On August 21, 2020, 72-year-old Otmar Schwestak was found deceased in his home on North Mescal Road in Benson, Arizona. A white male, he was discovered by his son, Michael Schwestak, slumped over in a chair with a newspaper still tucked under his arm. The scene initially showed no signs of a struggle, presenting a peaceful yet deceptive tableau.
Prior to his death, Otmar had voiced concerns about the erratic behavior of his neighbor, Jon Melvin Bentley.
These concerns would prove to be tragically prescient. Investigations into the death soon focused on Bentley, who had a known history of paranoia and had reportedly made threats to another neighbor in the past. This history of instability painted a troubling picture for investigators.
The investigation uncovered that Bentley's paranoia was specifically directed towards the Schwestak family. Bentley's own son disclosed to detectives that his father had been extremely paranoid about his neighbors and had taken his pistol. A crucial piece of evidence, a single bullet casing discovered near Otmar's body, was forensically matched to a firearm belonging to Bentley. This link provided a direct connection between the suspect and the crime scene.
Following the discovery of this evidence, Jon Melvin Bentley was arrested and charged with the fatal shooting of Otmar Schwestak. The legal proceedings that followed took a complex turn as Bentley was initially deemed incompetent to stand trial. He was subsequently ordered into a restoration program. After a period of treatment, he was later found competent to face the charges brought against him, and a trial date was set to move forward with the case.
