MURDER
CASE #: 2014-39
Russell Dermond
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Jurisdiction:
Offense Location:
Eatonton, Georgia
Summary:
The murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond occurred in early May 2014 in Putnam County, Georgia. Russell Dermond, age 88, was found decapitated in the garage of the house he owned on Lake Oconee on May 6, 2014. Neither his head nor his wife, Shirley (age 87), could be located in the house. Over a week later, Shirley's body was discovered floating in Lake Oconee, her body having been weighted down with concrete blocks. As of April 2026, the murders remain unsolved and Russell's head has not been found.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
Russell was last seen alive on May 1, 2014, as he was running errands in Eatonton. Along with Shirley, he spoke with his son Brad over the phone later that day. 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. On May 6, one neighbor went to the Dermonds' house to check on them. The neighbor found the door unlocked and entered the house. Russell's decapitated body was found on the floor of his two-car garage, lying in a small pool of blood. Neither his head nor his wife, Shirley (age 87), could be located in the house. Over a week later, Shirley's body was discovered floating in Lake Oconee, her body having been weighted down with concrete blocks.
Additional Details:
Initially, investigators were pursuing multiple potential leads to find the perpetrator(s) and their motive for killing the Dermonds. However, this eventually led nowhere, and over time the leads gradually declined in frequency. Although the perpetrator(s) and motive remain unknown, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills has said he is convinced that multiple people were involved. Because gunshot residue was found on Russell's collar, Sills believes he was decapitated after having been shot in the head in an attempt to prevent police from finding the bullet, and that the perpetrator(s) went to the Dermonds' home intending to obtain money, despite the fact that nothing in the home was stolen. Authorities interviewed the Dermonds' three adult children and found nothing to suspect they were involved. An autopsy found Shirley Dermond died from two or three blows to the head. Sheriff Howard Sills said this week that two DNA labs - one in Texas and the other in Utah - have found DNA tied to the murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond. Sillis said the DNA examined by both Othram and Sorenson Forensics have determined it does not belong to the victims.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
FBI announces new DNA evidence found in connection with murders. Evidence sent to private DNA labs for testing.
Shirley Dermond's body discovered by fishermen in Lake Oconee, approximately five miles from home. Body weighted down with concrete blocks.
Neighbor finds Russell's decapitated body in garage. Body is transported to medical examiner for autopsy.
Russell and Shirley Dermond expected to attend Kentucky Derby party at neighbor's home. They fail to show up.
Russell Dermond last seen alive running errands in Eatonton, including at Publix and bank. Later spoke with son Brad over phone.
Associated Persons
Shirley D. (Spouse) - Deceased
Leslie D. (Child) - Living
Mark D. (Child) - Deceased
Brad D. (Child) - Living
Keith D. (Child) - Living
Howard S. (Other) - Living
Case Content Disclaimer: The details on this case page are sourced from numerous locations to include family, friends, news postings and government public releases. Solve the Case, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of any content as case pages are living documents that frequently update as case details expand.
