
Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast — Series 3
California: The Maps and Shadow of Speed
April 7, 202029mEpisode 1
Show Notes
California’s notorious Speed Freak Killers spark terror in tales of... pure malevolence and lawlessness that grip communities in fear. The chilling saga of Wesley Shermantine and Loren Herzog unravels in the harrowing first episode of Season 3, diving into their destructive swath.
Foul Play’s gripping third season scrutinizes the darkest corners of crime scenes and their reverberating impacts. Episode 1 begins with the exploration of the terrifying duo whose brutal rampage echoes long after their capture.
Before their descent into infamy, Shermantine and Herzog were merely known as young men capable of friendship and camaraderie. However, their latent dark inclinations gradually unfolded, cementing their legacy as predators of the unsuspecting.
The Speed Freak Killers’ tale is more than horror; it reflects the vulnerabilities within rural law enforcement and community trust. By exposing human malevolence, the story amplifies the need for vigilance and preparedness against deviance in unsuspected forms.
Key story elements trace Shermantine and Herzog’s calculated trajectory, driven by an insatiable lust for control and violence. The episode recounts their brutal acts, the eventual unraveling of their secrets, and the cat-and-mouse game that ensued with authorities determined to end their killing spree.
Set against the backdrop of late 20th-century rural California, where small towns grappled with limited resources, the era amplified the killers’ initial success in evading capture. This historical context underpins the challenges faced by local agencies, amplifying the sinister impact of their crimes.
Listeners will delve into chilling retellings of cruelty and manipulation, exploring how these perpetrators orchestrated fear and chaos in their secluded community. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding the societal and institutional inaction that allowed their devastation.
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Credits
Shane Waters — Founder & Host
Wendy Cee — Co-Host
Produced by Myths & Malice