On September 18, 2003, the remains of Justine Vanderschoot were discovered in a remote area, two weeks after she went missing. Her parents, Don and Lynnette Vanderschoot, keep her memory alive in the garden outside her bedroom, which they call “Justine’s Garden.”
Lynnette Vanderschoot: “It’s been 21 years since we lost Justine, but her memory is still fresh in our minds.”
Inside the garden stands a dogwood tree, a reminder of Justine’s love for the Sierra mountains.
“When we celebrated the 17th anniversary, Christine noted that Justine had been gone as long as she had been with us,” Lynnette recalled.
Christine Vanderschoot, Justine’s older sister, describes these years as lonely. The two sisters were inseparable, sharing a close bond.
“We did everything together,” Christine shared. “She was vibrant, charismatic, the life of the party.”
Justine was a cheerleader and athlete who aspired to a career in fashion. Her sister and parents cherish the joyful spirit she brought into their lives.
The family’s fight began after Justine’s murder, compounded by ongoing appeals by her convicted killers, Danny Bezemer and Brandon Fernandez, to reduce their sentences. Both had been welcomed into the Vanderschoot home as friends before Justine’s death.
Don Vanderschoot: “We don’t want to forget her, but it’s hard dealing with reminders of what happened.”
Retired Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner recounted how the Vanderschoots faced seven court appearances over the years due to parole hearings and appeals.
Christine recalled initial introductions with Brandon and Danny years earlier, and Danny quickly became a fixture in their family. She described red flags they later recognized as concerning:
“Danny was controlling, telling Justine whom she could see, monitoring her communications,” Christine said.
Before her disappearance, Justine had become aware of Danny’s possessiveness, a situation that worsened when she met someone new during a Florida trip in April 2003. Angela Ford, a retired detective, explained that Danny’s fear of losing Justine intensified during this period.
On the morning of September 2, 2003, Justine went missing, prompting a massive search effort by her family and the community. Suspicion grew around Danny and Brandon, with their involvement eventually unraveled during FBI interviews.
Brandon confessed to knowing where Justine was buried, implicating Danny further. Despite conflicting narratives, the evidence of their guilt was overwhelming.
In 2005, Danny accepted a plea deal for first-degree murder, receiving 25 years to life, while Brandon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, sentencing him to 15 years to life. However, changes in California’s murder laws have allowed Brandon to pursue resentencing, causing continued anguish for Justine’s family.
The Vanderschoots were active in advocating for victims’ rights and helped sponsor Justine’s Law, now educating high school students about dating violence.
“We’re always fighting for her,” Christine stated. “She has no voice, so we’re her voice.”
Despite legal battles, the Vanderschoots persist, hoping to secure peace and justice for their daughter. The fight continues with a pending appeal at the appellate court, but they remain determined.