Investigators confirm recovered body as missing Liberty County grandmother

The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has confirmed the identity of a body recovered in March 2024 as Sheryl Siddall, who was first reported missing in September 2023.

After receiving the DNA results, authorities met with Siddall’s family at 1 p.m. to discuss the findings. The results were then released to the media at 2 p.m. in the LCSO training room.

• Liberty County missing woman’s acquaintance arrested for capital murder in her disappearance

Sheryl Siddall’s acquaintance, Donald Lee Hassler, has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with her disappearance.

Background on Siddall’s disappearance

Sheryl Siddall was reported missing by her niece in September 2023. When deputies conducted a welfare check at Siddall’s home, they were greeted by Donald Lee Hassler, 52, who claimed to be purchasing the home from Siddall. Hassler stated that Siddall had left to visit her sister in Oklahoma.

However, all of Siddall’s possessions, including her wallet, purse, identification card, and vehicle, were still at her house. Her phone last pinged from a cellphone tower near her home before it was disconnected.

READ MORE: Foul play suspected after possible blood stain found on floor in missing woman’s home; Man taken into custody

During the welfare check, deputies noticed what appeared to be a blood stain on the kitchen floor, prompting them to call investigators. Behind Siddall’s home, evidence suggested that something had been dragged into Horseshoe Lake, which borders her backyard.

Hassler, a convicted felon and acquaintance of Siddall, became the prime suspect in the case. In October, he was charged with capital murder in connection to Siddall’s disappearance. Investigators also found a trailer at the home containing at least 10 guns, leading to Hassler’s arrest for being a felon in possession of firearms, a violation of his parole.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal remains found in water possibly body of missing Liberty County grandmother

In March 2024, a couple attempting to rescue abandoned puppies in the Rye community, located in the northern part of Liberty County, discovered skeletal remains in a ditch with about three feet of water. The remains were found six miles from where investigators believe Siddall was murdered. The remains were sent to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.