LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – Skeletal remains found Friday are possibly the remains of a Liberty County woman who’s been missing since Sept. 18., according to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheryl Siddall, 57, was last seen at her Horseshoe Lake Estates home in the 500 block of County Road 2859.
Recommended Videos
Siddall’s disappearance
After Siddall was reported missing by her niece, deputies went to her home for a welfare check.
When a deputy arrived at Siddall’s home, he was greeted by Donald Lee Hassler, 52, who then gave permission for the deputy to search the home. As the deputy entered the kitchen, he found what is believed to be a blood stain on the plywood floor, according to the sheriff’s office. Suspecting that foul play may be involved, the deputy immediately backed out of the room and called for investigators.
When questioned, Hassler told investigators he was purchasing the home from Siddall and claimed that she told him she was leaving to visit her sister in Oklahoma. However, investigators said all of Siddall’s possessions, including wallet, purse, identification card and vehicle were all at her house. Her phone last pinged from a cellphone tower near her home before it was disconnected.
In October, Hassler, a convicted felon and acquaintance of Siddall, was charged with capital murder in her disappearance.
Deputies said he’s been the prime suspect in this case.
Behind Siddall’s home, investigators said they found evidence suggesting that something was dragged into Horseshoe Lake, which borders Siddall’s backyard.
It was also detailed that the suspect had a trailer parked at the home with at least 10 guns inside. Hassler, who is on parole, was arrested on a charge of felon in possession of firearms.
Hassler was also previously arrested during the investigation on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of his parole.
A total of eight firearms were collected during the investigation, including some found inside a box trailer belonging to Hassler and also inside his pickup truck, according to LCSO.
Investigators tie remains to missing woman
The skeletal remains were discovered at the Rye community in the northern part of the county off County Road 2132.
The sheriff’s office said a couple was traveling down the road when they saw puppies. As they were attempting to rescue them, one of the puppies ran toward a ditch with about three feet of water in it.
As the couple approached the ditch, they saw what they believed might be a body submerged in the water. They immediately called the sheriff’s office.
The deputies found skeletal remains in the water.
The LCSO told KPRC 2 that the remains found are six miles away from the location they believe Siddall was murdered.
The remains were taken to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
Once investigators receive results, a news conference will be held with additional updates.