GA GA - Shirley, 87, & Russell Dermond, 88, Putnam Co, 2 May 2014 - #13

[Ray_of_hope]

Was thinking about this case last night. The perp(s) certainly felt comfortable hanging out at the home and not being seen. They presumably carried the 3 foot table lamp from the home to the garage for better lighting. (Don't know the distance). They may have killed Shirley when they entered the home after her husband was murdered (Collateral damage). Could be that the home had both enough distance between other homes, plus foliage and canopy to hide them. However, they were there for a time, so they must have known that no one was coming. They apparently felt comfortable going in and out of the home and garage in order to carry out the grisly murders. People of the Drummond's means usually have cleaning help and grounds maintenance people who would know habits and schedules. I wonder if there was an argument over payment or just shady workers, perhaps. A neighbor had heard talking at the Drummond home before the murders.
I just wish that Sill's wouldn't let his pride get in the way of justice for the Drummond's. We've been looking at properties in GA, the Carolinas and VA and are making sure to steer clear of the area the Drummond's were living, despite it's beauty.

 

[concernedcitizen706]

Was thinking about this case last night. The perp(s) certainly felt comfortable hanging out at the home and not being seen. They presumably carried the 3 foot table lamp from the home to the garage for better lighting. (Don't know the distance). They may have killed Shirley when they entered the home after her husband was murdered (Collateral damage). Could be that the home had both enough distance between other homes, plus foliage and canopy to hide them. However, they were there for a time, so they must have known that no one was coming. They apparently felt comfortable going in and out of the home and garage in order to carry out the grisly murders. People of the Drummond's means usually have cleaning help and grounds maintenance people who would know habits and schedules. I wonder if there was an argument over payment or just shady workers, perhaps. A neighbor had heard talking at the Drummond home before the murders.
I just wish that Sill's wouldn't let his pride get in the way of justice for the Drummond's. We've been looking at properties in GA, the Carolinas and VA and are making sure to steer clear of the area the Drummond's were living, despite it's beauty.

Well that's why that is a very unusual type of killer, and you have to look at evidence in the surrounding areas, to see if there is a guy who matches that profile. And is there a criminal in the area, who is very comfortable hanging around in other people's houses. And he does this by observing them, he reads their email, he looks at their phones. And plus he also knows if somebody comes to the house, he can keep the door locked, or exit out the back if he needs to. Yeah that's a very unusual type killer and there's only very few of that type of personality around. And police need to be honest with themselves, about if they know of that type of profile, around. I'm not sure they're willing to do that though.

 

[acehard]

I think that it was reported that both the Friday and Saturday newspapers were untouched outside. Perhaps the killer(s) entered the house sometime Friday morning. It would be interesting to know what time the newspapers were delivered, and when the Dermonds normally took them in. The killer(s) spent some time doing what they did; they may have been in the house for several hours, and taking Shirley to her death would have also taken some time.

No, Friday newspaper was read. Officially the crime took place between Fri 4pm and Sat 4pm or so. All this has been discussed in the older comments. Same with the water routes and all. I think someone even took pictures and video from the lake.

 

[Valiant]

Was thinking about this case last night. The perp(s) certainly felt comfortable hanging out at the home and not being seen. They presumably carried the 3 foot table lamp from the home to the garage for better lighting. (Don't know the distance). They may have killed Shirley when they entered the home after her husband was murdered (Collateral damage). Could be that the home had both enough distance between other homes, plus foliage and canopy to hide them. However, they were there for a time, so they must have known that no one was coming. They apparently felt comfortable going in and out of the home and garage in order to carry out the grisly murders. People of the Drummond's means usually have cleaning help and grounds maintenance people who would know habits and schedules. I wonder if there was an argument over payment or just shady workers, perhaps. A neighbor had heard talking at the Drummond home before the murders.
I just wish that Sill's wouldn't let his pride get in the way of justice for the Drummond's. We've been looking at properties in GA, the Carolinas and VA and are making sure to steer clear of the area the Drummond's were living, despite it's beauty.

My personal opinion is there is zero risk to the general public from this killer. This crime would not deter me from that area.

 

[MesquiteO21]

Just watched Nancy Grace’s video on this case and I either forgot or missed somehow that Russell was killed elsewhere and his body brought BACK to the garage for the beheading. So yeah this wasn’t a random killing or killing by a stranger. Perp(s) 100% knew the community, the layout, and felt comfortable there. They either lived there themselves or regularly spent time there either as friends/family of someone who lived in the community or as some type of maintenance worker. I’m thinking the latter, which I’m sure the police have explored as well. And would explain why it’s appeared to me that Sills does have a good idea of the perp(s)’s identity but hasn’t yet had the right evidence for an arrest.

Also wondering if perp(s) moved away, either out of state or country and that could also possibly account for this crime being unsolved for so many years

MOO

 

[Danaya]

I wouldn't be surprised if the person who killed the Dermonds had a deep, festering anger and resentment towards Russell that he had held on to for many years. JMO

 

[concernedcitizen706]

Nah. Everybody always wants to make it personal. But that's not always the case. This is a serial killer who scoped out this couple and learned everything about them, before he acted. He entered the house before through surreptitious means, like lock picking, and already knew the layout. <modsnip> IMO

 

[STAGNUM]

I have long suspected this crew from Central Florida. They also had connections in Texas. Look at the MO, and the timeline.

Deputies: Suspected ninja robbers arrested in Orange County

Three men, dressed like ninjas, were arrested Monday, and the arrests could give authorities a break in several similar crimes, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

www.wesh.com

Alleged 'Ninja Robber' Claims Trio Used Google Earth to Target Homes

One of the three alleged "ninja robbers" claims they used Google Earth to target homes.

abcnews.go.com

Accused Oviedo ninja robber was former minister

Three men, dressed like ninjas, were arrested Monday, and the arrests could give authorities a break in several similar crimes, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

www.wesh.com

 

[Danaya]

But how do you go from robbing people and leaving them alive, to murdering two seniors and cutting one of their heads off?

 

[STAGNUM]

But how do you go from robbing people and leaving them alive, to murdering two seniors and cutting one of their heads off?

Waving swords around in a menacing manner, like Ninja's might do. They have used guns to menace victims.

 

[acehard]

But how do you go from robbing people and leaving them alive, to murdering two seniors and cutting one of their heads off?

Home invasions happen a lot. Some where some family members are held at gun point and others are sent to get money. If it goes wrong, people die. If no one dies, you wont even see it reported in the news.
See the murder of James Rosenlieb. 80 year old man killed by a 20 year old who worked for a tree trimming service a month before. He used red tip ammunition, which was traced back to what they found at his house. He came in through an open window, hid in a closet shot 3 times and ran without taking anything. No one saw him. He was really dumb and was texting his friends so he got caught.

 

[RickshawFan]

New to this…

What about the possibility that the perp mistook the identity of his intended victims? Or wanted revenge on someone else in the family?

This is giving me Chandler Halderson vibes. If you’re in a summer slump, and need a good ol’ court case, that one is mind blowing IMO, stellar prosecution and judge, great courtroom camerawork, and has every which variety of forensics.

 

[concernedcitizen706]

So do people think it's a good idea to compare and contrast cases in the same area, to see if there are connections? Or is that not something people should do? Kind of curious to hear people's opinions. Because I think it would be helpful to see if there are similarities between cases

 

[concernedcitizen706]

Home invasions happen a lot. Some where some family members are held at gun point and others are sent to get money. If it goes wrong, people die. If no one dies, you wont even see it reported in the news.
See the murder of James Rosenlieb. 80 year old man killed by a 20 year old who worked for a tree trimming service a month before. He used red tip ammunition, which was traced back to what they found at his house. He came in through an open window, hid in a closet shot 3 times and ran without taking anything. No one saw him. He was really dumb and was texting his friends so he got caught.

Yes but those types of cases usually have pretty similar MOs, and they're usually interested in robbery. Whereas this case is a little bit different. For example, I don't remember any reports of robbery here.

 

[RickshawFan]

So do people think it's a good idea to compare and contrast cases in the same area, to see if there are connections? Or is that not something people should do? Kind of curious to hear people's opinions. Because I think it would be helpful to see if there are similarities between cases

The reason I referenced Halderson is because he was very close to his victims. They were his parents. They were dismembered. This took a few days. Much of his mom was never found, and likely tossed in the river.

This case here looks very personal. Someone totally unlikely. There has to be DNA…

 

[concernedcitizen706]

The reason I referenced Halderson is because he was very close to his victims. They were his parents. They were dismembered. This took a few days. Much of his mom was never found, and likely tossed in the river.

This case here looks very personal. Someone totally unlikely. There has to be DNA…

Why don't you think it could be a serial killer?

 

[acehard]

Yes but those types of cases usually have pretty similar MOs, and they're usually interested in robbery. Whereas this case is a little bit different. For example, I don't remember any reports of robbery here.

What MO? Nothing was taken from that house. Robbery was an assumption, but he didn't confess or explain anything. Only reason he got caught was because he told his friends and they called the police. Otherwise it would be unsolved.

 

[dotr]

' Jul 18, 2024 #NancyGrace #CrimeStoriesWithNancyGrace #ColdCase
#RussellDermond and #ShirleyDermond live in a beautiful lakefront property, Lake Oconee, #Georgia.The couple is expected at a Kentucky Derby watch party with neighbors, but don’t show up. When the neighbors reach out by phone, the Dermonds don’t answer. Days later, arriving at the Dermond’s home, the neighbor is surprised to find the front door unlocked. The neighbor calls out their names to no reply.The neighbor looks in the garage to see if the Dermond’s car is there. The neighbor discovers Russell Dermond laying on the garage floor, decapitated. The neighbor calls 911, racing around the house looking for Shirley Dermond, but she is nowhere to be found.'

 

[Ray_of_hope]

But how do you go from robbing people and leaving them alive, to murdering two seniors and cutting one of their heads off?

There are many that start out but escalate as they progress in their crimes.

 

[Danaya]

There are many that start out but escalate as they progress in their crimes.

I understand that, but a more natural progression would be something less extreme IMO. For instance, shooting Russell and/or Shirley execution style then simply leaving them for dead. Additionally, if the murders were second to the robbery, why was nothing taken?

I wonder why the killer(s) didn't set a fire or something as a way to destroy evidence. I also question if the decapitation was an attempt to throw off investigators.

Or, maybe it was entirely personally motivated. Cutting off the head to further demean and dehumanize the victim.

To go from never having killed, to beating an elderly woman to death with a hammer, disposing of her body, and decapitating her husband? Why would a group of experienced burglars with an established pattern of subdueing their victims without lethal force suddenly change course?

The Dermonds were elderly, it's not as though they posed a threat.