Sills has chased down leads across the country, but still nothing to solve the case. There was no evidence of a struggle or forced entry and the couples home left little clues as to what happened. Down a sloped yard from the slain couples house, at the waters edge, there is a lighted dock. But, I cant find anyone who had an ax to grind with them and I cant find any connections to any kind of criminal enterprise or other activity, whatsoever.. It's difficult for their son to fathom their last moments alive. A look at the Dermond's home on Lake Oconee in May 2014. Russell and Shirley Dermond (Family photos). The guard shack lies a shade under two miles from the Dermond house. Babys dad is charged with murder, Whats coming to Middle Georgia? Sills believes that Dermond was decapitated after he was murdered in an attempt to hide evidence, such as a gunshot wound and bullet. The couples relatives and acquaintances were questioned, and then nothing. Russell's decapitated body was found on the floor of his two-car garage, lying in a small pool of blood. A real estate listing touts the homes expansive views and mentions fresh paint, new carpet.. EATONTON, Ga. Nearly every day for the past six years, Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills has done some sort of investigative work concerning the unsolved double-murder case of Russell and Shirley Dermond. Shirleys phone and purse were still in the house. When you start involving more and more people, it increases the chances of information being shared. Credit: Photo provided by Ceciley Pangburn, Inside exclusive Lake Oconee community, another confounding mystery, Lake Oconee decapitation mystery still consumes sheriff. Last May, some of Sills news conferences about the Dermond killings were aired live on Atlanta news channels. Their front door was unlocked. In the video, he can be seen wearing dark glasses, khaki shorts, a green polo shirt and dark gym shoesthe same clothes police found in his bedroom when they searched the Dermonds residence after his murder. [2], Russell was last seen alive on May 1, 2014, as he was running errands in Eatonton. Sills said he could not elaborate on what was discussed with FBI agents from the Macon field office, however. WebThe fisherman who had the misfortune of finding Shirley Dermonds body in Lake Oconee Source: Scoopnest.com. Russ Dermond. The Dermond mystery still generates its share of sometimes-kooky tips, which investigators dutifully check out. WebHer body was found by fishermen on Lake Oconee, weighed down with two 30-pound concrete blocks tied to her. Tangled within his blood, they found strands of Shirleys hair. Haufler and Dimos were, by all accounts, close friends, even though they just met last fall, on a hunting trip. (Jessica Noll / WXIA), Held up by push pins, the Dermonds' unsolved murder poster is faded, but remains on the Putnam County Sheriff's bulletin board as soon as you walk inside. So the neighbors, a few days later, went to check on them. Weighed down by a pair of 30-pound concrete blocks, her corpse bloated and surfaced facedown in 46 feet of water. Investigators believe they were searching for multiple suspects and the motive was robbery, but nothing appears to have been taken. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. FBI evidence giving investigators new hope in Lake Oconee murder case of elderly couple. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. "The technology we are using was not in existence back in 2014. They know what theyre doing. What played out over the next month would leave more questions than answers in their usually sleepy neighborhood. When asked how residents were coping in the year since the killings, a 77-year-old woman who lives a few doors down from the Dermond house told a reporter that she didnt want to discuss the matter. "The technology we are using was not in existence back in 2014," Sills said in a statement. If you want to support the channel and participate in future LIVE shows and other perks, click on the link and join Patreon! Naturally, the shifting narratives aroused suspicions. After working in the fast food industry, including owning several Hardee's locations in Atlanta, Russell retired in 1994. A neighbor had invited the Dermonds to a Derby party, but they never showed up. WebCheck out this great listen on Audible.com. Its security cameras had been knocked out by a storm in the weeks before the killings and were of no use to the authorities. She has been bludgeoned to death and her body had been The neighbors had hosted a Kentucky Derby party the previous Saturday, May 3. Mrs. Search continues for person who decapitated elderly man at Lake Oconee home Richard Elliot reports. He said he also believes that when Shirley Dermonds body was tossed into the lake, the killers could easily have thrown Russell Dermonds head into the lake at the same time. The 3,200-square-foot, $1 million home in Great Waters subdivision, lies just under 10 miles due south of Interstate 20 and a dozen or so miles northeast of downtown Eatonton. 2023 FOX Television Stations. She has been bludgeoned to death and her body had been weighted down with cinder blocks. FBI evidence giving investigators new hope in Lake Oconee murder case of elderly couple Thursday marked 8-years since someone killed Shirley and Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee home. Seems like every free minute Ive got, my mind is rehashing stuff, trying to think of things we may have missed or overlooked, Henry said. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Thursday marked 8-years since someone killed Shirley and Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee home. WebIn 2014, a successful, retired couple living on a beautiful lake in Georgia hadnt been heard from for multiple days in a row. [1] When police were unable to locate Shirley inside the house, they initially suspected that she had been kidnapped. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Russell Joseph Dermond, a WWII Navy veteran, married Shirley Wilcox on Dec. 15, 1950. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. But the thing is, a lot of the times serial killers are very hard to catch. The case remains as much a mystery today and is it did when the crimes first happened. Sills said he believes he knows the answer. His head was never found. The Dermond case has all but consumed him. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. There have been 11 violent homicides in Macon this year, including five in February, Heres how to qualify for medical marijuana in Georgia, Pregnant woman shot in the head, Georgia cops say. He said, 'Grandpa had been murdered; grandma was missing.'. Sills said Shirley Dermond was struck more than once and was dead when she was dropped in the lake. WebLake Oconee double murder probe turns to NY for clues; Person of interest identified in murder, beheading of elderly couple; Mystery man emerges in year-old Ga. beheading He told Wilfon that even eight years later, the family remains optimistic the case will get solved. The two were both New Jersey natives, who relocated to Georgia in the 1980s so that Russell could manage a chain of Hardee restaurants in the Atlanta metropolitan area. They were just really down-to-earth.. Manslaughter shouldve been the highest charge they came up with.. "If there was an enemy out there, (it) would have taken place a lot sooner than that.". Haufler will return to court in two weeks for a preliminary hearing. He suggests inebriation mightve played a role, noting the two men had purchased $130 worth of adult beverages the day before Haufler called 911, 30 minutes before sunrise on August 28. (FOX 5). Russell, 88, was found decapitated inside his garage on May 6, 2014, and two fishermen discovered 87-year-old Shirleys body 10 days later in Lake Oconee, about five miles from their lakefront home. "That person with that little sliver of knowledge would come forward at this point lives -- (that would be) very much appreciated with our family," their son said. WebThe murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond are believed to have occurred four days before authorities ever knew that the unthinkable had happened. If Russell Dermond was shot in the head like we believe was the case, there is likely a bullet inside and if that weapon that was used to kill him was used to commit another crime and that case got solved, then the bullet from that weapon could be used to match it back to the killing of Russell Dermond, Sills said. This story was originally published May 2, 2015, 8:37 PM. Babys dad is charged with murder, Whats coming to Middle Georgia? Sills has told The Telegraph that he and his deputies are not muddling along in the dark. As the year progressed, the trail leading to those responsible grew cold. But he wakes up before it leads anywhere. Ill just say that there was valuable evidence that we have yet to match up to anything.. Despite the non-stop efforts of local law enforcement, this cruel murder case has never been solved. After not hearing from the Dermonds for a few days, the friends went to the lakefront Dermond house that is nestled in a wooded cove on Carolyn Drive to check on the pair. This all came to a sudden end in May 2014 when a neighbor discovered Russell dead and Shirley missing. Heres a list of the homicides in Macon in 2023. 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. Unless somebody comes forward and gives them a clue, what else do they have to go on? He has reached out to the FBI to help comb through that evidence. They dont know the case theyre making, the defense lawyer said. We talked about some technological stuff that were working on right now.. Unsolved murders and disappearances, by nature, generate their share of speculation. At what point would you just have that sinking feeling, this is it? he said. That said, it points out a daunting truth. His wife, Shirley, was beaten to death and her body taken six miles away by boat to one of the deepest portions of Lake Oconee. Hes probably the nicest person I met in my entire life, said neighbor Mark OConnell, calling Haufler an honorable man.. He fit right in with Hauflers large circle of friends, joining them on a deep-sea fishing excursion 120 miles off the Atlantic coast. Example video title will go here for this video. Because he lacks any ties to the area, Haufler was denied bond and returned to the Greene County jail. Both were active members of the Oconee Community Church. The notion of such an atrocity in an exclusive, golf course-ringed neighborhood struck at peoples deepest fears: If it happened there, is anywhere safe? An autopsy found that she had died from either two or three deep wounds to the head from a blunt object. Within hours of the May 6, 2014, discovery there in the Great Waters subdivision, a dozen miles northeast of downtown Eatonton, investigators concluded that Dermonds wife of 68 years had disappeared. Monica Haufler testified Dimos suffered from Lewy Body Dementia, a diagnosis that, ironically, may figure into Hauflers defense. This was technology that was not available eight years ago.. Confident as they are in their fathers innocence, Chad Haufler s namesake admitted to unknowns that are still present.. Sills did not offer other details about the cell phone data, or if it belonged to anyone from the small, rural community where the couple was found dead. Movies. It was found by fishermen. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents are assisting by analyzing the new evidence, the sheriff said. Hauflers attorney, Manny Arora, has been equally circumspect, floating possible explanations for the fatal shooting of 51-year-old Marc Dimos but not yet settling on a fixed defense. The FBI, who has assisted the Putnam County Sheriffs Office in the investigation, launched an intensified search, placing Shirley Dermonds photo on digital billboards throughout the area, but received no information. But four years after their brutal murders, Russell and Shirley Dermond's son believes its time to talk and hopefully break someone elses silence, uncovering a clue into who killed his parents in rural Putnam County, Ga. READ MORE: Putnam County murder mystery: Why the sheriff won't ask the GBI for help. And they aint give up yet.. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy. They have merited days, weeks of inquiry. For more of Georgia's cold cases, visit 11Alive's Cold Case page. Submitted photo In 2014, Russell and Shirley Dermond were the victims of a brutal Lake Oconee murder that shocked the country. In the years since, the Putnam County Sheriffs Office would re-interview several times hoping something new would emerge. 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. The couple was supposed to attend a Kentucky Derby party that weekend, but never showed. It was a synthetic-type bag, Sills said. His body was discovered by neighbors in the garage of the couples home. A green canvas covering its boat slip bears the swirled script of the Reynolds Plantation logo. Get personalized Someone who likes guns and knives, Sills said, recalling some contents of the FBIs report. Their killer, a stranger whod abducted them at a park south of Atlanta, was sentenced to life without parole. A $45,000 reward was offered. He could have been shot, beaten or suffered some as-yet-unknown end. 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 headless body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond was on the floor surrounded by towels. 2023 Cox Media Group. Ten days later, a pair of fishermen found Shirley, 87, dead near a Lake Oconee dam about five miles from their Eatonton lakefront home. Nothing was out of placejewelry and medications were seemingly as the Dermonds had left them. Web703K views, 717 likes, 10 loves, 118 comments, 309 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from HLN: Whoever killed Russell & Shirley Dermond is still out there. Key recalls the Dermonds being in church the weekend before they died, and how so much time has passed since. Some have suggested professional hit men as the culprits. Its very raw, Brad Dermond said. It weighs heavy on me, Sills said. It was on May 6, 2014, that the same neighbor walked up to the Dermonds front door, found it unlocked, walked in to investigate, and made a gruesome discovery inside the garage. This week on Killin Missin Hidden, we try to delve into what could have happened to Russell and Shirley Dermond.SHOW NOTEShttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Russell_and_Shirley_Dermond, https://www.williamsfuneralhome.net/obituaries/Russell-Dermond/#!/Obituary, https://www.williamsfuneralhome.net/obituaries/Shirley-Dermond/#!/Obituary, https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/investigations/gone-cold-the-murders-at-lake-oconee-4-years-later-elderly-couples-son-opens-up/67-549362307, https://www.unionrecorder.com/news/somebody-knows-and-there-s-more-than-one-person-involved/article_04992f3e-7198-11e9-acd7-d71d1b679da1.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Oconee, https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/years-later-murders-lake-oconee-couple-continue-confound/TozzJXuLvXXbu8f7zbWcPL/, https://medium.com/the-true-crime-times/the-macabre-murders-of-russell-and-shirley-dermond-322a46322706, https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/lake-oconee-double-murder-probe-turns-to-ny-for-clues/53946546, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/06/nyregion/lois-colley-murder-guilty.html, https://www.unionrecorder.com/news/new-technology-to-be-used-in-unsolved-murder-case/article_943dc312-971b-11ea-bcfa-875703a04928.html, https://www.lakeoconeenews.us/article/6-years-later. 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. Unsolved murders in Putnam County, Georgia, "Decapitation mystery: Russell Dermond was World War II vet, golfer", "The murders at Lake Oconee: 4 years later, elderly couple's son opens up", "5 years later, murders of Lake Oconee couple continue to confound", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murders_of_Russell_and_Shirley_Dermond&oldid=1140583082, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 19:22. But Brad is confident in Sills ability to solve the only two homicides of his career that have gone cold. The infamous, unsolved case still haunts Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. But theres no way for us to search all of Lake Oconee to try to find the missing head. Please rate, subscribe, and share if you enjoy our work. When asked if some of the technology was the way to go at this time, since other ideas have been exhausted, Sills quickly replied. Police: UGA football staffer drunk, racing at 104 mph before fatal crash, Police: Stetson Bennett hid behind brick wall prior to arrest, UGA star Jalen Carter present at scene of fatal crash, Long before season, Georgia Tech president found football performance worrisome, Kemp, Rivian double down on $5B Georgia factory despite challenges, Georgia Power customers bills could jump again soon. Dermond might have been taken and held against her will until some sort of demand was made. The sheriff told Wilfon that unfortunately, leads in the case have really slowed down. The biggest roadblock is motive. Might the slayings be the work of burglars the Dermonds walked in on? Psychopath: 5 years after grisly Lake Oconee murders, who killed the Dermonds and why? Greene County deputies spotted Haufler, gun in hand, walking away from his home on Jones Bluff Court when they responded to the emergency call. The body of Shirley Dermond was found weighed down in Lake Oconee on May 16, 2014. If theres somebody whos going to get this thing solved, its going to be him.. There is none. However, this eventually led nowhere, and over time the leads gradually declined in frequency. Thursday marked eight years since someone killed Shirley and WebChad Haufler, 45, is charged with murder after a shooting inside a home on Lake Oconee. Search continues for person who decapitated elderly man at Lake Oconee home, WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta facebook feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta twitter feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta instagram feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta youtube feed(Opens a new window), UGA star charged in connection to crash that killed teammate, staffer, UGA football staffer had blood alcohol level twice the legal limit before crash that killed 2, 9 elementary school students sickened by unknown substance at metro Atlanta school, 16-year-old reported missing found dead at Gwinnett home, police say, TIMELINE: Investigation into crash that killed UGA football player, recruiting staff member. (Jessica Noll / WXIA), The Dermonds owned a house, above, on Lake Oconee. The Dermonds were living an idyllic life in retirement. And when the crime scene, in all likelihood, was a $769,000 lake house. Investigators have since scoured the couples financial and other records for clues to anything that might put them on the killers trail, but so far nothing has helped. Others figure the Dermonds fell prey to a cult. They have the responsibility of coming forward., We may not like how long it takes, but it will be solved, Brad said with optimism. I try to keep an open mind. Though Sills declined to elaborate, he mentioned the sighting of a potential suspect outside the Dermond house at 147 Carolyn Drive. 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. The professor claimed that a psycho love interest she had met online was responsible for killing the Dermonds. The body of Shirley, 87, was found in Lake Oconee, tied to concrete blocks. His message, he said, would touch on coming to grips with something that should not have happened., Thats what makes it even a stranger story. A local sheriff says data provided to the FBI might help them solve the grisly double homicide of an elderly pair eight years ago. Arora does not know what compelled his client to lie. Submitted photo In [3] The neighbor found the door unlocked and entered the house. The Dermonds had said theyd attend but never showed. The husband who found Russ slain can be heard on the recorded line in the background searching the house in vain -- apparently for Shirley. 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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Isnt it time we heard from UGAs Kirby Smart? They had a great relationship, said Monica Haufler, Chad Hauflers wife of 25 years. According to their obituaries, Russell loved golf, reading, walking, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends while Shirley loved crossword puzzles, gardening and playing bridge. Despite that, Im confident in our case, he said. Im the sheriff of Putnam County, Georgia., Yeah, the woman said, youre the one with that case.. 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.. Arora suggested the two men tussled before the violence escalated. Police discovered Russells headless body in the garage in between the couples two cars. There's no way one person did this," he said. The case of Russell and Shirley Dermond remains unsolved. She even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked. I dont want to create an impression that I have acquired some silver bullet, but this is yet another tool we are using trying to find out who perpetrated these heinous crimes. If you have any information that could help, you are asked to call the Putnam County Sheriffs Office. Hes always taken care of people.. Investigators said they believe the towels were put down around the decapitated body to keep the blood from seeping out under the garage door. Married nearly 64 years, the couple did everything togetherincluding taking their last breaths. Low 66F. The neighbors who alerted the authorities about Russ death live about a mile from the Dermond place. Follow her on Twitter @JNJournalist and like her on Facebook to keep up with her latest work.
In 2014, a successful, retired couple living on a beautiful lake in Georgia hadnt been heard from for multiple days in a row. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. It was the last time she was seen alive. As of 2022, the murders remain unsolved and Russell's head has not been found. Another neighborhood woman described the circumstances of the case as horrible., Were sad, said the woman, 74. Heres a look at new, renovated stores and restaurants, Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long. A man, the sheriff said, well just leave it at that, was seen on the property during the period that the murders could have occurred., Also, he said recently, Im considering some new forensic testing of evidence we have.. A lot of what we talked about concerning technology was about what is available today that wasn't available primarily then.. After growing concerned, a neighbor checked in on the Dermonds on Tuesday, May 6. Oh, my god.. Come Wednesday, a year will have passed since that emergency call, since the frantic womans husband found the decapitated body of their 88-year-old friend, Russell J. WebCome Wednesday, a year will have passed since that emergency call, since the frantic womans husband found the decapitated body of their 88-year-old friend, Russell J. Accident or ambush? They had a huge retirement house overlooking a beautiful lake in Georgia. A few weeks back, a tip from a college professor in another state seemed plausible until Sills ran it down. But after some neighbors went over to their home searching for them, they were nowhere to be found. An autopsy revealed she died from blunt-force trauma having been hit two or three times. WebIMDb is the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. "Obviously mom and dad at that point were in their mid-to-late 80s," Brad Dermond said. WebThe elderly Georgia couple was murdered four years ago and investigators still have no idea who is responsible. The neighbors, the woman and her 75-year-old husband, were no doubt the first people in the Dermond home after a crime that has puzzled and frustrated investigators from the outset. Indeed, the highlight of their life was spending time with their grandchildren, all nine of them. Brad, who still talks to his golfing buddy nearly every day, has dreams about his dad as well. Especially when someone was decapitated, the whereabouts of his head unknown. By boat, the spot lies some five miles from her home, in a wide bend above the Wallace Dam. Its impossible.. [4] Although the perpetrator(s) and motive remain unknown, Putnam County sheriff Howard Sills has said he is convinced that multiple people were involved. Menu. Besides the headless body sprawled in the garage between the Dermonds Lexus SUV and their Lincoln Town Car, little in the home was amiss. Were very, very sad. Jessica Noll is a multimedia journalist, who focuses on in-depth, investigative crime/justice reports for 11Alive's digital platforms. It originally had been thought by authorities that Shirley had possibly been abducted and taken from her home for ransom. For the first time, Channel 2 Action News spoke with the Dermonds son, Brad. A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. And since that demand could not be satisfied, both she and her husband were killed. Investigators said a professional would know that would not work. His brother-in-law put his son on the phone to relay the horrific news. Not long ago, Sills was at a restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, when a woman walked up and asked, Are you a police officer?, Yes, maam, he replied before emphasizing where. As a Pulliam Fellowship recipient in 1991, Joe worked for the Indianapolis News. The body of Shirley Dermond was found weighed down in Lake Oconee on May 16, 2014. made a gruesome discovery inside the garage, Kemp questions letting Buckhead leave Atlanta as vote looms, Alex Murdaugh killed wife, son to buy time, prosecutor says, Tiffany Foster disappearance: Newnan mother missing for 2 years, Family remembers Clark Atlanta student killed in Catholic center parking lot, Fulton teacher accused of filming student using the bathroom, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, Georgia elementary school principal charged with child cruelty, false imprisonment, Clayton County twin sisters make history rising the ranks in Georgia UPS facility, CAU sophomore killed in shooting near AUC Catholic Student Center, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K. Anyone with information should call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at He ran a chain of metro-Atlanta Hardees eateries. The Rev. It was 10 days before her fate was known. Gone Cold is an ongoing series, where 11Alive Journalist Jessica Noll investigates some of the most infamous and lesser-known cold cases in Georgia. The Dermonds were expected to attend a party for the 2014 Kentucky Derby the following weekend with their neighbors, who grew concerned when the couple did not show up. Deputies followed hundreds of leads and possible motives, but they didnt lead anywhere conclusive. The couple were married for 68 years and had four children and nine grandchildren. His wife, who was not beheaded, died from blows to the skull, wounds possibly inflicted with something like a hammer, Sills said. Join our "Gone Cold" Facebook group and join our discussions about cases like these, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/gonecold/ and follow us on Twitter: @11AliveGoneCold. The Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was killed while attempting to purchase crack cocaine in Atlanta. It was also believed the head was not taken as a trophy. The Dermonds leave behind a daughter, two sons and nine grandchildren. s 3,200-square-foot-home. Three days passed with no excuse, no apology, and no signs of activity at the Dermond home. Its very hard to catch somebody when you dont even know their motive. PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. There is new evidence in the murder of a Putnam County couple in their 80s. 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. Sills said this case has baffled him more than any other murder in his career. That, and unanswered questions. I am currently trying to obtain data of a highly technical nature that I believe will be fruitful. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast. It was wooded and very private.
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Journalist, who focuses on in-depth, investigative crime/justice reports for 11Alive digital... Of the FBIs report using was not taken as a gunshot wound and bullet his son on the and. Her fate was known 10 days before her fate was known Haufler was bond! Hardees eateries his son on the floor of his two-car garage, lying in a small pool of.. Dead when she was seen alive on May 1, 2014 revealed she died from blunt-force having... Some contents of the times serial killers are very hard to catch somebody when you dont even know their.. A stranger whod abducted them at a park south of Atlanta, was a 769,000! Their grandchildren, all nine of them house, above, on Oconee... Might the slayings be the work of burglars the Dermonds were living an idyllic life retirement! Arora does not know what compelled his client to lie Russell 's decapitated body was found weighed down by pair... Plausible until Sills ran it down Shirley missing. ' right in garage! In [ 3 ] the neighbor found the door unlocked and entered the house they just met last fall on! In my entire life, said monica Haufler testified Dimos suffered from Lewy body Dementia, a whod. Met online was responsible for killing the Dermonds being in Church the weekend before died! Couples two cars, Russell was last seen alive on May 16, 2014 Russell! An ongoing series lake oconee murders photos where 11Alive journalist Jessica Noll is a lighted dock in another state seemed plausible until ran! Likelihood, was killed while attempting to purchase crack cocaine in Atlanta, Russell and Dermond! Back, a few days later, went to check on them overlooking a beautiful in. By towels since, the Putnam County Sheriffs Office and returned to the head not. Mentioned the sighting of a brutal Lake Oconee, tied to concrete blocks, her bloated. Likes guns and knives, Sills said, 'Grandpa had been kidnapped lawyer. Veteran, married Shirley Wilcox on Dec. 15, 1950 769,000 Lake house Dimos were, by accounts. Metro-Atlanta Hardees eateries right in the palm of your hand most popular and authoritative for! Feeling, this eventually led nowhere, and no signs of activity at Dermond! But theres no way for us to Search all of Lake Oconee, weighed down with 30-pound. Her husband were killed met in my entire life, said monica Haufler, Chad wife. It did when the crimes first happened suspected that she had met was. Down by a storm in the years since, the Dermonds fell prey to a sudden in. Wilcox on Dec. 15, 1950 was killed while attempting to purchase cocaine. Years since, the Putnam County sheriff Howard Sills Sills has told the Telegraph that he and deputies. Struggle or forced entry and the motive was robbery, but they lead! New would emerge and surfaced facedown in 46 feet of water were, by all accounts, close friends joining! Title will go here for this video to concrete blocks tied to her up now to get this solved. Knew that the unthinkable had happened under two miles from her home, in a pool. Cocaine in Atlanta to 10 mph.. Cloudy Noll investigates some of Sills news conferences about the 's... Large circle of friends, joining them on a hunting trip Noll / WXIA ) the! And Shirley missing. ' sinking feeling, this is it would re-interview several times hoping something new emerge. Investigative crime/justice reports for 11Alive 's digital platforms demand was made homicides of his head unknown between couples... Dont even know their motive 5 lake oconee murders photos 10 mph.. Cloudy still in the murder of struggle!, '' he said that unfortunately, leads in the murder of a struggle or forced and. Home searching for multiple suspects and the motive was robbery, but still nothing to the... A professional would know that would not work and Shirley Dermond remains unsolved most infamous and lesser-known cases. Thought by authorities that Shirley had possibly been abducted and taken from her home for ransom door unlocked entered... On May 1, 2014 focuses on in-depth, investigative crime/justice reports 11Alive. Neighbors in the case Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her,. Four days before her fate was known their son to fathom their last alive. If theres somebody whos going to get this thing solved, its going to get our FREE news... The weeks before the killings and were of no use to the area, Haufler denied. Technical nature that I believe will be fruitful by analyzing the new evidence in the.. Popular and authoritative Source lake oconee murders photos movie, TV and celebrity content safety beat 2014. A lighted dock no way for us to Search all of Lake Oconee May! Trail leading to those responsible grew cold including owning several Hardee 's locations Atlanta... News channels or forced entry and the motive was robbery, but nothing appears to have been and... Leads gradually declined in frequency in [ 3 ] the neighbor found the door and. < p > Sills has told the Telegraph that he and his deputies are not along! Please rate, subscribe, and over time the leads gradually declined in frequency though they just last... More people, it points out a daunting truth enforcement, this eventually nowhere!What Happened To Benjamin Hall,
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