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Who Was Justine Vanderschoot & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile

by · July 24, 2026

Justine Vanderschoot was a bright, confident 17-year-old from Auburn, California, whose life was cut short in one of Placer County’s most shocking murders. Her killing in September 2003 devastated her family and community, while the circumstances surrounding her death exposed the dangers of controlling teenage relationships. More than two decades later, her case continues to shape conversations about victims’ rights, parole reform and teen dating violence.

Today, Justine’s legacy lives on through her family’s advocacy, a California law inspired by her story, and their continuing efforts to ensure the men responsible for her murder remain behind bars.

A Teenager With Her Future Ahead of Her

Justine Vanderschoot grew up in Placer County, California, where she was surrounded by a close-knit family that included her parents, Don and Lynnette Vanderschoot, and her sister, Christine. Those who knew her described her as intelligent, independent and determined, with clear goals for the future.

Family members have remembered Justine as someone who brought energy wherever she went. Her mother described her as a young woman who knew what she wanted from life, while others recalled that she could light up a room with her personality. She was a devoted daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend whose life appeared full of promise.

Like many teenagers, Justine enjoyed spending time with friends while preparing for adulthood. Nothing suggested that her life would soon become the focus of one of Northern California’s most heartbreaking murder investigations.

A Relationship That Took a Dangerous Turn

Justine began dating Daniel Bezemer while they were both teenagers. At first, the relationship appeared ordinary. Bezemer spent time with her family, visited their home and even joined them for dinner.

As time passed, however, his behavior changed. According to investigators and members of Justine’s family, Bezemer became increasingly jealous and controlling. He demanded to know where Justine was, questioned who she spent time with and became convinced she was being unfaithful.

After her death, her family reflected on the warning signs they had witnessed. What initially appeared to be teenage insecurity later became clear as patterns of possessiveness and coercive control. The Vanderschoots have since used their daughter’s story to educate others about recognizing abusive behavior before it escalates.

Justine’s Disappearance

Labor Day weekend in 2003 began like any other weekend. On the evening of September 1, Justine had dinner with her parents before leaving with Bezemer.

When she failed to return home, her parents became alarmed. In the early hours of September 2, Lynnette Vanderschoot discovered that Justine was not in her bedroom and that her truck was missing from the driveway.

The family reported her missing, prompting an extensive search involving law enforcement, volunteers and members of the Auburn community. As the days passed without any sign of Justine, concern grew that something far more serious had happened.

A Carefully Planned Murder

Investigators later uncovered evidence showing the murder had been planned before Justine disappeared.

Days before the killing, Daniel Bezemer and his roommate, Brandon Fernandez, traveled to a remote wooded area near Applegate, northeast of Auburn, where they dug a grave. Horse trainer Matt Scribner happened to ride past the location while horseback riding and noticed the freshly dug hole. Although he found it unusual, he had no reason to believe it would soon become part of a homicide investigation.

On the night Justine disappeared, prosecutors said Bezemer strangled her before transporting her to the remote burial site with Fernandez.

The cruelty of the crime extended beyond the killing itself. Medical evidence later showed that Justine still had dirt in her lungs and esophagus, indicating she was alive and breathing when she was buried. The autopsy revealed she had suffered one of the most horrifying deaths imaginable.

The Investigation Uncovers the Truth

As detectives investigated Justine’s disappearance, they quickly focused on people closest to her. Friends described Bezemer as jealous and possessive, while investigators noticed inconsistencies in statements given by both Bezemer and Fernandez.

On September 17, 2003, Placer County Sheriff’s detectives, assisted by the FBI, questioned both men separately. During his interview, Brandon Fernandez confessed and led investigators to Justine’s grave in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Bezemer also admitted strangling Justine but attempted to place greater responsibility on Fernandez. Prosecutors later noted that each suspect incriminated the other during questioning, strengthening the evidence against both men.

The investigation also gained important support from Matt Scribner after he recognized photographs of the burial site in a local newspaper. He contacted authorities and explained that he had seen the freshly dug grave several days before Justine disappeared, providing investigators with evidence that the murder had been planned in advance.

Justice in Court

To spare Justine’s family the emotional toll of a lengthy murder trial, prosecutors negotiated plea agreements with both defendants.

In 2005, Daniel Bezemer pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Brandon Fernandez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for his role in the killing.

Although the convictions ended the criminal prosecution, they did not end the family’s involvement with the justice system. As both men became eligible for parole, the Vanderschoots returned repeatedly to hearings to argue against their release.

Continuing the Fight for Justice

The family’s battle entered a new phase in 2017 when Brandon Fernandez became eligible for parole. His request for release was denied after the Vanderschoot family, prosecutors and thousands of supporters urged parole officials to keep him incarcerated.

Following changes to California’s murder laws under Senate Bill 1437, Fernandez later sought resentencing by arguing he was merely an accomplice rather than a participant in the murder. Prosecutors disputed that claim, maintaining that he actively participated in the planned killing and burial.

After an evidentiary hearing in 2024, the court denied Fernandez’s resentencing petition, leaving his murder conviction intact. He has also continued to be denied parole, while Daniel Bezemer has likewise remained in prison after repeated parole denials.

Justine’s Legacy

Although Justine’s life ended at just 17 years old, her story continues to have an impact across California.

Her family has become outspoken advocates for victims’ rights and teen dating violence awareness, encouraging parents and young people to recognize controlling behavior before it escalates into abuse. Their efforts also helped inspire Assembly Bill 1071, known as Justine’s Law, which established a statewide teen dating violence prevention resource portal for California schools.

Annual vigils, community events and continuing support from the Placer County District Attorney’s Office ensure that Justine’s memory remains strong more than two decades after her murder. While her family continues to oppose every effort to release the men responsible, they also hope her story will help prevent other families from experiencing the same devastating loss.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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