Sidney Schiltz and Melissa Vissman Killed in Sheridan Double Homicide; Ronald W. Martin Jr. Charged with Murder and Arson
By Moss and Ink | First published July 18, 2025 | Last updated November 2025
Table of Contents
- Incident Summary
- Victim Information
- Suspect / Person of Interest
- Charges
- Arrest & Booking Details
- Court Timeline & Next Hearing
- Latest Updates
- Cause of Death
- How to Follow This Case
- Community Resources & Grief Support
Incident Summary
In the early morning hours of July 17, 2025, a double homicide and arson rocked the small village of Sheridan in LaSalle County, Illinois. LaSalle County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call of shots fired at a residence on North 42nd Road shortly after 1:00 a.m. Approximately 25 minutes later, the Sheridan Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the same address for a fully-involved structure fire. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters and investigators discovered the bodies of Sidney Schiltz, 42, of Sheridan, and Melissa Vissman, 41, of Ottawa inside the burned home. Both had died from multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities allege Ronald W. Martin Jr., 45, shot the victims, stole a safe containing cash and narcotics, and then set the house on fire to conceal evidence before fleeing.
Victim Information
- Sidney “Sid” Schiltz, 42, Sheridan resident
- Melissa Vissman, 41, Ottawa resident; reportedly in a romantic relationship with the suspect. Both victims leave behind three children each.
Suspect
- Ronald W. Martin Jr., 45, of Sheridan
- Prior criminal history includes robbery and aggravated assault
- Brother of Martin was present at the scene and remains under investigation (no charges filed as of November 2025)
Charges
| Count | Charge | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | First Degree Murder (Intent to Kill/Injure) | Class M Felony |
| 7–9 | First Degree Murder (additional counts added Nov 4) | Class M Felony |
| 10 | Armed Robbery (armed with firearm) | Class X Felony (+15-year mandatory add-on) |
| 11 | Residential Arson | Class 1 Felony |
| 12 | Possession of Weapon by Previously Convicted Felon | Felony |
If convicted on the murder counts, Martin faces mandatory natural life in prison with no possibility of parole.
Arrest & Booking Details
- Arrested: July 17, 2025, approximately 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Hiding in brush on family-owned property near LaSalle, ≈30 miles from crime scene
- Agencies involved: LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, U.S. Marshals
- Currently held without bond at LaSalle County Jail, awaiting trial.
Court Timeline & Next Hearing
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2025 | Initial appearance; public defender appointed |
| Aug 1, 2025 | Defense requested continuance due to discovery volume (500+ videos) |
| Aug 15, 2025 | Status hearing – Private attorney William “Bill” Wolf retained; allowed civilian clothing in court |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Detention hearing – Ordered to remain detained; previous trial date stricken |
| Nov 14, 2025 | Motion Hearing – LaSalle County Circuit Court |
| January 23rd, 2026 | Status Hearing scheduled |
Latest Updates
- Sep 24, 2025 – Martin ordered to remain in custody; trial date vacated
- Aug 15, 2025 – Chicago attorney William Wolf takes over defense
- Nov 4, 2025 – Four additional murder counts plus armed robbery and arson formally filed
Cause of Death
Per LaSalle County Coroner’s Office (preliminary, pending final toxicology): Both victims died of multiple gunshot wounds; manner of death ruled homicide.
How to Follow This Case
- LaSalle County Circuit Court case number: Searchable at https://www.lasallecountyil.gov/circuit-clerk (public access terminal or online docket) with case number 2025CF000298
- Anonymous tips: LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office 815-433-2161 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS
Community Resources & Grief Support
This tragedy has deeply affected Sheridan and surrounding communities. Support for the families:
- GoFundMe campaigns have been established for both Sidney Schiltz’s and Melissa Vissman’s children (links verified by family). For those grieving or affected by violent loss:
- Illinois Victim Assistance: 1-800-228-3368
- Homicide Survivors Support (Chicago-based but serves statewide): 312-346-1006
- Local grief counseling through OSF St. Elizabeth (Ottawa) or Illinois Valley Community Hospital (Peru)
All information is sourced from publicly available law-enforcement releases, court filings, and official statements. Individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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-Willow Moss
Moss and Ink local 
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