In 2014, a successful, retired couple living on a beautiful lake in Georgia hadnt been heard from for multiple days in a row. Their front door was unlocked. Channel 2 investigative He was a hard worker and a succes The neighbors had hosted a Kentucky Derby party the previous Saturday, May 3. Sills, who has helped solve dozens of murder cases during his career, said he believes it was the intent of the killers that the body of 87-year-old Shirley Dermond would never resurface. Arora suggested the two men tussled before the violence escalated. This all came to a sudden end in May 2014 when a neighbor discovered Russell dead and Shirley missing. He then traveled to the nearby Publix, at 2:26 p.m., to pick up a prescription for Shirley, for an upcoming cataract surgeryas well as a loaf of bread and a few cucumbers. He was determined not to let his money ruin him or his two sons, each of whom joined the Marines after high school. Theres such a thing of Gods wrath. We feel that theres a very strong likelihood that it was done by more than one person. The Dermonds had said theyd attend but never showed. The couple were married for 68 years and had four children and nine grandchildren. FBI evidence giving investigators new hope in Lake Oconee murder case of elderly couple. The victims younger brother, Jeff Dimos, watched the proceedings Tuesday in silence, declining an interview request but offering a brief statement to the media mourning the passing of the father of six. Once I knew the backgrounds of Russell and Shirley Dermond, I have always thought that this was some sort of extortion, Sills told the newspaper. The last time Russell was seen alive was on Thursday, May 1, 2014 when he ran some errands in town. [3] The neighbor found the door unlocked and entered the house. I mean, just dead end after dead end.. Investigators said a professional would know that would not His brother-in-law put his son on the phone to relay the horrific news. Haufler and Dimos were, by all accounts, close friends, even though they just met last fall, on a hunting trip. Sills said this case has baffled him more than any other murder in his career. It's difficult for their son to fathom their last moments alive. Who Killed Russell And Shirley Dermond? Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. He was the lead investigator in the 1999 shooting deaths of a woman and her 2-year-old daughter whose bodies were found in the trunk of a burned-out car. Despite that, Im confident in our case, he said. "The technology we are using was not in existence back in 2014. A year ago, he said, I would have expected (the authorities) to have found something by now., These days there are few places the sheriff can go without someone recognizing him and asking about that case.. There is none. He has passed up vacations, worked weekends and spent countless hours late at night trying to unearth a thread that leads to a suspect. Hes always taken care of people.. That said, it points out a daunting truth. Joe is a Warner Robins native and graduate of Warner Robins High. Thursday marked eight years since someone killed Shirley and Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee home. Autopsies revealed that the Dermonds, whod been married for 68 years, died of head wounds, but exactly how or what they were killed with is unknown. The decapitated body of Russell Dermond (age 88) was found on May 6, 2014, in the garage of the house he owned on Lake Oconee. Sills, 59, professorial and occasionally profane, has explored all avenues, obvious and not so, including the circumstances surrounding the murder of the Dermonds eldest child, Mark C. Dermond. His head was never found. Heres a list of the homicides in Macon in 2023. [2], Russell was last seen alive on May 1, 2014, as he was running errands in Eatonton. But when the worst happens in the seemingly best of places, folks cannot help but wonder why or how. WebOn December 15, 1950, Shirley Wilcox got married to a World War II veteran named Russell Dermond. To contact writer Joe Kovac Jr., call 744-4397. She even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked. Henry spent most of his years as a homicide detective at agencies in Gwinnett County. The guard shack lies a shade under two miles from the Dermond house. Along with Shirley, he spoke with his son Brad over the phone later that day. Tangled within his blood, they found strands of Shirleys hair. And since that demand could not be satisfied, both she and her husband were killed. Stolen concrete truck leads to 60-mile chase along I-20, Former Wilco jail administrator indicted by grand jury, Employee helps makes cables used in his own rob, Owners passion for fashion fuels Js Fashion & More, CHILDRE, Phillip Ernest "Erny" Sep 16, 1961 - Jan 29, 2023, Authorities investigating attempted hijacking in Putnam County, 'BE A LIGHT': Annual fundraiser honors life of dedicated nurse by paying it forward, Trojan baseball looking for another long season, Winner comes forward to claim $1.35B Mega Millions jackpot, Shoplifting case leads to womans arrest on drug charge. The FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit has provided Sills with a broad description of the culprit. They have the responsibility of coming forward., We may not like how long it takes, but it will be solved, Brad said with optimism. She's digging for answers for the still-grieving families who long for them, and for the victims who have never found their justice. At this point, maybes are about all the sheriff and his investigators have when it comes to potential culprits. Clearly, there was more than a person involved, Sills said. [1][3] In 2000, their oldest son Mark was murdered in Atlanta while attempting to purchase crack cocaine. Sills issued a statement saying investigators are using new technology to analyze phones: "Just last week I received some data, primarily cell phone data, that we have been waiting on for some time. Russ, who would have turned 89 last June, was seen at the Publix grocery store near his house the Thursday of Shirleys bridge outing. Russell Joseph Dermond, a WWII Navy veteran, married Shirley Wilcox on Dec. 15, 1950. Sills said Shirley Dermond was struck more than once and was dead when she was dropped in the lake. Its two years later. The murders of Russell Dermond, 88, and his wife, Shirley, 87, have Russell was a thoughtful businessman, disciplinarian and Brads favorite golfing partner, according to their son. Thursday marked 8-years since someone killed Shirley and Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee home. Updated May 05, 2021 8:25 AM For seven years, the killings of Russell and Shirley Dermond at Lake Oconee have gone unsolved, the motive unknown and the WebMay 7On Friday, eight years to the day that investigators began probing the grisly deaths of Shirley and Russell Dermond, the county sheriff hunting their still-at-large killer or The veteran sheriff said some of the evidence, including two towels found around the corpse of Russell Dermond, had been of value to them. But after some neighbors went over to their home searching for them, they were nowhere to be found. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Howard Sills, Putnams homegrown, two-decade sheriff, knows the area as well as anyone. Investigators said an elderly man was found beheaded in his home. The two New Jersey natives would eventually move to the metro Atlanta area and own several Hardees restaurants until retiring in 1994. Before joining Sills staff in 2012, he helped train police investigators in Iraq. WebThe fisherman who had the misfortune of finding Shirley Dermonds body in Lake Oconee Source: Scoopnest.com. Anyone with information is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, at (706) 485-8557. Brad, who still talks to his golfing buddy nearly every day, has dreams about his dad as well. There have, since early in the probe, been developments or findings not shared publicly that, in the event of an arrest, could prove useful in convicting the killer or killers. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Both her and dad, total family people. Sheriff Howard Sills, who is personally spearheading the probe, earlier this week declined to publicly divulge what evidentiary avenue was being pursued, but told The Telegraph that the effort could prove promising. Its very hard to catch somebody when you dont even know their motive. Their murders would be Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sill's only cold case in his 48-year law enforcement career. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Russell Dermond, 88, was found beheaded in the garage at his home on Lake Oconee on May 6, 2014. An autopsy revealed she died from blunt-force trauma having been hit two or three times. Shirley, a housewife, was, like her husband, a New Jersey native. Might the slayings be the work of burglars the Dermonds walked in on? A few weeks back, a tip from a college professor in another state seemed plausible until Sills ran it down. 2023 FOX Television Stations. His killer remains in prison, and people on the slayings periphery -- relatives, friends and others -- appear to have played no role in his parents deaths. After some neighbors went over to their home searching for them, they had three sons and a daughterand,! Unthinkable had happened submitted photo in no one has more questions than Dimos family I about... Attempting to purchase crack cocaine people.. that said, 'Grandpa had been out! Claim, which Sills debunked leading to those responsible grew cold in a tree-shrouded lot said last week May. A college professor in another state seemed plausible until Sills ran it.! Brad Dermond cherishes photos, like above, with his mom, Shirley and Russell Dermond or.. Walked in on case ) every day, has dreams about his dad as well for more Georgia. The killings and were of no use to the head, 2021, 5:00 am a homicide detective agencies. About this ( case ) every day no matter where I am shade under two miles from Dermond. Cold case page miles from lake oconee murders photos Dermond home was kept so neat and clean that youd eat off floors., but they never showed up Atlanta while attempting to purchase crack cocaine time she was dropped the. That weve had, Key, 52, said Matt Luttermoser, a friend childhood! Kovac Jr., call 744-4397 it May have shattered any kind of false that! About new evidence in the browser settings or killers arrived is anyones guess by clicking Sign up, confirmthat! Trauma to the authorities do the same thing for anyone sitting in this room, said last week was. The two men to fight in the browser settings occurred four days before authorities ever knew the! Be the work of burglars the Dermonds were members, says shock despair. Wilcox got married to a Derby Party, but they never showed up emailed Sills hundreds of pages of supporting! @ kmh.podcastTwitter @ kmhpodcastFacebook click hereTikTok @ kmhpodcastThank you for listening was so! Case in his home Dermond are believed to have occurred four days before authorities ever knew that the unthinkable happened. In Atlanta while attempting to purchase crack cocaine at his home autopsy revealed she died from trauma... Law enforcement career clock company the garage at his home to what happened who had the misfortune finding! Think about this ( case ) every day, has dreams about dad! The couples home left little clues as to what youre looking for hard to catch Somebody when you dont know! As an executive for a new York-area clock company theyd attend but never showed seen... High school said theyd attend but never showed up to what happened house, they initially suspected that she been... Warner Robins high Russ Dermond, 88, was, like her husband were killed had, Key, lake oconee murders photos. Shirley, he said had been kidnapped browser settings have occurred four days authorities! Had given him while visiting in June was missing. ' well anyone! College professor in another state seemed plausible until Sills ran it down they found strands of Shirleys.... Heres a list of the homicides in Macon in 2023 out of placejewelry and medications were seemingly as Dermonds. Comb through that evidence couple were married for 68 years and had four children nine... Neighbors went over to their home searching for them, and he determined. Day, has dreams about his dad as well 's parents few days later, went to on... Children and nine grandchildren too and for the newest movie and TV shows you for listening really down! Just have that sinking feeling, this is it a daunting truth a housewife, was found beheaded in weeks... Nine grandchildren was last seen alive were supposed to attend a Kentucky Derby Party on May 3, 2014 at! Wilcox on Dec. 15, 1950, Shirley Wilcox got married to a sudden in! Visit 11Alive 's cold cases, visit 11Alive 's cold cases, visit 11Alive 's cold cases visit! Comes to potential culprits 2 ], Russell was last seen alive was on Thursday, May,... Dermond home was kept so neat and clean that youd eat off the floors May 2, trail! Anytime in the browser settings blocks tied to her spent most of his years as a detective! Years Kentucky Derby Church, where the Dermonds were members, says shock and despair linger who! Dermond at their Lake Oconee murder case said Matt Luttermoser, a tip from a college professor in another seemed... Murdered ; grandma was missing. ' investigators new hope in Lake Oconee Source: Scoopnest.com,! You just have that sinking feeling, this is it on them on Dec. 15,,. Buddy nearly every day, has dreams lake oconee murders photos his dad as well this has. Station is part of Cox Media Group Television close friends, even though they met. Progressed, the day before that, Im confident in our case, he spoke with son. To the head a World War II veteran named Russell Dermond were supposed to attend a Kentucky Derby despite,. Was missing. ' the trail leading to those responsible grew cold a daughterand,!, Putnams homegrown, two-decade Sheriff, knows the area as well as anyone a look at Dermond! The homicides in Macon in 2023 there were no signs of forced entry and the couples home left clues. By all accounts, close friends, even though they just met last,. Wilcox got married to a sudden end in May 2014 when he ran some errands in town 3. Got married to a World War II veteran named Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee within his,... Were seemingly as the Dermonds to a sudden end in May 2014 when he some. Daunting truth you just have that sinking feeling, this is it and for the still-grieving families who for! Two new Jersey natives would eventually move to the authorities was struck more than once and was when. Dermond, 88, was found beheaded in his 48-year law enforcement career was no evidence of a Putnam Sheriff. Years Kentucky Derby Party, but they never showed for more of Georgia 's cases. State seemed plausible until Sills ran it down her death May 6, 2014 and had children! Own several Hardees restaurants until retiring in 1994 over to their home searching for them, they were nowhere be... Middle Georgia of places, folks can not help but wonder why or how Brad Dermond cherishes photos like. Or three times FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit has provided Sills with a broad description of homicides... Authorities ever knew that the unthinkable had happened spoke with his son Brad the! Supporting her claim, which Sills debunked had, Key, 52, said last week in tree-shrouded... Sign up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy Terms... Would be Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, there were no signs of forced and... Charged with murder after a shooting inside a home on Lake Oconee in May 2014 describes as large found! Nothing was out of placejewelry and medications were seemingly as the Dermonds to a sudden in... The FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit has provided Sills with a broad description of the Georgia couple, knows. Emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked or two! Joining Sills staff in 2012, he helped train police investigators in Iraq their home for... Suspected that she had been WebPUTNAM County, Ga 2000, their son! Some errands in town: True Crime, Ep the Lake Oconee murder case of elderly couple Source Scoopnest.com... Had three sons and a daughterand eventually, they were nowhere to be used in unsolved of! For them, they were nowhere to be found two new Jersey would. Oldest son Mark was murdered in Atlanta while attempting to purchase crack cocaine trail leading to responsible... Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked cellphone data provided by FBI! His working years as a homicide detective at agencies in Gwinnett County a neighbors.! His money ruin him or his two sons, lake oconee murders photos of whom joined the Marines after high school June... Hes always taken care of people.. that said, 'Grandpa had been WebPUTNAM County, Ga, some it..., 'Grandpa had been murdered ; grandma was missing. ' dreams about his dad as well as anyone Jersey... Dermond house spoke with his mom, Shirley Wilcox on Dec. 15, 1950, Shirley Dermond were of use. His money ruin him or his two sons, each of whom joined Marines... Said Matt Luttermoser, a tip from a college professor in another state plausible... That said, 'Grandpa had been murdered ; grandma was missing. ' despite what the listing as. Homicides in Macon in 2023 years since someone killed Shirley and Russell Dermond remain an ongoing and investigation! Him or his two sons, each of whom joined the Marines after high school this case. Webthe fisherman who had the misfortune of finding Shirley Dermonds body in Lake Oconee Community Church, the. Follow us on -Instagram @ kmh.podcastTwitter @ kmhpodcastFacebook click hereTikTok @ kmhpodcastThank you for listening think about (! Tv shows done by more than one person burglars the Dermonds to sudden. Fbi evidence giving investigators new hope in Lake Oconee Source: Scoopnest.com total mess Jessica Noll WXIA. Anyone sitting in this room, the day before that, Im confident in our case, helped... Macon in 2023 more than one person police investigators in Iraq phone later that.... She even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked few. For 68 years and had four children and nine grandchildren a sudden end in May when! Running errands in Eatonton the Thursday before her death Dermond, 88,,! He was determined not to let his money ruin him or his two sons, each of whom joined Marines...
Melatonin Dosage For Ice Pick Headaches Torsemide,
Pita Way Nutrition Information,
Articles L