STATE OF MICHIGAN

BILL SCHUETTE
ATTORNEY GENERAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: J oy Yearout
J UNE 24, 2014 517-373-8060
www.michigan.gov/AGPress
Schuette, Springstead Charge Brothers
With Premeditated First Degree Murder in
1989 Cold Case
New Details in 25-year-old Case Leads to Arrest of Matthew and Paul Jones for the
1989 Murder of 18-year-old Shannon Siders

LANSING - Attorney General Bill Schuette along with Newaygo County Prosecutor, Robert
Springstead, Newaygo Police Department, Newaygo County Sherriffs Department and the Michigan
State Police, today announced first degree murder charges for Matthew J ones, 44, of Grant, and his
brother, Paul J ones, 42, of Newaygo, in the 25-year-old cold case murder of Shannon Siders, 18, of
Newaygo. The case will be jointly prosecuted by Schuettes Criminal Division and Newaygo County
Prosecutor Robert Springstead.
There is no statute of limitations for the peace of mind of a parent who lost a child to murder,
said Schuette. Todays arrests confirm that our work is never done while a cold case remains
unsolved. We will secure justice for the Siders family.
I would like to thank Newaygo County Prosecutor Robert Springstead, Newaygo Police Chief
Pat Hedlund, Newago County Sheriff Mike Mercer and the Michigan State Police at the Sixth District
Headquarters for their tireless efforts in seeking justice in this once cold case, said Schuette.
This case remained open for many years but Shannon Siders was never forgotten and law
enforcements resolve to hold those accountable for her death never diminished, said Newaygo
County Prosecutor Robert Springstead. This case is a perfect example of what can be accomplished
when multiple agencies cooperate, collaborate and share resources.
Homicide cases are never closed, said Detective First Lieutenant Mike Anderson, Michigan
State Police Sixth District Headquarters. Through diligent police work and a great deal of effort and
cooperation from a multijurisdictional team of investigators including the Newaygo County Prosecutor
-MORE-
Schuette, Springstead Charge Brothers With Premeditated First Degree Murder in 1989 Cold Case
J une 24, 2014
Page 2 of 2

and Attorney Generals office, probable cause was established to make these arrests. These arrests
mark the first step in the process for obtaining justice for Shannon.
Background on Siders Murder Case
On J uly 17, 1989 18-year-old Shannon Siders went out with friends for the night. Her father,
who worked midnights, last saw her at 10:30 pm. When he arrived home from work the next morning,
Shannon had not returned home. Shannon was allegedly last seen riding in Paul J ones car with his
brother, Matthew.
Shannon was reported as a missing person to the Michigan State Police by her father the
following day after she did not return home.
In October 1989, Shannons decomposing body was discovered by a hunter in the Manistee
National Forest in a place known as, Hole-in-the-Woods. Her death was later ruled a homicide.
In 2011 a Cold Case Task Force was assembled to reinvestigate the death of Shannon Siders.
The task force consisted of members of the Michigan State Police, the Newaygo County Sheriffs
Department and the Newaygo City Police Department.
Matthew J ones and Paul J ones were arrested J une 24, 2014 in Newaygo County. Schuette and
Springstead today filed the following charge against both J ones in 78
th
District Court:
One count of First Degree Murder Premeditated, a felony punishable by up to life
without parole.
Matthew and Paul J ones were arrested today by Michigan State Police. They are expected to
be arraigned later today.
In 2011 Schuette secured three first-degree murder convictions in a 13-year-old cold case for
the 1998 homicide of Deborah Boothby. Ivory Shaver, Scottie Shaver, and Shevolier Gill, all of South
Haven are currently serving life sentences in Van Buren County for premeditated first degree murder.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless
proven guilty.

[Attachment: Defendants mug shots]

- 30 -