In 2014, a successful, retired couple living on a beautiful lake in Georgia hadnt been heard from for multiple days in a row. When Russells body was found in the couples garage, his finger had a severe wound, Sills said. Among locals who didnt even know the slain couple, an uneasiness set in. These days, he relies on the FBI, Sills and the public to come forward and shed light on who did this to his family. But a possible lead unearthed in recent months by Putnam County sheriffs investigators working in conjunction with the FBI has detectives somewhat optimistic about a chance to finally zero in on a suspect. 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. Each of the Dermonds surviving children were interviewed by deputies about the case. Russell Dermond, 88, and his wife Shirley Dermond, 87, were brutally murdered in their gated community overlooking Lake Oconee, Georgia, in 2014, according to Fox Macon affiliate WGXA. Sills said they re-examined aspects of the case, as well as timelines to see whether some of the technology in place today might help going forward with the investigation. Over a week later, Shirley's body was discovered floating in Lake Oconee, her body having been weighted down with concrete blocks. It's difficult for their son to fathom their last moments alive. 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since the frantic womans husband found the decapitated body of their 88-year-old friend, Russell J. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Channel 2s Justin Wilfon learned that there is new evidence from the FBI that is giving investigators new hope in trying to solve the case. She was on the phone, gasping, breathless in the 11 seconds it took someone to answer and say, Putnam County 911., Yes, uh, I have an emergency, the woman, 68, said. Naturally, the shifting narratives aroused suspicions. Oh, my God. I cant imagine this happening.. Two dozen of Hauflers friends, most of them firefighters, made the drive up from central Florida to testify on his behalf Tuesday. Other friends testified theyd be willing to do the same. Babys dad is charged with murder, Whats coming to Middle Georgia? WebPUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. There is new evidence in the murder of a Putnam County couple in their 80s. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The neighbors had hosted a Kentucky Derby party the previous Saturday, May 3. But upon checking the house again days later, neighbors found one of them brutally slain in the garage, and the (FOX 5). Perhaps, Sills says, but the usual things a burglar might steal -- televisions, jewelry, electronics -- were apparently not taken. They were just really down-to-earth.. The couple was supposed to attend a Kentucky Derby party that weekend, but never showed. Heres a look at new, renovated stores and restaurants, Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long. Submitted photo In 2014, Russell and Shirley Dermond were the victims of a brutal Lake Oconee murder that shocked the country. And when the crime scene, in all likelihood, was a $769,000 lake house. According to store and bank surveillance videos, obtained only by 11Alive, Russell transferred money from the drive-thru lane at the Lake Oconee branch of the Peoples Bank at 2:15 p.m. Its very raw, Brad Dermond said. Marc Dimos will be laid to rest Thursday in Ohio. He was a hard worker and a succes 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. [3] The neighbor found the door unlocked and entered the house. According to the National Institutes of Health, 80 percent of people stricken with the disease suffer from visual hallucinations that are typically realistic and detailed. Sometimes, they can be frightening or dangerous, states the NIH, citing, as an example, a person attempting to fight a perceived intruder. The last time Russell was seen alive was on Thursday, May 1, 2014 when he ran some errands in town. The body of Shirley Dermond was found weighed down in Lake Oconee on May 16, 2014. Sills said he believes he knows the answer. The towels belonged to the Dermonds and, yes, there was other evidence found at the scene, but I cant go into any of that evidence, Sills said. He has been a Livingston Award finalist and won numerous Georgia Press Association and Georgia Associated Press awards. 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. Cloudy. "If there was an enemy out there, (it) would have taken place a lot sooner than that.". Before that, he spent most of his working years as an executive for a New York-area clock company. The judge cited the 45-year-old ex-firefighters lack of ties to the community. [4] Although the perpetrator(s) and motive remain unknown, Putnam County sheriff Howard Sills has said he is convinced that multiple people were involved. Their front door was unlocked. One person may have made the initial assault, or something like that, but somebody had some help at some juncture., He said one plausible theory, as he put it, is that the killings involve some sort of extortion or robbery-type thing by somebody the Dermonds at least initially knew.. The veteran sheriff said some of the evidence, including two towels found around the corpse of Russell Dermond, had been of value to 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. He hopes their analysis can open the door to those responsible and finally solve these gruesome murders. 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 On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Nor any suspects. A look at the Dermond's home on Lake Oconee in May 2014. Shed gone to her duplicate bridge club meeting in Eatonton the Thursday before her death. Were searching through that to see if we may be able to find some clue as to who was in the area at the time. She even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked. [1], Russell Joseph Dermond, a native of Hackensack, New Jersey, served in the United States Navy during World War II. This story was originally published May 5, 2021, 5:00 AM. Investigators do not believe the two incidents are connected. A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. [5], Initially, investigators were pursuing multiple potential leads to find the perpetrator(s) and their motive for killing the Dermonds. As the year progressed, the trail leading to those responsible grew cold. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. Three days passed with no excuse, no apology, and no signs of activity at the Dermond home. 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? No one has more questions than Dimos family. According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, there were no signs of forced entry or indications of a struggle in the home. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office says 41-year-old Adam Robert Cabe, of Candler, turned himself in on Monday, Feb. 28, 2023, on a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. They were lovely people from all I know. The infamous, unsolved case still haunts Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. I think the only chance we have at this point (is) that he trips himself up., This week, while Sheriff Sills declined to elaborate on what clue he may have in hand, he said the material was something I am actively working on.. When you start involving more and more people, it increases the chances of information being shared. Howard Sills, Putnams homegrown, two-decade sheriff, knows the area as well as anyone. (Provided), The Dermonds adored their nine grandchildren. WebThe fisherman who had the misfortune of finding Shirley Dermonds body in Lake Oconee Source: Scoopnest.com. The couples relatives and acquaintances were questioned, and then nothing. Im not exaggerating, Sills said. It is possible that whatever the killer sought, if anything, was something the Dermonds didnt have. Her body was found floating by fishermen on May 16. To contact writer Joe Kovac Jr., call 744-4397. They spent their days playing golf, writing, going on walks, and spending time with their friends and family. Get personalized WebHer body was found by fishermen on Lake Oconee, weighed down with two 30-pound concrete blocks tied to her. There's no way one person did this," he said. 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