In a remote part of the Sierra Nevada foothills, Matt Scribner, a local horse farrier and trainer, made a chilling discovery on Labor Day weekend in 2003. As he rode his horse along a trail just a few miles northeast of Auburn, California, he stumbled upon a freshly dug hole that caught his attention. Scribner’s curiosity was piqued, and the sight of the hole lingered in his mind, haunting him as he tried to make sense of its presence. Little did he know that this seemingly innocuous hole would lead to a harrowing murder case that would grip the community for years to come.
Revisiting the site with “48 Hours” contributor Natalie Morales, Scribner recounted the moment he first encountered the hole, sharing the eerie feeling that lingered with him long after he rode past it. The sense of unease only intensified when, a week later, Scribner noticed a search team gathering nearby and learned of the disappearance of 17-year-old Justine Vanderschoot, a local teen who had captured the community’s attention.
Justine’s parents, Don and Lynnette Vanderschoot, reported her missing in September 2003, setting off a frantic search for their daughter. Desperate for answers, the Vanderschoots reached out to the community for help, but as days turned into weeks with no sign of Justine, a sense of foreboding settled over the area. The discovery of the pre-dug grave by Scribner added a chilling layer to the unfolding mystery, hinting at a darker truth lurking beneath the surface.
As Sheriff’s detectives delved into the investigation, suspicions quickly focused on Justine’s boyfriend, Danny Bezemer, and his roommate, Brandon Fernandez. The dynamics of their relationships with Justine, marked by jealousy and possessiveness, raised red flags for law enforcement. With the help of the FBI, detectives managed to separate Bezemer and Fernandez for questioning, a crucial step that would ultimately unravel the truth behind Justine’s disappearance.
During a tense interview with FBI agent Jeff Rinek, Fernandez cracked under pressure and confessed to his involvement in Justine’s murder. He led investigators to the grave site, confirming Scribner’s earlier suspicions and shedding light on the gruesome details of Justine’s death. Fernandez’s admission implicated Bezemer as the mastermind behind the murder, setting the stage for a legal battle that would span years and test the resolve of all involved.
In a bid to spare Justine’s family from a protracted trial, both Bezemer and Fernandez accepted plea deals that would see them behind bars for their roles in the crime. Bezemer pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, receiving a sentence of 25 years to life, while Fernandez admitted to second-degree murder, resulting in a 15-year to life sentence. However, a change in California law in 2018 presented Fernandez with a potential path to freedom, raising concerns for the Vanderschoot family as they braced for a legal showdown that could upend the justice they fought so hard to secure.
As the Vanderschoots prepared to face Fernandez in court once again, the specter of his potential release loomed large, casting a shadow over their quest for closure. With emotions running high and tensions mounting, the family remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice for Justine, determined to be her voice in a system that threatened to silence her memory. The echoes of her tragic fate reverberated through the years, a stark reminder of the enduring impact of a life taken too soon.
The legal battle that unfolded in the wake of Justine’s murder served as a test of the justice system’s ability to deliver closure to those left behind. As the Vanderschoots braced for the outcome of Fernandez’s petition, their unwavering resolve to seek justice for Justine stood as a poignant tribute to their enduring love for their daughter. In a case marked by tragedy and loss, their voices rose above the din of legal proceedings, a testament to the enduring power of a family’s love in the face of unspeakable grief.
