(SIDNEY, Neb.) — On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, a young woman’s body is found in a culvert by a couple of kids, straight out of “Stand By Me”. This tragedy has brought up several unanswered questions about who she was, why she was in town and what happened. After talking to several people who knew Mattea Scheuerman, we have gathered some facts about her life. Let’s walk through some of it.
Mattea Scheuerman graduated from Sidney High School in 2019 and was excited to go to college at NJC in Sterling, CO. She was there for only 3 months when she met John Zearing online. She left college for him according to her texts. Although they never married, she and Johnny had 3 children together, 2 sons, Oliver and Raylin and their daughter, Ophelia, all under 6 years old.
The kids are currently at their Grandmother’s house, but we are unsure where the kids will be in the future.
She indicated mid May that she knew Johnny was having an affair while in a group chat.
Here are some texts from Mattie to some of her work friends about the situation she was escaping:
Here are a few quotes from friends and co-workers who knew her best:
The last text message she sent to one co-worker on June 2, 2025. . .
So who was the man she left? We know his name is John Zearing, he was a gamer and was involved in the Masons. Other than that, we only have Mattea’s texts that give us an indication of his character.
This was his most recent post after her death.
I would like to first and foremost thank you for having me and allowing us to speak on your platform today. We are here today to not only shed light on this investigation but to also highlight what a wonderful and loving person Mattea was. Not only was she known to be a loving mother of three but she was also a shining example for anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Anytime spent with her was an absolute blessing she had a smile and laughter that could light up a room. Her personality was truly one of a kind she cared deeply for her family and children, she was a lover of animals and had an intellect that goes unmatched. Her grit and determination shines through In everything that she did and motivated those around her to be the absolute best they can be.
And if I may I would like to take a second to address the allegations and false narratives that have been given on social media and to local investigators. In particular the implications that she may have been abusive or suffered from thoughts of self harm. In fact she was a victim of domestic violence on more than one occasion which is a matter of police record. In terms of any suggestions that she may have had a history of substance abuse is absolutely false, for those of us who knew her for 5+ years she was never known to take anything for pain outside of generic Tylenol which is an over the counter substance and commonly used for aches and pains.
She was just such a light every single day.. you can tell looking at her but you really had 2 know her 2 understand. She was always helping stray cats in her area, feeding or setting up a warm place to sleep. She loved her children so much. I never met her in person but I had the pleasure of working with her and beside her the past 3 years almost. Aside from work we all spoke to each other in a work chat every single day. She was so talented too. She even drew me up a tattoo when I mentioned I wanted to get my animals paw prints. (That i will be getting tattooed) truly a genuine, sweet person and had the purest heart. She is really gonna be missed so much.
She was the kind of person you don’t meet twice in a lifetime—a rare, radiant soul whose presence could change the entire atmosphere of a room. She didn’t just walk into a space, she lit it up—with her smile, her laughter, her kind eyes that always seemed to see straight into your heart. Her compassion was deep and instinctive. She felt everything—others’ pain, their joy, their hopes—and she carried it with the kind of grace that made people feel seen, understood, and never alone. Her love for animals was a reflection of her spirit: gentle, nurturing, and full of empathy. She could calm a restless heart or bring comfort with just a few quiet words. She gave her all to the people she loved—never halfway, always with her whole heart. Whether it was family, a friend, or even a stranger in need, she showed up, she gave, she loved. She was someone you could talk to about anything, without fear or shame. She didn’t just listen—she heard you. Her advice came from a place of pure love and lived wisdom. She had a way of making the complicated feel simple, and the unbearable feel just a little lighter.
But the most powerful expression of who she was could be seen in the way she loved her children. She was, without question, the most devoted mother—fiercely protective, endlessly giving, and deeply proud. Her children were her entire world, and she poured every ounce of herself into their lives. Her love for them was boundless, unconditional, and filled with quiet strength. She would have moved mountains for them—and in many ways, she did. She wasn’t just special—she was irreplaceable. A soul like hers leaves a mark that time can’t erase. Her memory lives on in every life she touched, in every act of kindness she inspired, in the love she gave so freely and fully. She will always be remembered not only for how she made people feel—but for who she was: a beautiful, loving, selfless woman whose light will never go out. We love you Tato! We will never stop fighting for justice!
June 6, 2025 @ 1:22 p.m. — Donation information
Important message about donations for the Mattea Scheaerman Family…
According to Gehrig-Stitt Funeral Home in Sidney, the family wishes everyone to donate directly to the funeral home for the expenses and not to any outside GoFundMe accounts.
We remind everyone that donating directly to your local agencies and families in need is always better than going through something online. Most of them take fees and nothing is a guarantee. Please donate directly. It’s the fastest and safest way to help them.
Please direct cards and donations to
Gehrig-Stitt Funeral Home, Box 151, Sidney, NE 69162
Please make it Attn Mattea Family
June 6, 2025 @ 10:57 a.m. — Panhandle Scanner posted ** Justice For Mattea **
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who is helping investigate and solve this case.
Many of you know that we are working diligently with former coworkers, friends, family and others to help law enforcement solve this.
Mattea was an absolute kind, caring, and sacrificial person. She’s one of those that people who know her say she’d do anything for someone else, or even lost animals. She had a huge heart and was surrounded by people who loved her. This case has inspired us to do everything possible, especially when so many friends and family asked for our help.
June 6, 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. — PRESS RELEASE
From Sidney Police Department – Nebraska / Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office
Update: Investigation into the Death of Mattea Scheuerman
The Sidney Police Department, along with the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, continues to conduct a joint investigation into the death of Mattea Scheuerman, who was discovered on Tuesday, June 3rd. Our departments are working diligently to ensure a complete and thorough investigation is being handled correctly.
At this time, we are still actively gathering information and processing the evidence we collected, and are awaiting results. In the meantime, we are asking if you have any vital information, or if you saw or had contact with Mattea from Sunday night through Monday night to please come forward if you have not already done so.
Please contact either the Sidney Police Department at (308) 254-5515 or the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office at (308) 254-2922.
We appreciate the community’s understanding and support during this sensitive time
June 4, 2025 @ 1:24 p.m. — ** Victim Identified ** The deceased individual found in Sidney Tuesday night has been identified.
Our prayers and condolences to everyone who may have known the victim, Mattea Scheuerman. We do not have any official details about her death at this time, but we ask that you respect the family’s privacy and remember that they may be watching the comments. Our heart absolutely breaks for this situation.
Our research shows that she graduated from Sidney High School in 2019 and briefly attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado before taking a job at Cabela’s.
She was a mother too, and much evidence appears that she was a very kind and caring soul who put others first. Our heart breaks for her family and for those in the community.
We have scoured missing persons records and have not found anything on her, yet. Does the Sidney Police Department – Nebraska have any open cases that might be connected to her?
UPDATE : Mattea WAS reported missing on Tuesday and was found very shortly thereafter (by kids playing in the area). We are told that an autopsy has been ordered. Please pray that we get answers for this grieving family.
There must be something, and we are going to continue to look for answers to help everyone understand what happened to this beautiful young lady.
June 4, 2025 @ 8 a.m. UPDATE : the human remains have been identified as an Indiana woman in her twenties. We are currently scouring all missing persons posts and pages to see if we can bring closure to a case out there.
Our prayers and condolences to everyone who may have known the victim, Mattea Scheuerman.
Further research shows that she graduated from Sidney high school and attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling Colorado. Much evidence appears that she was a very kind and caring soul who put others first. Our heart breaks for her family and for those in the community.
June 4, 2025 @ 4:13 a.m. (SIDNEY, Neb.) — Local residents noticed something happening in Sidney with a body being pulled from a tunnel behind Charlotte Drive on Tuesday evening.
The body was found at 7th and Maple, near the BNSF tracks, according to 987 The Big Boy Radio via the Sheriff’s Office.
The remains have yet to be identified to the public and no further information is available at this time.
We will do our best to get you an update on this as soon as possible. Meanwhile, please pray for everyone involved.
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