It was a day like any other on September 18, 2003, when the calm of a small California town was shattered by the grim discovery of Justine Vanderschoot’s remains, two weeks after her mysterious disappearance. Justine, a vibrant 17-year-old with dreams of a career in fashion, had vanished under troubling circumstances, leaving her family in anguish and her community in shock.
- Justine Vanderschoot's remains found in 2003.
- Family created "Justine's Garden" for remembrance.
- Justine was vibrant and passionate about fashion.
- Danny Bezemer and Brandon Fernandez convicted.
- Ongoing legal battles over parole rights.
- "Justine's Law" aims to prevent teen violence.
On that fateful day, Justine’s parents, Don and Lynnette Vanderschoot, turned to their garden—a serene space just outside her bedroom window—hoping to find solace amid their sorrow. “It’s been 21 years since we’ve lost Justine,” Lynnette reflected, stating how memories of their daughter remain fresh in their minds with every flower that blooms in her garden. “We call this Justine’s Garden,” she added, surrounded by mementos and condolence flowers that remain a testament to her daughter’s short but impactful life.
Justine’s younger sister, Christine, described their bond as inseparable, saying, “She was my best friend. We did pretty much everything together since day one.” Their closeness amplified the loneliness Christine has felt since the tragedy, a sentiment echoed by the other family members grappling with their loss. Justine was described by those who knew her as vibrant and charismatic—a “little firecracker” who was always on the go, involved in cheerleading and sports.
Her disappearance took a sinister turn as inquiries revealed a pattern of controlling behavior from her then-boyfriend, Danny Bezemer. Friends noted how Danny’s jealousy began to escalate, isolating Justine from her circle. Lindsey Morris, the girlfriend of one of Danny’s friends, recounted Justine’s concerns about Danny’s possessiveness. “She even said, ‘I don’t know if I break up with him… if he’ll ever really let me go,’” Morris recalled, underscoring the emotional turmoil Justine faced leading up to her tragic fate.
The investigation revealed that Justine had recently started to assert her independence. During a spring break trip to Florida, she met a Navy sailor and returned home filled with new aspirations and ideas that left Danny feeling threatened. Alarmingly, just days before her disappearance, Justine confided to friends about wanting to break away from Danny, hinting at the toxic nature of their relationship.
On September 2, 2003, the day her parents noticed Justine was missing, Lynnette recalled feeling an unsettling void in the house. “This was so uncharacteristic of our daughter,” she later admitted, recounting the frantic moments as they sought help from the community to locate her. Days were filled with posters and pleas, the family holding onto the hope that Justine was alive, while others feared the worst.
The investigation took a pivotal turn when Justine’s truck was discovered in an isolated area not far from her home. Investigators discovered a recently dug hole nearby that coincided with sightings of Danny and his friend Brandon Fernandez at the location. As they dug deeper into the timeline of events leading to her disappearance, a chilling picture began to emerge.
Witness reports and digital evidence pointed towards a darker narrative. Danny and Brandon had both expressed concerning behaviors prior to Justine’s murder, involving conversations about violence and misogynistic sentiments. Retired Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner later stated, “Danny was possessive; he believed Justine was cheating on him.”
Days later, in a startling confession, Brandon reluctantly revealed crucial details about the night they met up with Justine. During police interrogation, he described how Danny’s escalating jealousy led to an irreversible tragedy. Brandon, who had originally been perceived as a mere accomplice, confessed he had witnessed Danny physically assaulting Justine, stating, “He was saying ‘I win, I win’,” referring eerily to a song that had been playing in the background during the incident.
As investigators uncovered more evidence, the narrative shifted, leading to the arrest of both men. Ultimately, Danny Bezemer was charged with first-degree murder, while Brandon Fernandez faced second-degree charges. During court proceedings in 2005, the Vanderschoot family faced their daughter’s killers, advocating for justice while telling their story of loss and heartbreak. “If the two gentlemen that are in custody now are responsible for this, they need to burn in hell,” Don Vanderschoot declared.
The legal aftermath of Justine’s murder did not end there. As the years passed, a series of parole hearings ensued, igniting renewed fears and ensuring that the Vanderschoots would not find peace, even as they fought diligently to keep her memory alive. Justine’s Law, enacted in 2023, aimed to raise awareness about dating violence and educate the youth in schools, ensuring her legacy would be one of prevention and advocacy.
Despite the turmoil, the Vanderschoot family remains resolute, retelling Justine’s story while seeking to safeguard other families from the pain they endure. Every moment spent in her garden serves as a reminder—not just of their loss, but of a promise: to continue fighting for justice and to help others recognize the signs of danger in relationships before it’s too late. As they stress, “We’re not going away. We’re never giving up.”
The future remains uncertain for Brandon, who is appealing his sentence, but the Vanderschoot family stands united—refusing to let their daughter’s story be forgotten as they navigate the complex landscape of grief, advocacy, and hope.
