Facts
Facts:
Russell Dermond, 88, and his wife, Shirley, 87, fell victim to a gruesome double murder in May 2014. Their home on Lake Oconee, Georgia was a gated community where crime was an unusual occurrence. Russell’s beheaded body was discovered in the garage while Shirley’s body was found decapitated and dumped in the lake several days later.
Both investigations revealed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head, although no weapon has ever been found or identified. There was neither a sign of forced entry nor struggle inside the house. The couple had been living a peaceful sub-urban retirement and had no known enemies, which added to the shock this crime evoked in the community and family members.
History:
The Dermonds purchased their house on Lake Oconee in 1994 shortly after their retirement. The couple was known to be church-going and spent their time socializing within their secured community. Both of them had children from previous marriages who were ruled out as suspects early in the investigation. Despite the years that have passed since the murders, the case remains open as detectives continue to be baffled by the mysterious circumstances surrounding the crime.
Mystery:
The Dermond murders stand as one of the most perplexing unsolved cases in the United States. The particular nature of the act – decapitation – is extremely rare, further deepening the mystery. Numerous theories have surfaced over the years, ranging from random act of violence to cold-blooded murder, but none have led to a concrete conclusion or suspect. To date, the investigation is ongoing, with the FBI offering a reward for any information that might lead to the capture and prosecution of the perpetrator(s). Despite the best investigative techniques and resources, the murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond remain shrouded in mystery.
