LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas — The Liberty County Sheriff's Office said they've identified the remains of a woman whose body was recovered in March.
DNA results confirmed the remains were Sheryl Ann Siddall, a 57-year-old grandmother who had been missing since last September.
“Although this is not the conclusion we hoped to come to, we recognize that we are fortunate in having an answer to a question that has haunted us for months.” Siddall's niece, Amanda Turner, said at a news conference on Monday.
It was family members who asked the sheriff's office to check on Siddall on September 18, 2023, because they hadn't heard from her in a week.
When deputies searched Siddall's home on Horseshoe Lake Estates in Cleveland, they found what appeared to be blood stains on the floor, cabinet and ceiling, LCSO Captain David Meyers said.
Donald Lee Hassler, 52, was at the home and he told investigators that Siddall was in Oklahoma visiting her sister. However, all of her personal belongings - including her vehicle and purse - were still on the property. Her family said Siddall does not have a sister in Oklahoma, but her daughter does live there.
Siddall's family said they didn't know Hassler, but he told deputies that he was in the process of buying her home.
Behind the home, investigators found evidence suggesting that something was dragged into Horseshoe Lake, which borders Siddall’s backyard. The lake was searched but nothing was found. Search crews also used cadaver dogs and sonar but found no sign of Siddall.
On March 22, skeletal remains found in a ditch were sent for an autopsy.
LCSO said they received DNA results late last week that confirmed the body was Siddall.
Donald Hassler charged with murder
LCSO said Hassler has a prior record and was taken into custody on a charge of felon in possession of firearms the day they searched Siddall's house.
On October 13, Hassler was charged with murder in Siddall's death and he remains in the Liberty County Jail.
At the news conference Monday, Meyers revealed more details about Hassler's relationship with the victim.
“All we know is that they’re acquaintances and they met at some event and kind of hit it off and they stayed in communication with each other,” Meyers said.
He said they don't yet know the motive for Siddall's killing.
Siddall remembered as 'fun, loud, chaotic'
Turner said the family is grateful that they can finally lay Siddall to rest as she deserves.
She described her as a mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend.
"She had so much love for her family and friends but if I’m being honest, she probably loved her dog more than anything," Turner said. "My Aunt Sheryl was the definition of a firecracker: fun, loud, chaotic and a beautiful bright light."
The family and LCSO thanked all of the agencies who helped in the search including the Texas Rangers, HCSO dive team, Baytown Police Department dive team, Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Equusearch.