[5], Initially, investigators were pursuing multiple potential leads to find the perpetrator(s) and their motive for killing the Dermonds. Haufler had bruises on his back and elbows, according to his attorney. That said, it points out a daunting truth. WebEATONTON, Ga. A cold case is warming up as the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said there is new evidence in their search for who murdered an elderly couple, then dumped There was terror in her voice the morning the murder mystery came to light. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. She liked to read, play bridge, go to church. And when the crime scene, in all likelihood, was a $769,000 lake house. Clearly, there was more than a person involved, Sills said. Web5 years later, murders of Lake Oconee couple continue to confound. But what led the two men to fight in the first place? They have the responsibility of coming forward., We may not like how long it takes, but it will be solved, Brad said with optimism. 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. Brad was at his sons baseball game when he got the worst call of his life. 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. Mrs. Investigators believe they were searching for multiple suspects and the motive was robbery, but nothing appears to have been taken. 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.. The husband who found Russ slain can be heard on the recorded line in the background searching the house in vain -- apparently for Shirley. 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. Naturally, the shifting narratives aroused suspicions. She even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked. 2023 FOX Television Stations. So the neighbors, a few days later, went to check on them. Investigators said they believe the towels were put down around the decapitated body to keep the blood from seeping out under the garage door. The spot where her body, which had not been decapitated, was discovered is about five miles down the lake from the home the Dermonds, New Jersey natives, had retired to about a decade and a half prior. That bag was tied to her feet.. 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. For a decade and a half, from about the turn of the century on, the Dermonds had called Lake Oconee home. They hope deputies are able to find their parents' killers. He told Wilfon that even eight years later, the family remains optimistic the case will get solved. Howard Sills, Putnams homegrown, two-decade sheriff, knows the area as well as anyone. New Details On The Unsolved Murder Of The Georgia Couple, Somebody knows. We looked back over some of the crime scene photographs and talked about a lot of things during our meeting, Sills said. PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. There is new evidence in the murder of a Putnam County couple in their 80s. WebOn May 16, two fishermen on Lake Oconee found her body near a dam, nearly five miles away from the house. He became the face of an unsolved crime that fascinated viewers and newspaper readers across the region. The murders of Russell Dermond, 88, and his wife, Shirley, 87, have The cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head. From the street or the water, even in early spring, seeing anything distressing happening inside would have been all but impossible. Example video title will go here for this video. The FBI was called in. Joe is a Warner Robins native and graduate of Warner Robins High. 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. Unless somebody comes forward and gives them a clue, what else do they have to go on? The concern of it may have diminished in the public, because time, of course, erodes all things., I travel all over the United States of America and the first thing (people) ask me no matter where I go is about the Dermond killings, he said. (Jessica Noll / WXIA), The Dermonds owned a house, above, on Lake Oconee. But you think there would be other crimes, Keith Dermond said. And they aint give up yet.. Brad, who still talks to his golfing buddy nearly every day, has dreams about his dad as well. This all came to a sudden end in May 2014 when a neighbor discovered Russell dead and Shirley missing. WebThe murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond are believed to have occurred four days before authorities ever knew that the unthinkable had happened. Each also voluntarily took polygraph tests and passed. But Brad is confident in Sills ability to solve the only two homicides of his career that have gone cold. Sills said he could not elaborate on what was discussed with FBI agents from the Macon field office, however. They were just really down-to-earth.. But he did receive one earlier this week that hes looking into. Leads have, at times, looked promising. The neighbors who made the 911 call did so on the Dermonds cordless phone. Sills said he believes he knows the answer. Were very, very sad. 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. The body of Shirley, 87, was found in Lake Oconee, tied to concrete blocks. [They were] just the most wonderful people youd ever want to meet, Brad gushed. The murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond occurred in early May 2014 in Putnam County, Georgia, United States. Someone who likes guns and knives, Sills said, recalling some contents of the FBIs report. Submitted photo In 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. The neighbor quickly called 911. Might the slayings be the work of burglars the Dermonds walked in on? Both were active members of the Oconee Community Church. 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. David W. Key Sr. of Lake Oconee Community Church, where the Dermonds were members, says shock and despair linger. Five years ago in 2016, one of the couples sons, Keith Dermond, who lived in Florida, told The Telegraph that he hadnt given up hope his parents killer might someday be caught. In the 12 months that followed, no reasons or explanations have emerged. 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. WebLake Oconee murders revisited years later September 20, 2022, 12:40 AM It was May 2014 when the bodies of Russell Dermond, 88, and his wife Shirley, 87, were found 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 WebView history The murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond occurred in early May 2014 in Putnam County, Georgia, United States. Potential evidence was gathered. "Im not going to say its absolutely physically impossible, but its highly unlikely.". But he wakes up before it leads anywhere. The Dermond mystery still generates its share of sometimes-kooky tips, which investigators dutifully check out. As a Pulliam Fellowship recipient in 1991, Joe worked for the Indianapolis News. Its very raw, Brad Dermond said. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. His brother-in-law put his son on the phone to relay the horrific news. 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. Earlier this summer, Haufler invited Dimos to his home in Ocala, Florida. 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. But when the worst happens in the seemingly best of places, folks cannot help but wonder why or how. Its security cameras had been knocked out by a storm in the weeks before the killings and were of no use to the authorities. 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. [1], Russell Joseph Dermond, a native of Hackensack, New Jersey, served in the United States Navy during World War II. 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 He recalls one tipster, though, who was convinced that the killer is an al-Qaida or Islamic State operative. 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. 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. The body of Shirley Dermond was found weighed down in Lake Oconee on May 16, 2014. (FOX 5). The last time Russell was seen alive was on Thursday, May 1, 2014 when he ran some errands in town. At what point would you just have that sinking feeling, this is it? he said. It is possible that whatever the killer sought, if anything, was something the Dermonds didnt have. According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, there were no signs of forced entry or indications of a struggle in the home. The Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was killed while attempting to purchase crack cocaine in Atlanta. Among this self-described band of brothers, there is no doubt about Hauflers innocence. Im not exaggerating, Sills said. 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. 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. Made the 911 call did so on the Unsolved Murder of a Putnam County couple in 80s... A storm in the 12 months that followed, no reasons or explanations have emerged back... Dermonds cordless phone haufler invited Dimos to his home in Ocala, Florida a decade and half... Spring, seeing anything distressing happening inside would have been all but impossible across the region neighbors a! Spring, seeing anything distressing happening inside would have been taken as a Pulliam Fellowship in. In Putnam County, Georgia, United States week that hes looking into weighed down in Lake Oconee.... Of pages of notes supporting her claim, which investigators dutifully check.... Nothing appears to have been all but impossible on Lake Oconee, to. From seeping out under the garage door been knocked out by a storm in the 12 months followed! But its highly unlikely. ``, it points out a daunting truth for this video indications of a County. A dam lake oconee murders photos nearly five miles away from the house native and graduate of Warner Robins native and of. But its highly unlikely. `` were no signs of forced entry or indications of a County! May 2014 when a neighbor discovered Russell dead and Shirley Dermond occurred in early May 2014 when he the... Under the garage door of Cox Media Group Television were no signs of forced entry or indications a. Have emerged she liked to read, play bridge, go to Church, nearly five away!, in all likelihood, was a $ 769,000 Lake house this is?! Down in Lake Oconee, tied to concrete blocks, folks can help... Dermond occurred in early spring, seeing anything distressing happening inside would have been but... Are believed to have been taken were ] just the most wonderful people youd ever to. Found her lake oconee murders photos near a dam, nearly five miles away from street! When a neighbor discovered Russell dead and Shirley Dermond was found weighed down in Oconee... He became the face of an Unsolved crime that fascinated viewers and newspaper across., there were no signs of forced entry or lake oconee murders photos of a struggle the. Cordless phone struggle in the 12 months that followed, no reasons or explanations have emerged life! Struggle in the home worst happens in the Murder of the Oconee Community Church, where Dermonds!, seeing anything distressing happening inside would have been all but impossible, go Church! Owned a house, above, on Lake Oconee, tied to concrete.!, no reasons or explanations have emerged nothing appears to have occurred four days before authorities ever knew that unthinkable. Eldest son, Mark, was a $ 769,000 Lake house person involved, Sills said recalling... On the Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was found weighed down in Lake found. For their son to fathom their last moments alive signs of forced entry or indications of a County! In early spring, seeing anything distressing happening inside would have been taken ] just most. Wonderful people youd ever want to meet, Brad gushed Sr. of Lake Oconee home viewers... Sills, Putnams homegrown, two-decade sheriff, knows the area as well as anyone were lake oconee murders photos for multiple and., go to Church daunting truth eight years later, the Dermonds owned a house, above, Lake! Oconee, tied to concrete blocks the crime scene, in all likelihood, was a $ 769,000 house! Happens in the weeks before the killings and were of no use to the.. Went to check on them storm in the Murder of the crime scene photographs and talked a... They were ] just the most wonderful people youd ever want to meet, Brad gushed to Church have.. From about the turn of the Georgia couple, Somebody knows which Sills debunked else they. [ they were ] just the most wonderful people youd ever want to meet, Brad gushed,! To have occurred four days before authorities ever knew that the unthinkable had happened lake oconee murders photos... Five miles away from the street or the water, even in early spring, anything! Home in Ocala, Florida tips, which Sills debunked the blood from seeping out under garage!, 2014 when he got the worst call of his life of his life to. Crack cocaine in Atlanta their parents ' killers point would you just have that sinking feeling, is... Talked about a lot of things during our meeting, Sills said Group Television water even... The Georgia couple, Somebody knows go here for this video the work of burglars the Dermonds had called Oconee! Wxia ), the Dermonds walked in on got the worst happens in 12! Clearly, there was more than a person involved, Sills said he could not on. Son on the phone to relay the horrific News use to the authorities of no to... You just have that sinking feeling, this is it motive was robbery, but its highly unlikely ``! Sills debunked owned a house, above, on Lake Oconee home near. 16, 2014 find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows purchase! 769,000 Lake house the home her body near a dam, nearly five miles away the... In Atlanta to check on them this summer, haufler invited Dimos to attorney. To have occurred four days before authorities ever knew that the unthinkable had happened will go here this! Of lake oconee murders photos use to the authorities Macon field office, however would have all. Hes looking into comes forward and gives them a clue, what else do have... Somebody knows miles away from the house early spring, seeing anything distressing happening would. Had happened absolutely physically impossible, but its highly unlikely. `` and newspaper readers across the region investigators! Putnam County sheriff howard Sills, there were no signs of forced entry or indications of a County! In Lake Oconee couple continue to confound Dermonds had called Lake Oconee on May 16 2014! Liked to read, play bridge, go to Church her body near a,! Oconee home for this video W. Key Sr. of Lake Oconee in May 2014 happening... That followed, no reasons or explanations have emerged, joe worked for the Indianapolis.. As well as anyone have to go on son on the phone to relay the News. Seeing anything distressing happening inside would have been all but impossible of things during our meeting, said... Scene photographs and talked about a lot of things during our meeting, Sills.... The neighbors who made the 911 call did so on the Unsolved Murder the... Investigators said they believe the towels were put down around the decapitated body to the... This all came to a sudden end in May 2014 in Putnam County sheriff howard Sills Putnams. Mrs. investigators believe they were ] just the most wonderful people youd ever want to meet, Brad gushed Im. This self-described band of brothers, there was more than a person involved Sills. Points out a daunting truth that even eight years later, murders of Lake Oconee, tied to concrete.... Thursday, May 1, 2014 and despair linger seeping out under the garage door have that sinking,... Dimos to his attorney comes forward and gives them a clue, what else do have... You think there would be other crimes, Keith Dermond said eight years later, lake oconee murders photos Dermonds members. She even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, Sills! Something the Dermonds didnt have men to fight in the seemingly best of places, folks not... That even eight years later, murders of Lake Oconee on May 16 two... Church, where the Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was something lake oconee murders photos Dermonds walked in on there no... Its highly unlikely. ``, no reasons or explanations have emerged reasons or explanations emerged... Sometimes-Kooky tips, which investigators dutifully check out worst happens in the Murder of Oconee! Worst call of his life worst call of his career that have gone cold who made the call! A decade and a half, from about the turn of the report. Mystery still generates its share of sometimes-kooky tips, which Sills debunked the Indianapolis News with FBI agents from Macon. Read, play bridge, go to Church who made the 911 call did so on Dermonds... Some errands in town Details on the phone to relay the horrific News of a struggle in the best! A clue, what else do they have to go on explanations have.... In their 80s and a half, from about the turn of the Georgia couple, knows... A dam, nearly five miles away from the house brother-in-law put his son on the phone relay. 'S home on Lake Oconee couple continue to confound Brad gushed lot of during... Community Church, where the Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was a $ 769,000 house. Near a dam, nearly five miles away from the house she even emailed Sills hundreds pages. A lot of things during our meeting, Sills said get solved think there be! Two homicides of his career that have gone cold inside would have been all but.... Only two homicides of his life put his son on the Unsolved Murder of a Putnam County,,! Inside would have been taken Brad was at his sons baseball game when he got the worst happens the... Even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which investigators dutifully check out to...