In 1989, a young woman disappeared from White Cloud, Michigan. What followed was a case shaped by early assumptions, limited urgency, and an investigation that quietly stalled.

This episode examines the disappearance of Shannon Siders, the decisions that defined her case, and the questions that remain unanswered decades later.

This is a documented examination of what happens when someone is miscategorized — and left behind.

Listener discretion advised.

References

1. People v. Matthew Jones and People v. Paul Jones, Trial Transcripts and Verdicts, Newaygo County Circuit Court (April 2015).

2. Sworn Affidavit of Dean Robinson, Recantation of Testimony (December 2021).

3. Michigan State Police Cold Case Task Force, Investigation Records and Interview Summaries (2011–2014), led by Det. Mike Stephens.

4. Medical Examiner’s Office / Autopsy Report of Shannon Siders (October 1989).

5. Testimony of Clint Hofer regarding admissions by Paul Jones, Newaygo County Circuit Court.

6. Testimony of Lindsay Bradley regarding the class ring evidence, Newaygo County Circuit Court.

7. Investigative findings of Bill Proctor, Private Investigator for the Jones family defense.

8. Testimony of Dean Robinson regarding the Hole-in-the-Wall crime scene (2015).

9. Manistee National Forest recovery reports and crime scene documentation (October 1989).

10. Community and witness statements regarding the night of July 17, 1989, White Cloud, Michigan.

Listener Discretion is advised.

In 1983, police believed they had finally solved a murder that had gone unanswered for over twenty years.

This minisode examines the confession that followed, the assumption it was built on, and the forensic problem that forced investigators to confront an impossible question of time.

References:

• Brothwell, Don. The Bog Man and the Archaeology of People. British Museum Publications, 1986.

• Science History Institute. "Bodies in the Bog: The Lindow Mysteries." (July 2019).

• The Manchester Evening News / The Times (Archives 1983).

• Oxford University Research Laboratory for Archaeology.

• Taphonomy References:

• The Sexual Offences Act 1956.

• The "Lavender Marriage" Phenomenon.

This is Season 2, Episode 1 of Documented187:

Listener discretion is advised.

There is a visual glitch from 48:06​ - to 48:33​, but the audio is still correct. Apologies for the black screen - thanks for sticking with it!

In November 1971, the quiet town of Westfield, New Jersey learned that “low crime” doesn’t mean “no evil.”

Under the Tiffany skylight of a nineteen-room mansion called Breeze Knoll, a horrendous event took place. The perpetrator vanished for eighteen years under a new name. He remarried, went to church, coordinated carpools, and blended into suburban life so well that no one saw the horror of his past… until a clay bust on America’s Most Wanted knocked hisdisguise clean off.

In this episode, Ayana Noir walksyou through:
• the pressure cooker building inside Breeze Knoll
• the nationwide manhunt that kept hitting dead ends
• the age-progressed bust that finally exposed him
• the trial, the judge’s unforgettable words, and the question of whether justice ever truly caught up

REFERENCES

1. Crime Library: Criminal Minds and Methods — John List, Katherine Ramsland.

2. Karen Tumulty, “17 Years Later, Town Gets Answers to Family Killings,” Los AngelesTimes, April 10, 1990.

3. History.com Editors, “Sunday school teacher murders his family and goes undercover for 18years,” Updated May 27, 2025.

4. United States v. John Emil List, trial records, Union County, New Jersey (1990).

5. “John List,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (Accessed 2025).

6. ABC News — 'The Hit List,' Primetime/20-20 coverage and interview segments with John List.

7. New York Times archival coverage of the List family murders and trial (1971–1990).

8. America’s Most Wanted archival segment (May 21, 1989) featuring forensic sculptor Frank Bender.

9. Dummies.com Crime/History features summarizing the John List case.

10. Medium & Vocal long-form investigative articles on the John List case and AMW reconstruction.

11. Local New Jersey news outlets on Breeze Knoll, the arson fire, and community impact.

12. State of New Jersey v. John Emil List.

13. Father Wants Us Dead Podcast