Wesley Shermantin (CDC) |
LINDEN, Calif. (KTLA) -- Investigators have identified the bodies of 2 women found in an abandoned well believed to be victims of the so-called "Speed Freak Killers" serial murderers.
They are Kimberly Billy, 19, and Joanna Hopson, 16.
Billy disappeared in December of 1984.
Hopson disappeared a year later.
Authorities were led to the location by convicted killer, Wesley Shermantine.
Shermantine, who is on death row, has been providing maps and information leading to the burial grounds of 10 or more victims of the drug fuel killing spree in the 1980's and 90's.
His partner, Loren Herzog, served 14 years on a plea deal and was paroled in 2010.
He committed suicide in January.
The two were referred to as the "Speed Freak Killers" for their alleged methamphetamine-fueled killing spree in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sacramento-based bounty hunter Leonard Padilla says he paid Shermatine $33,000 for the information.
Shermantine has pointed investigators to three wells in recent weeks.
At the first well, investigators unearthed hundreds of human bones, purses, shoes, jewelry and other evidence.
Some of the remains have been preliminarily identified by a forensic dentist as those of Cyndi Vanderheiden's, spokesperson Deputy Les Garcia said.
More remains, possibly of Chevelle "Chevy" Wheeler were also found.
Wheeler disappeared when she was 16 years old, and was last seen with Shermantine and Herzog.
Searchers are currently looking for a second well in the area that could hold more remains.
All three wells are about a mile apart in a remote part of Calaveras County where Shermantine and childhood friend Loren Herzog were raised.
They are Kimberly Billy, 19, and Joanna Hopson, 16.
Billy disappeared in December of 1984.
Hopson disappeared a year later.
Authorities were led to the location by convicted killer, Wesley Shermantine.
Shermantine, who is on death row, has been providing maps and information leading to the burial grounds of 10 or more victims of the drug fuel killing spree in the 1980's and 90's.
His partner, Loren Herzog, served 14 years on a plea deal and was paroled in 2010.
He committed suicide in January.
The two were referred to as the "Speed Freak Killers" for their alleged methamphetamine-fueled killing spree in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sacramento-based bounty hunter Leonard Padilla says he paid Shermatine $33,000 for the information.
Shermantine has pointed investigators to three wells in recent weeks.
At the first well, investigators unearthed hundreds of human bones, purses, shoes, jewelry and other evidence.
Some of the remains have been preliminarily identified by a forensic dentist as those of Cyndi Vanderheiden's, spokesperson Deputy Les Garcia said.
More remains, possibly of Chevelle "Chevy" Wheeler were also found.
Wheeler disappeared when she was 16 years old, and was last seen with Shermantine and Herzog.
Searchers are currently looking for a second well in the area that could hold more remains.
All three wells are about a mile apart in a remote part of Calaveras County where Shermantine and childhood friend Loren Herzog were raised.
