In the years since, the Putnam County Sheriffs Office would re-interview several times hoping something new would emerge. [5], Initially, investigators were pursuing multiple potential leads to find the perpetrator(s) and their motive for killing the Dermonds. WebThe fisherman who had the misfortune of finding Shirley Dermonds body in Lake Oconee Source: Scoopnest.com. REAL LIFE You have permission to edit this article. And they aint give up yet.. And since that demand could not be satisfied, both she and her husband were killed. Their killers have never been found. Its the horror that they must have gone through, from the beginning until it was finished thats whats difficult to overcome.. A neighbor had invited the Dermonds to a Derby party, but they never showed up. WebChad Haufler, 45, is charged with murder after a shooting inside a home on Lake Oconee. Manslaughter shouldve been the highest charge they came up with.. They have merited days, weeks of inquiry. Confident as they are in their fathers innocence, Chad Haufler s namesake admitted to unknowns that are still present.. But what led the two men to fight in the first place? Like most days, he said, they just chatted about how their day went with each other. There was a problem saving your notification. WebIMDb is the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. 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. Sills said he didnt know if he would describe the conversation as promising, but anything is a step forward at this point.. WebThe unsolved murders of Shirley and Russell Dermond remain an ongoing and active investigation. SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. Brad Dermond flips through albums and shuffles through a handful of photographsremembering family road trips, golfing and how much his parents loved him and his siblings and adored their grandchildren. It was wooded and very private. But guesses abound about what befell the Dermonds: Why Russ was left lying in his homes two-car garage with his head cut off; why his wife, Shirley, 87, was beaten to death, her corpse sunk in Lake Oconee, only to surface a week and a half later. Yet they have all, not unlike the villain whose misdeeds provoked them, faded into oblivion for the time being. 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.. 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. For seven years, the killings of Russell and Shirley Dermond at Lake Oconee have gone unsolved, the motive unknown and the culprit or culprits uncaught in a bizarre double slaying that has remained as baffling as it was heinous. Henry also had a hand in the 1997 murder-for-hire probe that sent Kelly Gissendaner to death row for arranging the stabbing death of her husband. The 88-year-old Russell Dermond, a World War II veteran, is believed to have been shot in the head and was beheaded afterward. If you have any information that could help, you are asked to call the Putnam County Sheriffs Office. It originally had been thought by authorities that Shirley had possibly been abducted and taken from her home for ransom. 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. Among this self-described band of brothers, there is no doubt about Hauflers innocence. Anyone with information about this unsolved double-murder is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriffs Office at 706-485-8557. 5 years later, murders of Lake Oconee couple continue to confound On May 6, 2014, the body of Russell Dermond, 88, was found inside the garage of the couple? The elderly couple, who lived in the affluent gated community of Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Putnam County, was brutally slain sometime over the weekend of the Kentucky Derby in May 2014. She liked to read, play bridge, go to church. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The body of Shirley Dermond was found weighed down in Lake Oconee on May 16, 2014. GONE COLD | A lake with no leads: Who killed the Dermonds. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. It is not certain how Russ Dermond was killed, just that whatever caused his death was a traumatic head injury. 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. "I don't want to create the impression that I have acquired some silver bullet, but this is yet another tool we are using to find out who perpetrated these heinous crimes.". Ive obtained some of it and I have reason to believe that when I obtain the rest of the data and sort it out that it may well lead me to a suspect or suspects in this case, Sills said. Her body was found by fishermen on Lake Oconee, weighed down with two 30-pound concrete blocks tied to her. Each of the Dermonds surviving children were interviewed by deputies about the case. The body of Shirley, 87, was found in Lake Oconee, tied to concrete blocks. The headless body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond was on the floor surrounded by towels. But he was also realistic. We got the call from my brother-in law, and he was a total mess. But prosecutor Allison Mauldin said Tuesday that the physical evidence was also damning. "Obviously mom and dad at that point were in their mid-to-late 80s," Brad Dermond said. He was shot in the neck and torso 15 years ago while buying crack cocaine in downtown Atlanta the night of his 47th birthday. Dimos also confided in his new friend about his poor health. The case remains as much a mystery today and is it did when the crimes first happened. Heres a look at new, renovated stores and restaurants, Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long. 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. On May 6, 2014, neighbors of Russell and Shirley Dermond, an elderly couple who lived for 15 years inside the Reynolds Great Waters gated community, home to some of the countys wealthiest citizens, called 911 to report a gruesome discovery. Follow her on Twitter @JNJournalist and like her on Facebook to keep up with her latest work. (Provided), Brad Dermond looks at years' worth of memories with his parents, Shirley and Russell Dermond. For a decade and a half, from about the turn of the century on, the Dermonds had called Lake Oconee home. Russell, 88, was found decapitated inside of his garage on May 6, 2014. On a recent afternoon, Putnam sheriffs Detective Dave Henry was in Sills office. WebThe elderly Georgia couple was murdered four years ago and investigators still have no idea who is responsible. Seconds later, at his wifes side, she asked, Did you find both of them?. Married nearly 64 years, the couple did everything togetherincluding taking their last breaths. 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. They spent their days playing golf, writing, going on walks, and spending time with their friends and family. 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. "If there was an enemy out there, (it) would have taken place a lot sooner than that.". Her body was anchored by two 30-pound cinder blocks that were placed into a nylon bag and then thrown into the lake, according to Sills. 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. Babys dad is charged with murder, Whats coming to Middle Georgia? A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. 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. Brad was at his sons baseball game when he got the worst call of his life. But, he is convinced more than one person was involved. Its security cameras had been knocked out by a storm in the weeks before the killings and were of no use to the authorities. Naturally, the shifting narratives aroused suspicions. But when the worst happens in the seemingly best of places, folks cannot help but wonder why or how. Aside from Sills, Henry knows more about the Dermond case than anyone. Web5 years later, murders of Lake Oconee couple continue to confound. The cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head. And despite some new revelations Tuesday at a bond hearing for suspect Chad Haufler, the prosecution is keeping tight-lipped about why they believe the retired firefighter intended to kill a man in the basement of the $1.9 million home purchased just one month earlier. The two-story Dermond home, a four-bedroom, four-bath, 3,500-square-footer in a wooded cul-de-sac overlooking a cove, is now on the market. A $45,000 reward was offered. Example video title will go here for this video. Sills narrowed the timeframe of Russells murder to somewhere between 4:30 p.m., on May 1when the mail was deliveredto 6 p.m., on May 4, when the couple failed to show up for the party. Police discovered Russells headless body in the garage in between the couples two cars. Deputies followed hundreds of leads and possible motives, but they didnt lead anywhere conclusive. The Dermonds were living an idyllic life in retirement. 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. Investigators said a professional would know that would not work. They have the responsibility of coming forward., We may not like how long it takes, but it will be solved, Brad said with optimism. Somebodys out there and theyre living in Hell. Howard Sills, Putnams homegrown, two-decade sheriff, knows the area as well as anyone. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Psychopath: 5 years after grisly Lake Oconee murders, who killed the Dermonds and why? Russ, once an avid golfer when he and Shirley lived near Roswell, had called it a career after more than 10 years in the restaurant business. Jessica Noll is a multimedia journalist, who focuses on in-depth, investigative crime/justice reports for 11Alive's digital platforms. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Its just my opinion that it would just be impossible for one person. The Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was killed while attempting to purchase crack cocaine in Atlanta. Shirley, a housewife, was, like her husband, a New Jersey native. WebA few days ago, Howard Sills, Putnam Countys plain-spoken, sometimes-philosophical sheriff, rose from bed at 5:38 a.m., bedeviled yet again by crimes as confounding and They were lovely people from all I know. "Im going to defend myself.. 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. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. WebBy Joe Kovac Jr. But upon checking the house again days later, neighbors found one of them brutally slain in the garage, and the The city had a record-high 70 homicides in 2022. Their killer, a stranger whod abducted them at a park south of Atlanta, was sentenced to life without parole. Two dozen of Hauflers friends, most of them firefighters, made the drive up from central Florida to testify on his behalf Tuesday. On Friday, Sills said he recently received long-awaited cell phone data. Brad, who still talks to his golfing buddy nearly every day, has dreams about his dad as well. That said, it points out a daunting truth. They never showed up. 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. Later that evening, before dinner, Brad spoke to his parents on the phone. Menu. Isnt it time we heard from UGAs Kirby Smart? Russell Dermond, 88, was found beheaded in the garage at his home on Lake Oconee on May 6, 2014. There have been no arrests and until now few if any useful leads since the investigation into the Dermond slayings began the morning of May 6, 2014, when Russell Dermonds decapitated body was found lying in a puddle of blood inside his closed carport. FLASHBACK: Sheriff: Beheading is most frustrating homicide in his career, GONE COLD: More of Georgia's cold case mysteries, Justice for Love: A mothers relentless pursuit to find her daughters killer. She has been bludgeoned to death and her body had been weighted down with cinder blocks. Brad Dermond, center, with his parents at his wedding. Dermond might have been taken and held against her will until some sort of demand was made. Along with Shirley, he spoke with his son Brad over the phone later that day. WebLake Oconee Stock Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime 63 Lake Oconee Stock Photos, Images & Pictures Most relevant Best selling Latest uploads Within Results People Pricing License Media Properties More Safe Search lake allatoona lake lake sinclair virginia landscape ohio manufacturer oconee lake odell athens georgia 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 had not until earlier this year wanted it known that the blocks were what Shirley Dermonds killer had apparently used to anchor her to the lake floor. What played out over the next month would leave more questions than answers in their usually sleepy neighborhood. Their favorite time was to spend time with the family and grandkids, Brad said about his parents, who were both only children, themselves. After growing concerned, a neighbor checked in on the Dermonds on Tuesday, May 6. WebIn 2014, a successful, retired couple living on a beautiful lake in Georgia hadnt been heard from for multiple days in a row. Were very, very sad. Key recalls the Dermonds being in church the weekend before they died, and how so much time has passed since. We looked back over some of the crime scene photographs and talked about a lot of things during our meeting, Sills said. When Russells body was found in the couples garage, his finger had a severe wound, Sills said. Heres a look at new, renovated stores and restaurants, Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long. Other friends testified theyd be willing to do the same. Haufler will return to court in two weeks for a preliminary hearing. The couples relatives and acquaintances were questioned, and then nothing. The neighbors had hosted a Kentucky Derby party the previous Saturday, May 3. Both were active members of the Oconee Community Church. They dont even know how he was murdered, because we dont have his head, a frustrated Brad said about his fathers brutal death. If you have a tip or story idea, email her at jnoll@11Alive.com or call, text at (404) 664-3634. They also were not sure if the killers somehow got in through the gate or found their way to the home by boat. Haufler had bruises on his back and elbows, according to his attorney. Anyone with information is asked to call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, at (706) 485-8557. So, if somebody does know something they have the responsibility of coming forward, even if its just a shred of information. Despite that, Im confident in our case, he said. "It's been eight years, I'm sorry," he said. Get personalized The body of Shirley Wilcox Dermond, who was 87, turned up May 16, 10 days after her husbands. It was also believed the head was not taken as a trophy. Indeed, the highlight of their life was spending time with their grandchildren, all nine of them. Oh, my god.. We used some of the most advanced underwater electronic equipment that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division has in an attempt to find Shirley Dermonds body, as well as the head of her husband, Sills said. "The technology we are using was not in existence back in 2014," Sills said in a statement. Crews searched for several days with no luck. [1], Russell Joseph Dermond, a native of Hackensack, New Jersey, served in the United States Navy during World War II. [They were] just the most wonderful people youd ever want to meet, Brad gushed. Nothing was out of placejewelry and medications were seemingly as the Dermonds had left them. Russell Joseph Russ Dermond, 88, had last been seen on May 2, the day before that years Kentucky Derby. Three days passed with no excuse, no apology, and no signs of activity at the Dermond 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 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. But theres no way for us to search all of Lake Oconee to try to find the missing head. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. I think the head was taken and discarded to prevent evidence from being obtained from it.. Earlier this summer, Haufler invited Dimos to his home in Ocala, Florida. New technology to be used in unsolved murder case. 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The palm of your hand any information that could help, you the. Oblivion for the time being Russell Dermond, a stranger whod abducted them at a park south of Atlanta was!