NEWAYGO, Mich. (June 24, 2014) – A father waiting to see justice for his murdered teenage daughter now says it’s the beginning of the end.
Shannon Siders disappeared after leaving home in Newaygo more than 20 years ago. Her body was later found in the Manistee National Forest.
It was only a few years ago that cold case investigators took a fresh look at the case, even exhuming her body to look for clues.
Now, two brothers are charged with murder, and they’re no strangers to law enforcement.
Police say they’re the last people to have been with Shannon Siders the night she went missing. That was 25 years ago when Paul and Matt Jones were just 17 and 19-years-old.
But it’s what police say they did then, taking the life of the vibrant teen in 1989, that could keep them behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Both brothers, now in their 40s, have extensive criminal records.
Matt’s dates back to 1990 where he was arrested on drug charges. That year he was also arrested for driving on a suspended license and furnishing alcohol to minors.
In 1998 Matt, who goes by “Skip,” pled guilty to a domestic violence assault. More assault and drug charges followed in 2004.
His brother Paul pleaded guilty to a second drunk driving offense in 1996. In 2004, he was arrested on drug charges, then back-to-back felony home invasions which landed him in prison. Just last month he was arrested on more drug charges.
Both brothers were arrested Tuesday and arraigned in Newaygo County for first-degree murder, both are being held without bond.
The case is being prosecuted by the Newaygo County Prosecutor and the State Attorney General.
The Jones brothers will be back in court on Thursday.
