Howard Michael King III, aged 35, was tragically murdered on November 27, 1984, on Roberts Island, California. His death was part of a series of brutal killings attributed to the notorious "Speed Freak Killers," Loren Herzog and Wesley Shermantine. King and his companion, Paul Raymond Cavanaugh, were found shot to death in their car on a remote road on Roberts Island.
According to reports, Shermantine shot King while he was seated behind the wheel and then dragged Cavanaugh out of the passenger side, shooting him at point-blank range. The tire tracks found at the scene matched Shermantine's vehicle, linking him directly to the crime.
The investigation into King's murder revealed a pattern of violence and drug abuse by Herzog and Shermantine, who were known for their methamphetamine addiction. The duo's criminal activities spanned several years, with their first confirmed murder occurring just months after they graduated from high school in 1984. They were eventually apprehended in 1999, following a lengthy investigation that connected them to multiple homicides across California.
In 2001, Shermantine was convicted of four murders, including those of King and Cavanaugh, and was sentenced to death. Herzog, who initially faced similar charges, had his convictions overturned due to improper police interrogation techniques. He later accepted a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter and accessory to murder, serving a reduced sentence. Herzog was paroled in 2010 but committed suicide in 2012. Shermantine remains on death row at San Quentin State Prison.
The case of Howard Michael King III is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of drug-fueled violence and the importance of thorough investigative work in bringing perpetrators to justice. The Speed Freak Killers' reign of terror left a lasting scar on the communities they targeted, and their story continues to be a chilling example of the depths of human depravity.
