Mennonite farmer murdered; family members detained for questioning

Green Hills is a new community settled by Mennonites twenty miles away from Spanish Lookout near the western border. Its residents are primarily farmers who till the soil for a living. But the peace in the small community was lost on Saturday night when one of its own was killed by one fatal shot and his house was set on fire. While the motive for the murder of Peter Guenther, who is separated from his wife, is still unknown, family members have been detained for questioning in what appears to be a premeditated homicide. A News Five team travelled to the farming community and found its residents with more questions than answers.

Sr. Supt Paul Wade, OC Cayo Police
”At about nine-thirty p.m. on Saturday police were called out to the Green Hills are of the Spanish Lookout community where we visited a home in that community and we discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Peter Guenther, a forty-two years Mennonite farmer. He was slouched behind the steering wheel of his car and he had what appeared to be a gunshot to the back of his neck.”

Marleni Cuellar
“There are reports that his house was set on fire as well?”

Sr. Supt. Paul Wade
“Yes, the entire house was destroyed by fire. Our initial investigation indicates that at around eight-thirty p.m. that same night, Mr. Guenther arrived home drove his vehicle under his house where apparently the assailant was waiting and shot him to the back of his neck.”

Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
When neighbours responded to the incident after hearing the sole gunshot and seeing the flames, Guenther was in the driver’s seat with the engine of his vehicle still running and its lights still turned on. Neighbours managed to push the vehicle from under the house away from the fire but Guenther was already dead.

Levi Guenther, Cousin of the Deceased
“It was a shock for me I would say it was a big shock for us as a family; we sure didn’t expect this.”

Norman Dueck, Special Constable, Spanish Lookout
“This stuff doesn’t happen in Spanish lookout very often. I think the last homicide we had was seven years ago so for us its something that is completely new. “

Guenther lived alone at his family home in the Green Hills area some twenty minutes outside of Spanish Lookout. He was returning after selling watermelons in town that day at about eight-thirty p.m. According to family members, he was not known for violence.

Levi Guenther
“I wouldn’t see why he expect it because as what I saw him lately he was very calm and doing okay. His status was married although he lived alone at his farm.”

Marion Ali
“Where was his wife?”

Levi Guenther
“Living at another family.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Were they separated?”

Levi Guenther
“They were living separate, but by law they were still married, yeah. But separate for a good while already.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Can you think of any reason as to why anybody would want to kill Peter?”

Levi Guenther
“I cannot think of a reason. I would not feel that he had any enemies since as I watched him as a nice a person. I just can’t think of a reason why he had any enemies. I just can’t think of anybody having a reason for that.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Any suspicion as to who might be behind this?”

Levi Guenther
“Yes there is. I would have thoughts about it.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Like who?”

Levi Guenther
“Well, I don’t have proof of anything.”

Sr. Supt Paul Wade
“The motive is unknown at this time. But what I can say is that it does not appears to be robbery because all Mr. Guenther’s cash sale was on him at the time and it does not appear that anything was stolen at this time.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Was there any indication of a struggle?”

Sr. Supt Paul Wade
“There was no sign of a struggle. It appears that the assailant was waiting as son as he arrived there we was shot.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Is there any possibility that the assailant may be someone from the very same community?”

Sr. Supt Paul Wade
“Well everything is possible we are inquiring and we will see where it will go from here.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Are you working along the lines that this may be a hit was put out on Mr. Guenther?”

Sr. Supt Paul Wade
“That is possible. That is possible.”

Police are investigating the incident and calling upon all persons with information to contact the nearest police station.

Guenther’s wife, Agnes Guenther and his sixteen year old son are currently detained by police. Separated since September of 2008, Agnes and her three sons lived with another family.