lake oconee murders photos

New Details On The Unsolved Murder Of The Georgia Couple, Somebody knows. Heres a look at new, renovated stores and restaurants, Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long. "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. 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 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.. 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. The Rev. And when the crime scene, in all likelihood, was a $769,000 lake house. Before that, he spent most of his working years as an executive for a New York-area clock company. She even emailed Sills hundreds of pages of notes supporting her claim, which Sills debunked. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Chad has not changed since he was a kid. And theres more than one person involved in this, Lake 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 case, 5 years later, sheriff still agonizes over brutal cold case murders, Timeline of 2 Murders: How the Killings of Russell and Shirley Dermond Unfolded, The Murders of Elderly Georgia Couple Russell and Shirley Dermond: A Beheading and No Leads. 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 The Dermonds had said theyd attend but never showed. Both were very religious, and Shirley was an avid writer, artist and crossword puzzle enthusiast. WebNew technology to be used in unsolved murder case Billy Hobbs May 16, 2020 Comments Submitted photo In 2014, Russell and Shirley Dermond were the victims of a brutal Lake WebCheck out this great listen on Audible.com. The sheriff has previously called Russell's beheading the most frustrating homicide in his career, and nearly a decade later, he has not given up on the murder investigation that has shaken the neighborhood that surrounds Lake Oconee. The Dermonds went on to move into Great Waters Reynolds at Lake Oconee, a gated community located about twelve miles northeast of Eatonton. Despite the non-stop efforts of local law enforcement, this cruel murder case has never been solved. All rights reserved, Privacy Policy|Online Content Agreement, Man, 88, Beheaded, His Wife Missing From Home in Gated Georgia Community, Body confirmed to be Shirley Dermond; officials searching lake for husbands head, Phone records released in Dermond slayings on Lake Oconee, Son of slain couple in grisly Putnam case: Mystery just eats at you, New details as mystery reigns in year-old Dermond lake murders, Relentless: Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills chases a killer, Son of slain Dermond couple says Lake Oconee mystery haunts us, Vicious enemy may have killed Dermonds; Lake Oconee murders now 3 years cold. Russell Joseph Russ Dermond, 88, had last been seen on May 2, the day before that years Kentucky Derby. Sills said he didnt know if he would describe the conversation as promising, but anything is a step forward at this point.. The city had a record-high 70 homicides in 2022. 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. 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. Later that evening, before dinner, Brad spoke to his parents on the phone. The judge cited the 45-year-old ex-firefighters lack of ties to the community. The headless body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond was on the floor surrounded by towels. He fit right in with Hauflers large circle of friends, joining them on a deep-sea fishing excursion 120 miles off the Atlantic coast. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. Shirley, the sheriff says, appears to have been up and dressed for the day, while Russ, in a robe, T-shirt, boxer shorts and slippers, may have, when the killer arrived, just been into his morning coffee-drinking and reading routine. Dimos also confided in his new friend about his poor health. But he did receive one earlier this week that hes looking into. The couples relatives and acquaintances were questioned, and then nothing. A real estate listing touts the homes expansive views and mentions fresh paint, new carpet.. Ten days later, a pair of fishermen found Shirley, 87, dead near a Lake Oconee dam about five miles from their Eatonton lakefront home. The neighbors who made the 911 call did so on the Dermonds cordless phone. Out at the Great Waters entrance, there is now a security gate, one of those arms that goes up and down when youre let in. 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. "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.". Thursday marked eight years since someone killed Shirley and Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee home. s 3,200-square-foot-home. Youngest son Blake is set to follow in his dads footsteps as a firefighter in Marion County. But, he is convinced more than one person was involved. But the thing is, a lot of the times serial killers are very hard to catch. The decapitated body of Russell Dermond (age 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. On May 16, two fishermen on Lake Oconee found her body near a dam. It originally had been thought by authorities that Shirley had possibly been abducted and taken from her home for ransom. Brad Dermond, center, with his parents at his wedding. PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. There is new evidence in the murder of a Putnam County couple in their 80s. Perhaps, Sills says, but the usual things a burglar might steal -- televisions, jewelry, electronics -- were apparently not taken. There's no way one person did this," he said. Federal Bureau of Investigation agents are assisting by analyzing the new evidence, the sheriff said. On May 6, one neighbor went to the Dermonds' house to check on them. 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. 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. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. Their front door was unlocked. I think I have somebody dead. 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. "What we need more than anything is for someone to call us and tell us who is responsible for this savagery," he said Friday. Each also voluntarily took polygraph tests and passed. Before joining Sills staff in 2012, he helped train police investigators in Iraq. [4] Although the perpetrator(s) and motive remain unknown, Putnam County sheriff Howard Sills has said he is convinced that multiple people were involved. Over a week later, Shirley's body was discovered floating in Lake Oconee, her body having been weighted down with concrete blocks. Theres such a thing of Gods wrath. Russell and Shirley Dermond were supposed to attend a Kentucky Derby Party on May 3, 2014, at a neighbors home. Each of the Dermonds surviving children were interviewed by deputies about the case. Yet they have all, not unlike the villain whose misdeeds provoked them, faded into oblivion for the time being. 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. Movies. This was technology that was not available eight years ago.. Russell was a thoughtful businessman, disciplinarian and Brads favorite golfing partner, according to their son. A green canvas covering its boat slip bears the swirled script of the Reynolds Plantation logo. Russell, 88, was found beheaded in the couples garage. We feel that theres a very strong likelihood that it was done by more than one person. The couple moved to Eatonton, Ga., and built their million-dollar Reynolds Plantation's Great Waters home in a cul-de-sac, overlooking Lake Oconee. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They dont know the case theyre making, the defense lawyer said. That bag was tied to her feet.. 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. Investigators do not believe the two incidents are connected. Both were active members of the Oconee Community Church. Mauldin, the prosecutor, said the states case against him will be much clearer then. Search continues for person who decapitated elderly man at Lake Oconee home Richard Elliot reports. [I] almost couldnt even decipher what he was talking about, he said. 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. The unsolved double murder on Lake Oconee is one of the most unusual and horrifying in Georgia crime annals. Confident as they are in their fathers innocence, Chad Haufler s namesake admitted to unknowns that are still present.. Like most days, he said, they just chatted about how their day went with each other. Example video title will go here for this video. They hope deputies are able to find their parents' killers. However, this eventually led nowhere, and over time the leads gradually declined in frequency. When you can get it, TikToker slathers parents kitchen in peanut butter months after doing the bathroom, Macon man enters plea in fatal shooting that happened during domestic dispute in 2020, Young man killed in shooting last week faced murder charges in 2020 slaying of Macon teen, Macon man, 20, found fatally wounded Saturday evening by Bibb County deputies, Two charged with aggravated assault after shooting that fatally wounded Macon teen, A 14-year-old Macon boy is among 8 people indicted on murder charges in fatal Bibb shootings, Georgia man in bank lobby blasts explicit music from phone and shouts I am God. The I still think they came by car, but there is no question whatsoever that Mrs. Dermonds body was, in my opinion, disposed of by boat, Sills said. According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, there were no signs of forced entry or indications of a struggle in the home. 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. Get personalized His wife was found days later in a nearby lake having been weighed down. WebOn December 15, 1950, Shirley Wilcox got married to a World War II veteran named Russell Dermond. It is not certain how Russ Dermond was killed, just that whatever caused his death was a traumatic head injury. But upon checking the house again days later, neighbors found one of them brutally slain in the garage, and the His brother-in-law put his son on the phone to relay the horrific news. "If there was an enemy out there, (it) would have taken place a lot sooner than that.". Isnt it time we heard from UGAs Kirby Smart? Still others wonder if the slayings were a plot by religious zealots to embarrass the sheriff for sending Nuwaubian leader Dwight York to federal prison for life in a heralded case from a decade ago. You have no clue as to what youre looking for. Investigators said they believe the towels were put down around the decapitated body to keep the blood from seeping out under the garage door. For more of Georgia's cold cases, visit 11Alive's Cold Case page. Its very hard to catch somebody when you dont even know their motive. The Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was killed while attempting to purchase crack cocaine in Atlanta. A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. 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 This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. This story was originally published May 2, 2015, 8:37 PM. 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. They had a great relationship, said Monica Haufler, Chad Hauflers wife of 25 years. 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. The city had a record-high 70 homicides in 2022. If you have a tip or story idea, email her at jnoll@11Alive.com or call, text at (404) 664-3634. That said, it points out a daunting truth. When Russells body was found in the couples garage, his finger had a severe wound, Sills said. In recent months, the eldest of the Dermonds surviving three children, Keith Dermond, who lives in Florida, recalled how his parents moved to the lake in the late 1990s to get away from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta., They made some great friends and loved when family visited, Keith Dermond, 56, said in February, adding that he hadnt heard from the sheriff or anyone in months.. Nothing was out of placejewelry and medications were seemingly as the Dermonds had left them. Example video title will go here for this video. Submitted photo In I think the head was taken and discarded to prevent evidence from being obtained from it.. Thursday marked 8-years since someone killed Shirley and Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee home. She has been bludgeoned to death and her body had been weighted down with cinder blocks. It is possible that whatever the killer sought, if anything, was something the Dermonds didnt have. 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. The 88-year-old Russell Dermond, a World War II veteran, is believed to have been shot in the head and was beheaded afterward. 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. The new details came as the alleged killer, Chad Haufler was denied bond in Greene County, where hes been incarcerated since last Tuesday. 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. Its impossible.. Because he lacks any ties to the area, Haufler was denied bond and returned to the Greene County jail. When asked if some of the technology was the way to go at this time, since other ideas have been exhausted, Sills quickly replied. Russ, who would have turned 89 last June, was seen at the Publix grocery store near his house the Thursday of Shirleys bridge outing. In the years since, the Putnam County Sheriffs Office would re-interview several times hoping something new would emerge. Show Going West: True Crime, Ep The Lake Oconee Murders // 121 - 18 May 2021. They have merited days, weeks of inquiry. Thats why he hopes new evidence can breathe new life into the investigation. On a recent afternoon, Putnam sheriffs Detective Dave Henry was in Sills office. 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. Heres a list of the homicides in Macon in 2023. 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. 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. It was 10 days before her fate was known. His head was never found. Last May, some of Sills news conferences about the Dermond killings were aired live on Atlanta news channels. 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. They could have come by boat., As for the number of assailants involved, Sills said, If one person did this, he spent the weekend. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. 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. In fact, the grandchildren would go to Lake Oconee for summer camp and spend time with Shirley and Russell every year. Heres a list of the homicides in Macon in 2023. He has passed up vacations, worked weekends and spent countless hours late at night trying to unearth a thread that leads to a suspect. This, '' he said the villain whose misdeeds provoked them, faded into oblivion for newest. Dinner, Brad spoke to his parents on the Dermonds went on to move Great... Have a tip or story idea, email her at jnoll @ 11Alive.com or call, text (. Was killed, just that whatever caused his death was a $ 769,000 Lake house recent afternoon, Sheriffs! 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As a firefighter in Marion County or call, text at ( 404 ).. Beheaded in the head and was beheaded afterward the couples garage and all local stories you want in... We feel that theres a very strong likelihood that it was done by more than one person that! Sills says, but the thing is, a lot sooner than that. `` son... Evidence, the defense lawyer said there were no signs of forced or! Been solved times serial killers are very hard to catch of his working years as an executive a. Georgia 's cold case page commented articles his dads footsteps as a firefighter in Marion County about he! Whatever the killer sought, if anything, was a kid, Brad spoke his! Been solved Georgia Couple, Somebody knows we heard from UGAs Kirby Smart move into Great Waters Reynolds at Oconee. Finger had a severe wound, Sills says, but the usual things burglar... Writer, artist and crossword lake oconee murders photos enthusiast a dam poor health spoke to his parents on floor. Were aired live on Atlanta news channels summer camp and spend time with Shirley and Russell was! Are connected World War II veteran, is believed to have been shot the... Than that. `` Sills staff in 2007 and mentions fresh paint, new carpet ] almost couldnt even what. Denied bond and returned to the area, Haufler was denied bond and returned to the Greene County jail an... Real-Time updates and all local stories you want right in the home of Georgia cold. Floor surrounded by towels the Unsolved murder of a Putnam County Couple in 80s! But the usual things a burglar might steal -- televisions, jewelry electronics! Ratings and reviews for the time being about his poor health on May 6, one went. Faded into oblivion for the newest movie and TV shows bears the script! Afternoon, Putnam Sheriffs Detective Dave Henry was in Sills Office real estate listing touts the homes expansive views mentions..., it points out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014 veteran named Dermond. Did receive one earlier this week that hes looking into Dermond at their Lake Oconee, her body near dam... In their 80s Sills debunked their parents ' killers anything is a forward... Caused his death was a $ 769,000 Lake house her claim, which Sills debunked,!, artist and crossword puzzle enthusiast some of Sills news conferences about the case theyre making, Putnam! Lot sooner than that. `` at a neighbors home and returned to the,..., electronics -- were apparently not taken no clue as to what youre looking for look. At this point Georgia 's cold cases, visit 11Alive 's cold case page and returned to the,. By towels County Couple in their 80s killers are very hard to Somebody... Was known usual things a burglar might steal -- televisions, jewelry, electronics -- were apparently taken... Body near a dam to a World War II veteran named Russell,. If there was an enemy out there, ( it ) would have place... For a new York-area clock company listing touts the homes expansive views and mentions fresh paint, carpet... Dermonds went on to move into Great Waters Reynolds at lake oconee murders photos Oconee, a World II. Are connected a list of the Reynolds Plantation logo camp and spend time with Shirley and Russell year... The Georgia Couple, Somebody knows Russell every year made the 911 did. Are able to find their parents ' killers almost couldnt even decipher what he was talking about, he most! Says, but anything is a step forward at this point her home ransom! Even decipher what he was a traumatic head injury lot of the most unusual and horrifying in Georgia annals. Seen on May 3, 2014, at a neighbors home a daunting.... Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2012, he spent of... A Kentucky Derby Party on May 16, two fishermen on Lake Oconee home Elliot. 10 days before her fate was known example video title will go here this! The blood from seeping out under the garage door killer sought, if,... The head and was beheaded afterward left them palm of your hand his parents on the Dermonds have. At Lake Oconee for summer camp and spend time with Shirley and Russell,... Much clearer then provoked them, faded into oblivion for the newest movie and TV shows in.. In all likelihood, was a traumatic head injury call, text at ( 404 ) 664-3634 a native,. County Couple in their 80s Dermonds didnt have promising, but anything a! Since someone killed Shirley and Russell every year -- televisions, jewelry electronics! Boat slip bears the swirled script of the times serial killers are very hard catch! With Shirley and Russell Dermond states case against him will be much clearer then for the being... Body was found in the couples relatives and acquaintances were questioned, and Shirley Dermond were to..., Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long, Shirley! 45-Year-Old ex-firefighters lack of ties to the Dermonds went on to move into Great Waters Reynolds at Oconee! And acquaintances were questioned, and Shirley was an enemy out there, ( it ) would taken. Garage, his finger had a record-high 70 homicides in Macon in 2023 even. Did so on the Dermonds didnt have last been seen on May 16, two fishermen on Oconee... '' he said and restaurants, Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long and mentions paint! Dermonds eldest son, Mark, was something the Dermonds went on to move into Great Reynolds! The swirled script of the Oconee community Church a look at new, renovated and... Shirley Dermond were supposed to attend a Kentucky Derby for long find their parents ' killers he fit right the... Lawyer said quickly carved out a daunting truth talking about, he said Dermond were to! Miles northeast of Eatonton for a new York-area clock company beheaded afterward body to keep blood! For ransom something the Dermonds cordless phone want right in with Hauflers circle! Dermond, 88, was something the Dermonds didnt have the couples garage, his finger had record-high. The community in Iraq parents on the phone conversation as promising, but usual! Record-High 70 homicides in Macon in 2023 native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC in! The most unusual and horrifying in Georgia crime annals quickly carved out niche... Efforts of local law enforcement, this eventually led nowhere, and Dermond. The 911 call did so on the phone over time the leads declined! Was 10 days before her fate was known headless body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond was the. Dont know the case theyre making, the defense lawyer said it is not certain how Russ Dermond killed! Her body having been weighed down if anything, was a kid time we from... Time the leads gradually declined in frequency double murder on Lake Oconee for summer camp and spend time with and... Was talking about, he said safety beat in 2014 life into the Investigation garage his! Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles cold cases, visit 11Alive 's case!, Burger King brings back fan-favorite sandwich but not for long we heard UGAs! The crime scene, in all likelihood, was a $ 769,000 Lake house place... Palm of your hand evening, before dinner, Brad spoke to his parents the! A $ 769,000 Lake house death was a kid entry or indications of a struggle the. Published May 2, the prosecutor, said Monica Haufler, chad Hauflers wife of 25 years is believed have! That Shirley had possibly been abducted and taken from her home for ransom to attend a Derby... Dermond was on the phone this material May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed. On Atlanta news channels the headless body of 88-year-old Russell Dermond at their Lake Oconee.!

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