Tragedy Unfolds: Texas Parolee Charged with Capital Murder in Disappearance of Sheryl Siddall
Oct 28, 2023, 01:00 AM
Donald Lee Hassler, a Texas parolee, has been charged with capital murder in the
mysterious disappearance and suspected murder of 57-year-old Sheryl Siddall.
Siddall, a grandmother residing in Horseshoe Lake Estates in north Liberty County,
northeast of Houston, vanished without a trace on September 18, leaving
authorities and her distraught family searching for answers.
The ordeal began when Siddall's concerned niece reported her missing, triggering
a welfare check at her home. What deputies discovered inside Siddall's residence
only deepened the sense of dread—a trail of blood on the kitchen floor and
cabinets. Despite a thorough search in the community and the lake behind her
house, Siddall has not been found.
When deputies arrived at Siddall's home, Hassler, an acquaintance of Siddall's
answered the door. His assertion that Siddall had left to visit her sister in
Oklahoma and that he was in the process of buying her house raised immediate
suspicions. Authorities, however, found Siddall's belongings—wallet, purse, ID,
and vehicle—inside her home, contradicting Hassler's claims.
Complicating matters, Siddall's phone, which last pinged a cellphone tower near
her residence on September 11 before going silent, has yet to be located. Hassler,
who was initially booked into the Liberty County Jail on a charge of being a felon
in possession of a firearm—a parole violation—remained at the center of the
investigation.
As the case unfolded, investigators discovered eight firearms in a box trailer
belonging to Hassler and in his pickup truck. The additional charges intensified the
severity of the situation, marking Hassler as the prime suspect in Siddall's
disappearance.
Following his arrest, Hassler's lack of cooperation with authorities became
apparent. Deputies stated that he pleaded the Fifth Amendment against self-
incrimination, heightening suspicions surrounding his involvement. Hassler was
subsequently held without bond, a decision made as the search for Siddall
continued. Unfortunately, a date for the resumption of the search was not
immediately available.
Liberty County Sheriff’s Capt. David Meyers expressed determination, stating,
“We still want to find Siddall, and we will not give up until we do! We want to
help bring some sort of closure to her family." The family, grappling with
uncertainty, has already initiated discussions about a memorial service for Siddall.
In a month marked by unsettling developments, Siddall's family disclosed that she
has no sister in Oklahoma, contradicting Hassler's claim. Adding another layer of
complexity, Siddall's family filed a petition against Hassler, alleging that he forged
Siddall’s signature on a deed on June 30, granting himself general power of
attorney.
In a testament to the challenges faced by Siddall's family, a fundraising page has
been established to alleviate the financial burden associated with the civil case
and Siddall’s funeral. The fundraiser aims to support legal expenses, cover funeral
costs, and provide assistance to Siddall’s children, who have taken time off work
to search for their missing mother.
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mysterious disappearance and suspected murder of 57-year-old Sheryl Siddall.
Siddall, a grandmother residing in Horseshoe Lake Estates in north Liberty County,
northeast of Houston, vanished without a trace on September 18, leaving
authorities and her distraught family searching for answers.
The ordeal began when Siddall's concerned niece reported her missing, triggering
a welfare check at her home. What deputies discovered inside Siddall's residence
only deepened the sense of dread—a trail of blood on the kitchen floor and
cabinets. Despite a thorough search in the community and the lake behind her
house, Siddall has not been found.
When deputies arrived at Siddall's home, Hassler, an acquaintance of Siddall's
answered the door. His assertion that Siddall had left to visit her sister in
Oklahoma and that he was in the process of buying her house raised immediate
suspicions. Authorities, however, found Siddall's belongings—wallet, purse, ID,
and vehicle—inside her home, contradicting Hassler's claims.
Complicating matters, Siddall's phone, which last pinged a cellphone tower near
her residence on September 11 before going silent, has yet to be located. Hassler,
who was initially booked into the Liberty County Jail on a charge of being a felon
in possession of a firearm—a parole violation—remained at the center of the
investigation.
As the case unfolded, investigators discovered eight firearms in a box trailer
belonging to Hassler and in his pickup truck. The additional charges intensified the
severity of the situation, marking Hassler as the prime suspect in Siddall's
disappearance.
Following his arrest, Hassler's lack of cooperation with authorities became
apparent. Deputies stated that he pleaded the Fifth Amendment against self-
incrimination, heightening suspicions surrounding his involvement. Hassler was
subsequently held without bond, a decision made as the search for Siddall
continued. Unfortunately, a date for the resumption of the search was not
immediately available.
Liberty County Sheriff’s Capt. David Meyers expressed determination, stating,
“We still want to find Siddall, and we will not give up until we do! We want to
help bring some sort of closure to her family." The family, grappling with
uncertainty, has already initiated discussions about a memorial service for Siddall.
In a month marked by unsettling developments, Siddall's family disclosed that she
has no sister in Oklahoma, contradicting Hassler's claim. Adding another layer of
complexity, Siddall's family filed a petition against Hassler, alleging that he forged
Siddall’s signature on a deed on June 30, granting himself general power of
attorney.
In a testament to the challenges faced by Siddall's family, a fundraising page has
been established to alleviate the financial burden associated with the civil case
and Siddall’s funeral. The fundraiser aims to support legal expenses, cover funeral
costs, and provide assistance to Siddall’s children, who have taken time off work
to search for their missing mother.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com