Loved ones last heard from a Texas woman more than a week ago, and police are now concerned she may be the victim of foul play. Sheryl Ann Siddall, 57, stopped responding to family on September 11, and when a sheriff's deputy arrived at her home Monday to look around, he found some disturbing evidence.
Donald Lee Hassler, 52, reportedly let officers into Siddall's home in Liberty County, but the family said they don't know who he is or why he was at the home. The situation has them on edge and fearful for her well-being.
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Hassler had a strange story.
When her family called for a welfare check, a sheriff's deputy arrived at Siddall's home and was greeted by Hassler, KPRC reported. Once inside, the deputy reportedly found a blood stain on the floor, which made him suspect foul play. He called for investigators to come and interview Hassler. When they arrived and began talking to him, his story didn't make much sense.
The strange man said Siddall went to Oklahoma to visit her sister.
However, according to KENS, Siddall's daughter lives in Oklahoma, not her sister. Hassler allegedly also claimed he was purchasing the home from Siddall, who left on a trip.
Even though Hassler claimed she was gone, investigators said all of Siddall's belongings were inside her home. Her car and purse were left behind, and her cellphone last pinged at a tower close to the house.
"Her phone last pinged last week to a tower about a mile and half from here. We don't have the phone," Liberty County Sheriff's Office Captain David Meyers said, per KENS.
The family has no idea who Hassler is.
Hassler said he and Siddall were friends, but family claims that's not true, KENS reported. According to Siddall's niece, Amanda Turner, Hassler is a total stranger. She told KENS, "We never heard of this man until his name was released yesterday … we don't know a thing about him. We're just trying to stay strong and stay positive."
She said her aunt was family-oriented, and the story doesn't make sense. "Great lady … we came out here to go fishing. All the grandkids, all the kids in the family are her pride and joy," Turner said.
Siddall's home sits on Horseshoe Lake.
ABC 13 reported the water is dark and murky, and boat crews with sonar equipment, cadaver dogs, and game wardens have searched the water with no luck. The next step is to go door-to-door, asking neighbors for home surveillance footage.
The news station reported police found evidence at the scene indicating Siddall had been dragged to an area near the water. According to ABC 13, police believe she is dead.
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Police have arrested Hassler on an unrelated charge.
Hassler is reportedly a felon on parole. As police were investigating Siddall's home, they found firearms that belonged to Hassler, ABC 13 noted, violating his parole because felons cannot legally possess firearms.
He has yet to be charged in Siddall's disappearance, but ABC 13 reported that the Liberty County District Attorney's Office may file murder charges. Hassler has reportedly requested an attorney.
