PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. — Editor's note: The video above is from a previous web story.
It’s been nine years since a Putnam County couple was found murdered at their Lake Oconee home.
As the anniversary of the killing of Russell and Shirley Dermond approaches, investigators haven't had any updates in the case.
Putnam County deputies were hopeful last year that new technology would shed some light on the murders that rocked the Eatonton community.
The murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond
Russell and Shirley Dermond were killed at their home back in May of 2014. Russell Dermond, who was 88 years old at the time, was found in the garage of his Eatonton lakefront home.
Investigators found his decapitated remains between a Lincoln and Lexus SUV, inside the family garage. His head has still not been found, police said.
Over a week later, Shirley Dermond’s remains were in Lake Oconee, not far from the Wallace Dam. The 88-year-old’s remains were found in the water, with two red cinder blocks tied around her ankles, in an effort to weigh her down.
She was found just five miles from her home.
Developments in the cold case, but no leads yet
Last year, the sheriff’s office announced they received cell phone data that may help the case.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sill discussed the new information last year and how it may help the case.
"The technology we are using was not in existence back in 2014," Sills said in a statement. "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."
A year after the announcement, the sheriff's office confirmed to 11Alive that there have been no updates in the case.
Putnam County deputies have interviewed hundreds of people but haven’t found a lead. In one of the sheriff's previous updates on the case, he said there were no fingerprints, foreign DNA or eyewitnesses.
About the Dermonds
The Dermonds married in December of 1950. Russell Dermond was a Navy veteran, businessman and golfer. His wife, Shirley Dermond, was an avid writer, artist and crossword puzzle enthusiast.
Both were very religious and enjoyed spending time with their family, especially their grandchildren. The couple leaves behind a daughter, two sons and nine grandchildren.
