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

[Ssschu]

WHY have they not done IGG on this yet?

“In 2024, investigators got a potential break when testing on Russell’s clothing revealed an unknown DNA profile. The sample was analyzed by private labs in Texas and Utah, and if it doesn’t match anyone already in CODIS — the national DNA database used by law enforcement — investigators say they may turn to advanced genealogical techniques to try to identify the source.


In early 2025, Atlanta News First reported that Sheriff Howard Sills was awaiting further lab results.”

Who Decapitated a Hardee's Franchise Owner and Killed His Wife — While Family Was Still Haunted by Son’s Prior Murder?

Shirley and Russell Dermond were killed in their Georgia home in 2014.

people.com

IMO...that type of testing better have already been underway for the last year but I don't have a lot of faith they've taken that step. This investigation is a frustrating one for me.

 

[STAGNUM]

The motive is very absent in nearly all theories. I am not the first to suggest that the killings were some sort of revenge by the Nuwaubian Cult. However I am the first to suggest mistaken identity as the trigger. Read my post #1029 for my theory.

1) Sheriff Sills is a likely retribution target of the Nuwaubian Cult due to his past in shutting down their bizarre cult colony in his county and leading to the life sentence of their leader.

2) The last images of Russel Dermond at the supermarket reveal his striking resemblance to Sheriff Sills (sans mustache). Adding to this was Russel Dermond's short verbal interaction with someone at the supermarket Deli counter who may have mistaken his identity (much speculation on my part as to the interaction, however has the sheriff made any attempt to have that person step forward to identify themself?? If not why not? ).

Re MY Post #1029 above, Look at the videos, look at photo of Sheriff Sills wearing similar colored shirt. You have to click on the attachments for the video and two photos of Sheriff Sills and Russell Dermond.


View attachment 580994View attachment 580995

Please follow links to post 1034 and 1029 I previously made. Those two pictures in the links are two different men. 1) Sheriff Sills at crime scene and 2) Russell Dermond shopping shortly before he was killed. Striking resemblance don't you agree?

Please consider the above theory. It would explain the who (The Nuwabian Cult) and the why/motive. It would also explain why Sheriff Sills has been so ineffective in solving this case. He may not want to re-open the hornets nest of his creation. This whole investigation sandbagged by his unwillingness to involve GBI or FBI. It is rumored that the Nuwabian Cult is intertwined in the Georgia Prison system on both sides of the bars and even deep into police agencies including GBI.

So there is that aspect, true or not. Folks can due there own research. You will find that the Nuwabian Cult does have followers and internet presence today. When you have cults, you don't necessarily have to have a strong leadership ordering action.

https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/2006/06/19/met-85885-shtml/14762038007/

 

[STAGNUM]

What would be the motive for a cult member to perform these killings?
That’s the problem I see is there just doesn’t seem to be a motive for anyone to have done this.

Nuwaubian Nation of Moors

Originally a putatively Muslim group, Nuwaubianism is best understood as a cult that promotes a bizarre and complicated “theology.”

www.splcenter.org

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Sheriff Sills is still the Sheriff in Putnam County SC. You have your Putnam Counties mixed up. "Gator" De Loach is in FloriDuh.

There is no Putnam County in SC.

 

[STAGNUM]

There is no Putnam County in SC.

I stand corrected; Georgia...

I

 

[Danaya]

I have written a few observations after going through the Dermonds autopsy reports.

Russell Dermond Autopsy

• Cause of death: Craniocerebral trauma (severe blunt force injury to the head). IMO he wasn't decapitated in order to hide evidence.
• Decapitation: Done after death. No hemorrhage at the cut margins proves the beheading was postmortem.
• Other injuries: Multiple bruises on arms/hands and a crush injury on his left index finger consistent with defensive wounds.
• No gunshot evidence noted: No stippling, soot, or bullet fragments described (unless limited by the missing head).

Shirley Dermond Autopsy

• Cause of death: Blunt impact injury to the head.
• Multiple depressed skull fractures on the right side, consistent with a heavy, rounded blunt object. A baseball bat, metal pipe, or maybe a hammer?
• Bindings: Ankles tied together and separately with 550 paracord; cords attached to a mesh bag containing two red concrete blocks.
• No hemorrhage beneath the bindings → proves she was bound after death.
• Clothing: Fully dressed — shirt, pants, bra, underwear, socks, and sneakers.

While Shirley’s Disposal was strictly practical, IMO, Russell's was symbolic.

This also confirms (to me) that the murders were planned. The killer(s) brought the mesh bag, paracords, and red concrete blocks with them.

 

[Hexe]

Cause of death: Craniocerebral trauma (severe blunt force injury to the head).

Craniocerebral trauma is just a skull and brain injury in general. What kind of injury it possibly was, was not specified anywhere in the autopsy report.

 

[Danaya]

Craniocerebral trauma is just a skull and brain injury in general. What kind of injury it possibly was, was not specified anywhere in the autopsy report.

Shirley’s autopsy very clearly states that she died of blunt impact trauma to the head. Russell’s cause of death is listed as craniocerebral trauma, which is the broader medical examiner term for a severe injury to the skull and brain.

Technically, the term can cover a gunshot wound. In medical examiner speak it's not normally used that way. It's worth noting that even without a skull, a gunshot to the head will typically leave indicators. Things like metal scrapings, grease, powder, stippling, or fragments would have been noted on Russell's skin and/or clothing.

The evidence that we have aligns more closely with both victims having been killed by blunt force trauma, likely with the same rounded object. In any case, I don't think it's a detail to get too hung up on. In regards to the motive, though, it makes a huge difference.

 

[STAGNUM]

What is entirely contradictory is the disposal of SD in a manner that was an attempt to make her disappear. Was this to shift blame to SD for the murder? It makes no sense to dispose of one body and not the other. Was there a shortage of Red painted cinderblocks? If the perps arrived so well prepared why did they not dispose of RD in the lake? Maybe they were interrupted. The official theory is that the perps arrived by boat. If so they should have red paint flakes on the dock and presumably the boat that hauled the cinderblocks and SD. There should be some more red painted cinderblocks around. My guess is that they came from a Nuwaubian cult hangout.

 

[STAGNUM]

While Shirley’s Disposal was strictly practical, IMO, Russell's was symbolic.

As in "bring me the head of ............." (where RD was not the intended target, he was just an unlucky doppleganger of SS)

 

[Danaya]

Yes, Shirley’s disposal was an attempt to make her disappear. Yet Russell was left staged. Why hide one body but not the other? That's a good question. If the killers came so well prepared with a sinking kit, why not use it on Russell too? Maybe they were interrupted, or maybe the intention was to dump both but Russell was too heavy to move. Still, that doesn’t explain the decapitation.

The practical concealment of Shirley versus the expressive mutilation of Russell is almost jarring. If Russell wasn’t shot — and there’s no evidence he was — then the removal of his head was likely symbolic. It may have been an act of contempt or message-making, not logistics. IMO Russell was the main target, and Shirley was collateral damage.

With the mesh bag, red bricks, and paracord, it’s clear this was all planned, and forethought was given to ensuring Shirley stay under water. Could the suspects have been attempting to buy time? Those items, combined with the boat arrival theory, possibly points to someone familiar with water, buoyancy, diving, boating, and/or fishing. Someone confident enough to arrive and dispose of a body from the lake itself.

Does anybody know the lake area in terms of where the suspect(s) may have come from?

 

[fsngruv]

Yes, Shirley’s disposal was an attempt to make her disappear. Yet Russell was left staged. Why hide one body but not the other? That's a good question. If the killers came so well prepared with a sinking kit, why not use it on Russell too? Maybe they were interrupted, or maybe the intention was to dump both but Russell was too heavy to move. Still, that doesn’t explain the decapitation.

The practical concealment of Shirley versus the expressive mutilation of Russell is almost jarring. If Russell wasn’t shot — and there’s no evidence he was — then the removal of his head was likely symbolic. It may have been an act of contempt or message-making, not logistics. IMO Russell was the main target, and Shirley was collateral damage.

With the mesh bag, red bricks, and paracord, it’s clear this was all planned, and forethought was given to ensuring Shirley stay under water. Could the suspects have been attempting to buy time? Those items, combined with the boat arrival theory, possibly points to someone familiar with water, buoyancy, diving, boating, and/or fishing. Someone confident enough to arrive and dispose of a body from the lake itself.

Does anybody know the lake area in terms of where the suspect(s) may have come from?

There was gun shot residue on his short collar. That is not in the realm of "no evidence", it's possible he wasn't shot but there is evidence he was due to the fun shot residue on his collar. It's been stated in many articles pretty much from the beginning.

The lake is massive and is separated from lake Sinclair with a huge uncrossable dam.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

I have felt for a long time that the murderers were targeting someone and got the wrong house.
I don’t necessarily think this cult, that I’m just hearing about, is involved though. Too many people having to keep quiet is one reason, especially given that they screwed it up and got the wrong guy. I think the crime scene would have been a disaster. And why would they give up trying to get the sheriff if they hated him so much?
I don’t have the answers, and this is just as good a theory as any, but I just doubt it.

 

[Danaya]

There was gun shot residue on his short collar. That is not in the realm of "no evidence", it's possible he wasn't shot but there is evidence he was due to the fun shot residue on his collar. It's been stated in many articles pretty much from the beginning.

The lake is massive and is separated from lake Sinclair with a huge uncrossable dam.

There’s a lot of misinformation and recycled rumors surrounding this case. If you have specific articles that state there was gunshot residue on his collar, I’d be very interested to see them. However, the official autopsy explicitly states: ‘No soot or gunpowder was noted by visual inspection of the body.’

Unless law enforcement has publicly contradicted that report — and I haven’t seen them do so — the documented evidence points to an absence of gunshot residue. If you can share direct sources that establish otherwise, I’m open to reviewing them.

 

[fsngruv]

There’s a lot of misinformation and recycled rumors surrounding this case, so it’s important to separate speculation from what’s been documented. If you have specific articles that state there was gunshot residue on his collar, I’d be very interested to see them. However, the official autopsy explicitly states: ‘No soot or gunpowder was noted by visual inspection of the body.’

Unless law enforcement has publicly contradicted that report — and I haven’t seen them do so — the documented evidence points to an absence of gunshot residue. If you can share direct sources that establish otherwise, I’m open to reviewing them.

“A single clean cut transected the cervical vertebral body. The hyoid bone and epiglottis were absent. No injuries of the torso were seen. No soot or gunpowder was noted by visual inspection of the body.”

I would love to share that info with you. Let me hunt it down. Just an easy search of Google (dermonds+gunshot residue will pull up a few articles) but I don't mind trying to find you something more recent. Would you please provide the source you are referencing, as well? too would love to read your information about the autopsy for myself! Tia!!

 

[Rational_Geographic]

There’s a lot of misinformation and recycled rumors surrounding this case. If you have specific articles that state there was gunshot residue on his collar, I’d be very interested to see them. However, the official autopsy explicitly states: ‘No soot or gunpowder was noted by visual inspection of the body.’

Unless law enforcement has publicly contradicted that report — and I haven’t seen them do so — the documented evidence points to an absence of gunshot residue. If you can share direct sources that establish otherwise, I’m open to reviewing them.

Sills has said countless times there was gun residue on Russell's collar. Most recently was on Nancy Grace I believe or he may have even said if on Deviant.

 

[fsngruv]

There’s a lot of misinformation and recycled rumors surrounding this case. If you have specific articles that state there was gunshot residue on his collar, I’d be very interested to see them. However, the official autopsy explicitly states: ‘No soot or gunpowder was noted by visual inspection of the body.’

Unless law enforcement has publicly contradicted that report — and I haven’t seen them do so — the documented evidence points to an absence of gunshot residue. If you can share direct sources that establish otherwise, I’m open to reviewing them.

Here ya go!
"Regarding their murders, which Sills described as “brutal,” gunshot residue on Russell Dermond’s shirt reveals he may have been shot in the head before being beheaded postmortem with a knife."

New evidence discovered in Dermond slayings

Then again,
"Gunshot residue on Mr. Dermond’s clothing hinted that he had likely been shot"

New DNA, new reward in murder investigation of beloved Lake Oconee couple

ETA: Sills is the person quoted as saying that in multiple articles, and he is the detective on the case... While it's not an outright contradiction to what you say is in the autopsy, as the reside was found on his shirt collar and not his body, it does determine the residue was NOT on his body but it WAS on his clothing.

Looking forward to seeing this autopsy report.

 

[Rational_Geographic]

Shirley’s autopsy very clearly states that she died of blunt impact trauma to the head. Russell’s cause of death is listed as craniocerebral trauma, which is the broader medical examiner term for a severe injury to the skull and brain.

Technically, the term can cover a gunshot wound. In medical examiner speak it's not normally used that way. It's worth noting that even without a skull, a gunshot to the head will typically leave indicators. Things like metal scrapings, grease, powder, stippling, or fragments would have been noted on Russell's skin and/or clothing.

The evidence that we have aligns more closely with both victims having been killed by blunt force trauma, likely with the same rounded object. In any case, I don't think it's a detail to get too hung up on. In regards to the motive, though, it makes a huge difference.

They have also said that the typical blood splatter you would expect with bft on Russell's clothing is not present. Its pretty much accepted as canon that he was shot in the head. Not sure where you are getting this from, its not consistent with this case.

 

[fsngruv]

Also, not sure about detective sills looking like Mr. Dermond, the detective looks more like the actor Walter Brimley to me. I think that's what the detective is going for too.

While the nuwaubian cult is super interesting... but after the leader was arrested most of the cult was also arrested or ran off to Macon and surrounding cities, so I'm not sure if there is any legitimate connection to them and the detective. Most of the cult illegal activities centered around construction that wasn't up to code and allegations of sexual abuse. Murder wouldn't be a leap by any means, I just don't see any possible connection, maybe there's more info out there to connect them outside of just a good hunch?

 

[Cedars]

One element of misinformation in this case is that Sills was/is the only investigator.

However, he called in the FBI immediately.

"The FBI remained engaged in the investigation the entire past decade?” Winne asked Smith.

“Fulltime. Completely engaged with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and their investigative team since the beginning,” Smith said."

FBI says whoever killed elderly Putnam County couple a decade ago should be ‘nervous’

The FBI granted its first interview about the murder of Russell and Shirley Dermond in 10 years to Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne.

www.wsbtv.com

I listened to a podcast interview with son Brad, who drove overnight to the house as soon as he was contacted, and he says he was immediately interviewed by the Sheriff with an FBI detective observing.

Within the week CNN learned (ignore the "update" date, the article refers to the crime as 'last Saturday'): "A Georgia Bureau of Investigation source confirmed the bureau was conducting Russell Dermond’s autopsy...The FBI also is assisting and is likewise reticent, saying only that it “is providing limited support based on the needs and requests from Putnam County authorities,” according to Stephen Emmett, spokesman for the FBI’s Atlanta office."

Evidently, Sills has always wanted to be the main spokesman, which is fine with the FBI. They are very careful not to "take over" investigations from local police.

I don't believe Sills has held much back, IMO he has consistently released most of the confirmed details.

JMO