Fact Check: Sheafe confessed to crucifying Pastor William Schonemann in his Arizona home.

Fact Check: "Sheafe confessed to crucifying Pastor William Schonemann in his Arizona home."

What We Know

Adam Christopher Sheafe, a 51-year-old man, has confessed to the murder of Pastor William Schonemann, a 76-year-old leader of the New River Bible Chapel in Arizona. In a jailhouse interview, Sheafe admitted to killing Schonemann and described the act as part of a larger plan he called “Operation First Commandment,” which involved targeting religious leaders he believed were misleading their followers (source-2, source-5). Schonemann was found dead in his home on April 28, 2025, with his arms pinned to the wall in a manner resembling crucifixion, and Sheafe claimed to have placed a crown of thorns on his head (source-3, source-4).

During the interview, Sheafe expressed no remorse for his actions and stated that he intended to kill 14 more religious leaders across various states (source-7). He was apprehended after a manhunt related to recent burglaries and is currently held at Coconino County Jail, facing charges of first-degree murder in Maricopa County (source-4).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Sheafe confessed to crucifying Pastor Schonemann is robust. Multiple news outlets, including FOX 10 and AZFamily, reported on Sheafe's detailed confession during jailhouse interviews, where he explicitly described the murder and his motivations (source-5, source-4). The gruesome nature of the crime, combined with Sheafe's statements about his intentions to target additional religious figures, adds credibility to the claim.

The sources reporting on this incident are reputable news organizations, which typically adhere to journalistic standards. However, it is essential to note that Sheafe's confessions may be influenced by his mental state, as he expressed beliefs that he was acting on divine orders. This could raise questions about the reliability of his statements, but the consistency across multiple reports lends weight to the veracity of the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that Adam Sheafe confessed to crucifying Pastor William Schonemann in his Arizona home is True. Sheafe's admissions during jailhouse interviews, corroborated by multiple credible news sources, confirm that he not only killed Schonemann but also intended to carry out further attacks on other religious leaders.

Fact Check: Sheafe confessed to crucifying Pastor William Schonemann in his Arizona home.