Family’s hopes vanish with positive DNA test results

Terri Vanderheiden’s long wait for word of her daughter has finally come to an end -- DNA tests of remains found in the Central Valley have positively confirmed that 25-year-old Cyndi Vanderheiden fell victim to serial killer Wesley Shermantine.

Authorities had used dental records to initially confirmed that the remains found in Calaveras County were those of Vanderheiden, but the family was waiting for DNA to give them the final word.

On Tuesday, the DNA tests came back, confirming the remains belong to Vanderheiden and 16-year-old Chevelle "Chevy" Wheeler -- two of four deaths attributed to Shermantine.

The 45-year-old Shermantine led authorities to the remains earlier this month. They were on property that his family once owned about 60 miles south of Sacramento in Calaveras County.

Shermantine has also led authorities to a well in San Joaquin County where investigators have found hundreds of human bone fragments.

Shermantine and childhood friend Loren Herzog were referred to as the "Speed Freak Killers." Authorities say the two went on a methamphetamine-fueled killing spree in the 1980s and 90s.

In the small Central Valley town of Clements, the Vanderheiden’s porch light has remained on every night as a symbol of the family's wait for her to come home.

Though her partial remains were found in Calaveras County, her parents told KTVU Monday night the light will stay on for all the unidentified victims of Speed Freak Killers.

"A lot of other families need closure," said Terri Vanderheiden. "My porch light will stay on forever, because my home is always welcome and I want them to find the way."

The Vanderheidens said they never stopped looking for their daughter. They said she met Herzog at the bar the Vanderheiden's owned at the time in Linden.

The family established a search headquarters next to their home. They will finally remove the sign which reads "Cyndi Search" when they receive her remains.

"It's sad that we know we will never bring her home alive," said John Vanderheiden. "But it's a relief that we did find her and that we can take proper care of her."

The Vanderheidens plan to hold a public memorial for their daughter Cyndi and bury her at the Clements Cemetery less than a mile from her home.