Georgia Writers Museum and its popular Crime & Wine series, led by Cold Case Investigative Research Institute founder and Director Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, presented Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills updating a packed house Friday night on the unsolved May 2014 murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond on the shores of Lake Oconee.
The baffling case officially began on May 6 that year when neighbors called police to check on the Dermonds after they failed to show up for a preplanned Kentucky Derby viewing party. The last known sighting of Russell Dermond was five days earlier when security cameras at the Publix supermarket in Greensboro caught the 88-year-old in the checkout line.
So, Sills, his detectives, and the FBI know Russell Dermond was killed sometime after that May 1 grocery trip, but before May 6 when a neighbor found his beheaded body in the garage of the couple’s lakeside home. There was no sign of Shirley Dermond at the house, however.
Sills described the facts of the case to approximately 60 rapt attendees, including the search for Shirley Dermond, who initially was feared to have been kidnapped but was found in the lake by a couple of fishermen several miles away from her home. She had been beaten to death with a blunt object, then dropped in the lake with her body weighed down by a couple of cinder blocks.
With no apparent motive – the Dermonds had been married 64 years at the time of their deaths, and neither had any discernable vices to speak of – and robbery was ruled out as nothing appeared stolen.
Sills conceded that his is the most challenging case he’s ever faced
Several theories but few clues have arisen from the case, he said, though he assured everyone he remains as determined as ever to bring justice to the Dermonds and their killers. He described a recent test of some previously undetected DNA from Russell Dermond’s clothing, though nothing concrete came from it.
Following a 45-minute talk, Sills took questions and engaged audience members over theories and suggestions for an equal amount of time afterward. Several people felt the events suggested a professional hitman was involved; however, Sills and McCollum both doubted that theory, insisting a pro would do a quick in-and-out job and would never waste time with decapitation or moving a body onto the lake.
Regardless, all suggestions were considered, and though nothing was settled or solved, everyone in attendance, including the presenters, seemed to enjoy the insights.
GWM's next major event is its annual Haunted Eatonton ghost tours, which will take place Oct. 24-26. These tours involve an approximately two-hour guided walk through the heart of historic and haunted Eatonton.
Tours begin after dark at 7 p.m., when the town’s otherworldly residents are said to come alive. They wander among one of Georgia’s most architecturally renowned and picturesque historic districts. Tickets are available now for each night at georgiawritersmuseum.org/hauntedeatonton.