Two stray mini–Australian Shepherds alerted Makenzie Stanley and her fiancé to pull over on Friday. It was here where they would make a gruesome discovery.
Stanley spoke exclusively with KPRC 2 reporter Corley Peel.
“My finance’ was looking and had a confused look on his face, and I was like, ‘what?’ And he said, ‘I’m pretty sure that’s a body.’ I was like there’s no way,” Stanley said.
Sure enough, deputies confirmed human remains were found in a ditch at the Rye community in the northern part of the county off County Road 2132. Investigators believe the remains could be 57-year-old Sheryl Siddall. The grandmother disappeared in September.
Detectives told KPRC 2 location is a big clue that could link the remains to Siddall. The area where the remains were found is about a 14-minute drive from Siddall’s home where deputies believe she was murdered.
Siddall’s acquaintance, Donald Hassler, is currently in jail and charged with capital murder in connection to her death and disappearance. Records show he is accused of trying to rob her before killing her.
While Siddall has been missing, records show Hassler tried to escape. A charging document from February shows Hassler tried to loosen screws in a jail cell windowpane and cut through security bars on the window. The attempt was unsuccessful.
On Tuesday, detectives say they found more remains at the scene off County Road 2132. Deputies said an autopsy is complete and they are hoping to officially identify the remains soon.
“I just honestly hope that they can get answers back, and whoever it is—that their family can get some kind of closure,” said Stanley.
Stanley said if the stray dogs were not there, she would have never made the discovery.