Cold case documentary gives father hope

NEWAYGO, Mich. (WOOD) - The documentarian known for creating a film that ultimately led police to solve a West Michigan cold case will premier his next documentary-- with the same goal in mind-- in Newaygo next week.

Former Hope College professor David Schock will show his newest film, titled "Into the Dark," at the Newaygo High School Cafetorium Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

The documentary centers around the disappearance of 18-year-old Shannon Siders on July 17, 1989. Three months later, her body was found in an area of Manistee National Forest frequented by partying kids. At the time, the area was referred to as "the pit."

"Somebody knows something," Schock told 24 Hour News 8 on the phone on Wednesday. The purpose of his documentary is to get that somebody talking.

"It's not for entertainment," he said. "The motivation behind it is to bring someone forward that has definitive information they can bring to police."

Schock's 2004 film "Who Killed Janet Chandler?" landed six murderers in prison.

Siders' father is hopeful that "Into the Dark" could do the same.

"I'm never going to have any grandchildren," Robert Siders said. "I'm all alone. I never got re-married. I'm not going to have anymore kids. That's pretty much it."

Siders agreed to let Schock interview him, his mother, Shannon's friends and boyfriend.

He's confident the killer will be brought to justice. And Siders has a message for whoever murdered his daughter:

"We're coming for you. Keep looking over your shoulder because we're coming for you."

Anyone with information on Siders' murder is urged to call Michigan State Police or the Newaygo City Police at 231.652.1655.

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In 2003, Schock and several of his students made a documentary called "Who Killed Janet Chandler?" Chandler was 22 years old when she was raped and murdered in 1979.

After the documentary sparked renewed interest in the case, six people either pleaded guilty or were convicted of Chandler's rape and murder -- nearly 30 years after she was killed.