Spanish Lookout is a community not known for violent crimes – but last year in July there was one, when Martin Wall was ambushed and terrorized in his home. That was connected to a notorious figure from outside Spanish Lookout – Gregory Casildo, who was later killed by police. But a murder and arson on Saturday night looks to police like it could have been a killing carried out by someone close to the community – possibly an insider. 42 year old Paul Guenther was the victim of what looks to be an execution, and Jacqueline Godwin today found that someone wanted him dead, but apparently they didn’t want his money or his valuables.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
This is all that remains of the residence of forty two year old Spanish Lookout resident Peter Guenther. Around eight thirty on Saturday night neighbours of the Green Hills area heard one gunshot and then saw flames coming from the farmer’s house.
When neighbours pulled the car from under the burning building, that is when they noticed Peter Guenther was slumped over the steering wheel. The vehicle’s key was still in the ignition and the car’s headlights were still on, an indication that Peter Guenther was killed shortly after he pulled onto his
driveway and parked his car under the house. San Ignacio Police strongly believe that whoever killed the 42 year old farmer was waiting for him at his property when he arrived. What remains a mystery is why would anyone want to kill Peter Guenther.
The report is that at the time Peter Guenther was shot he still had his foot on the brakes and neighbours had to remove it to push the vehicle out. According to the officer in charge of Sam Ignacio Police Senior Superintendent Paul Wade there was one gunshot wound to the back of the victim’s neck.
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do the police suspect robbery?
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade, OIC - San Ignacio Police
“The evidence that we have gathered so far indicates that it does not appear to be robbery. All Mr. Guenther’s money from his day’s sales was in tact on him at the time. So we are looking at all angles but it does not appear to be robbery at this time.”
Most of the money was found inside the dead man’s pocket. One of the last persons to possibly see the farmer alive earlier that day was his friend Bernard Dyck.
Bernard Dyck, Friend of Murder Victim
“I talked to him on Saturday. I was by the access road and I saw him there. I went there and I talked to him. He was selling his watermelons there and I talked to him and he told me that he just had one more trip to sell and his plan was to maybe go to Barton Creek and buy their watermelons and go and sell it and maybe he could make some pocket money. That is what we told me and he told me that he had made like $3,000 and he said this year that is not good but that is still okay.”
It is believed Peter Guenther, a chicken farmer was killed with a shotgun fired from close range through the driver’s window which was shattered. According to the victim’s friends, Peter Guenther never appeared to be troubled
although it was well known in the community that he had domestic problems and lived alone on the property after he and his wife had been separated for two years.
Bernard Dyck,
“Man, I couldn’t believe it because I didn’t know that he had some people who would get mad at him because he was all the time a nice guy. Everybody wants to come and live here because Spanish Lookout is a cool place so that is why everybody wants to come and live here. That is why I came and lived here.”
And because nothing was stolen it is strongly believed by those who knew the victim that Peter Guenther was killed by someone close to him.
Jacqueline Godwin,
Bernard do you believe whoever killed Peter knew him?
Bernard Dyck,
“Oh yes. Oh yes they knew him because I could see it.”
According to Cornelius Guenther who is not related to the victim but is a friend, he is disturbed about the murder because of what Peter Guenther told him one night.
Cornelius Guenther, Friend of Murder Victim
“That night he told me that his son, one night day he (his son) wanted to kill him. He had his gun ready and everything and then his wife and a next son came to take away the gun.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Anyone detained at this time?
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade,
“We are talking to some people who we believe can assist us in the investigation but we don’t really have any direct suspect. As I said it is an open case, it does not appear to be robbery and so we are looking at other areas.”
We do know that Peter Guenther’s wife and son have been at the San Ignacio Police Station being questioned.
Sr. Supt. Paul Wade,
“So obviously the assailant shot him and set the place on fire. That is what it appears at this time. I am not certain if he knows the assailant.”
Bernard Dyck,
“God knows and we will put in God’s hands and pray for it and that is my idea because he liked to work. He always did his own farm work, he planted.”
Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7News.
Police have made no arrests.
