On September 18, 2003, the remains of Justine Vanderschoot were found over two weeks after her disappearance in a remote area. Despite the passage of time, her memory remains tender in the hearts of her parents, Don and Lynnette Vanderschoot. They often visit a garden outside Justine’s bedroom window, transformed into ‘Justine’s Garden’ with mementos and flowers received after her tragic loss.
Lynnette Vanderschoot: It’s 21 years since we’ve lost Justine, but it’s still fresh in our mind.
Central to this garden stands a towering dogwood tree, symbolizing both Justine’s cherished trips to the Sierra mountains and the passage of time since her departure. Christine Vanderschoot, Justine’s older sister, reflected on the years since her passing: Lonely. She was my best friend. We were only 18 months apart and shared our lives from the start.
Natalie Morales: How would you describe Justine? What was her personality?
Christine Vanderschoot: Vibrant, charismatic, life of the party … She made you laugh every time she spoke.
Her parents fondly remembered Justine as the spark of their household, as she excelled in various extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, baseball, and soccer. At the age of 17, Justine was nearing high school graduation and aspired to a career in fashion and beauty.
Christine Vanderschoot: She would sew and design her own shirts and shoes. She aimed to help others stand out and feel beautiful.
Despite her ambitions, Justine’s family faced the haunting reality of her murder. Her father, Don Vanderschoot, expressed the challenge of cherishing Justine’s memory without dwelling on the tragic circumstances surrounding her death.
Don Vanderschoot: I don’t ever want to forget her, but I don’t want to be reminded of what happened.
The Vanderschoots have endured strain from repeated parole hearings for Justine’s convicted murderers, Danny Bezemer and Brandon Fernandez, who seek to overturn their incarceration. Retired Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner noted how the Vanderschoots have returned to court numerous times over the years.
Ed Bonner: Including parole hearings … They have faced the possibility seven times over the past seven years.
Sadly, both men had once been welcomed into the Vanderschoot family. Brandon Fernandez befriended Christine in seventh or eighth grade. A few years later, he introduced Danny Bezemer to the family.
Christine Vanderschoot: It was actually at a birthday party for me … We had a pool party … Danny met Justine there.
Despite a seemingly promising start to their relationship, Danny quickly became controlling. Justine’s merger into Danny’s life was met with Brandon’s disapproval, resulting in tension that burdened Justine’s connection with Danny.
Christine Vanderschoot: … her frustrations were really starting.
Retired Placer County Detective Angela Ford recalls Danny’s jealousy and possessiveness intensified after Justine’s trip to Florida in April 2003, where she befriended a Navy sailor. Danny perceived this as a threat to their relationship.
Angela Ford: Danny became consumed with the belief that Justine was cheating on him.
In the early hours of September 2, 2003, Justine’s absence became apparent. Her family sought community assistance while managing suspicions and uncertainty. Efforts to locate her took precedence within the community, while Danny, attempting to appear concerned, involved himself in the search.
Breakthroughs occurred when Justine’s truck was found at a park-and-ride five miles from her home, compelling investigators to explore possible connections. Danny suggested Florida as a potential destination, but subsequent investigations ruled out potential leads in the area.
Danny and Brandon’s behavior drew red flags throughout the investigation. Brandon’s actions were frequently guided by Danny, resulting in intensified scrutiny from detectives.
Ed Bonner: As we interviewed more and more people … Generally, what they did, they did together.
Events took a turn after Brandon confessed he knew where Justine was buried, blaming Danny. Investigators found that Danny and Brandon meticulously planned crimes and possessed a shared violent fixation.
Brandon Fernandez (FBI interview): I didn’t know what was gonna happen … But Danny said, ‘No, man, you need to come up here.’
Brandon led investigators to Justine’s grave after detailing their last encounter, confirming the sequence of events leading to her tragic loss. Danny later admitted to killing Justine, but claimed Brandon initiated it.
Court proceedings following the arrest were swift yet painful for Justine’s family. Plea deals offered the hope of some resolution: Danny Bezemer pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, while Brandon Fernandez received a sentence for second-degree murder.
Adjustments to California’s murder laws ongoingly challenge the Vanderschoots as legal ambiguities allow Brandon to continually contest his involvement.
Lynnette Vanderschoot: He still has not taken any responsibility … He’s guilty just as much as Danny.
In May 2024, Deputy DA Tim Weerts prepared to prove Brandon’s complicity, with Danny testifying about the details leading up to the murder. The prosecution reconstructed evidence of premeditated actions between the two men despite staunch denials from Brandon’s defense.
August 2024 marked another critical moment as the court upheld Brandon Fernandez’s conviction, substantiating the original verdict against him. The Vanderschoots received relief, yet acknowledged potential future challenges as parole hearings continued to loom.
Throughout an arduous legal journey, Justine’s legacy inspired advocacy for victim rights and contributed to the creation of Justine’s Law, emphasizing teen dating violence prevention education across California schools.
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