Families Of Murder Victims Await News On Remains

SAN ANDREAS (CBS13) – The families of missing murder victims believed to have been killed by the infamous serial killing duo "Speed Freak Killers" are watching developments closely after learning that a human skull has been found at the site pointed out by one of the convicted killers.

Investigators with the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department contacted the family of Cyndi Vanderheiden, who was killed in 1998 by Loren Herzog and Wesley Shermantine, to tell them they located a human skull on a rural part of Calaveras County near the former home of the two murderers.

Cyndi's father, John Vanderheiden, said San Joaquin Sheriff Steve Moore told him the department is working with the coroner's office and the Department of Justice to identify the victim through DNA testing.

"Fourteen years I've been waiting, and finally we might get some closure," John said.

Bounty hunter Leonard Padilla said he's confident authorities were led to the remains by an updated map drawn by Shermantine, who agreed to give up the location of missing victims in exchange for $18,000 in restitution costs.

Padilla said he hopes authorities no longer need the death row inmate to point out the burial sites in person, a plan that created friction between law enforcement agencies and delayed the search.

"We've been able to communicate with mail and maps," Padilla said.

The news brought hope to the family of another Shermantine murder victim, Chevy Wheeler, who disappeared near her high school in Stockton in 1985.

"Oh my heart jumped," said Maryann Brown, Chevy's aunt. "Being a mother, the tears just came."

Deputies plan to continue searching the area Friday.