family for his actions. He said it was flawed for him to hope the murder could convey the message that God deserves all praise and all glory, AZ Family reported. He added that he believed God could somehow use the catastrophe for his glory.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report on Sheafe’s plans to kill more than a dozen pastors.