GA GA - Shirley, 87, & Russell Dermond, 88, Putnam County, 2 May 2014 - # 1

[Treelights]

Totally out of the box. I may get laughed or stoned out of here. However, what if the thing this person after was his brain? I've got a few scenarios in my head. Nothing to really give substance to the thought other than some things that struck me as odd that I read in the blog of the dr that has been mentioned here. It is a tremendous, huge, giant leap.

But what about the Mrs.?

 

[jaunna]

I think it's Dr. Stathas, not Dr. Davis, that they may have a link with...? Or am I just totally confused now, LOL.

Ohh you're right, I got the two confused. Sorry!

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[atthelake]

This is local to me and just saw this thread. Getting ready for mothers day so no time to read right now. Marking spot to read later.

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[Backwoods]

Yes, Dr. Stathas is a licensed marriage therapist and lives by the Dermonds.

Dave Davis is a forensic psychiatrist who gave the profiling description.

Two totally different doctors!

As for a question posted earlier, a company called ISMG provides the security at Reynolds Plantation, or at least they did before the Metlife buyout of the subdivision. When I searched it, I was able to see individual security guards that work there. I guess the lack of good security at the plantation has been an issue there for many years.

Dr. Davis IS actually a forensic psychiatrist, then? If so -- my apologies for questioning his credentials earlier.

 

[Treelights]

This is local to me and just saw this thread. Getting ready for mothers day so no time to read right now. Marking spot to read later.

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Welcome atthelake!

 

[Bethanthony]

Totally out of the box. I may get laughed or stoned out of here. However, what if the thing this person after was his brain? I've got a few scenarios in my head. Nothing to really give substance to the thought other than some things that struck me as odd that I read in the blog of the dr that has been mentioned here. It is a tremendous, huge, giant leap.

Lol...the Dr. is a doctor, like Phd after his name. He's a licensed marriage and family therapist...certainly not a real MD! (if that's who we're talking about)

 

[Backwoods]

Totally out of the box. I may get laughed or stoned out of here. However, what if the thing this person was after was his brain? I've got a few scenarios in my head. Nothing to really give substance to the thought other than some things that struck me as odd that I read in the blog of the dr that has been mentioned here. It is a tremendous, huge, giant leap.

I personally doubt it, Grasshopper, but heck, if the sheriff can say "they may have come in from...outer space" -- I'm not casting any stones. I've got a few out-there theories going on myself.

 

[Grasshopper]

TL, in my head I can see a couple of possible scenarios where one would be more of an accidental thing and one more of an intentional thing. She would have be an issue because she would have known, both ways, the perp who did it. It's a wild and speculative idea, no doubt. But this therapist was highly motivated to learn more about Alzheimer's due to its appearance in his own family at a young age. He was very interested in how some brains stay young even while they're old, so to speak. Gosh, I hope that isn't again TOS. His blog post just after the incident is also very odd. For the record, I doubt it as well, but just throwing something out there that's off the radar, so to speak.

 

[2Hope4]

Many garages have drains in the floor. Wonder if their's did?

 

[Backwoods]

Many garages have drains in the floor. Wonder if their's did?

I wondered too, if they might have a utility/gardening sink in there, or in an adjacent "mudroom".

Surely they're using luminol out there -- in that "immaculate" house.

 

[Backwoods]

TL, in my head I can see a couple of possible scenarios where one would be more of an accidental thing and one more of an intentional thing. She would have be an issue because she would have known, both ways, the perp who did it. It's a wild and speculative idea, no doubt. But this therapist was highly motivated to learn more about Alzheimer's due to its appearance in his own family at a young age. He was very interested in how some brains stay young even while they're old, so to speak. Gosh, I hope that isn't again TOS. His blog post just after the incident is also very odd. For the record, I doubt it as well, but just throwing something out there that's off the radar, so to speak.

You're just brainstorming, so to speak -- pardon the pun.

Well, we all need to do that, in this case.

 

[Hickory Born]

Thanks for the acknowledgement.

I have read through the thread now, and see that there is still not a feel for the layout of the land at the lake and Great Waters.

This is NOT an exclusive suburb like we see near metro areas. Those are usually fully fenced-in gated golf courses dotted with expensive McMansions on relatively small lots and where most of the (front yard) trees are mowed down for ease of construction then resod and (tastefully) landscaped.

In Great Waters (and the other Reynolds Plantation properties) , the Land Is King. The only trees that are removed are those that are absolutely necessary to allow the equipment and trucks need to complete the construction of the house. Even more so when you have the even more exclusive and expensive lake-front property.

This means that from most properties, there is a very good chance that you can neither see nor hear your neighbors. If you have seen some of the videos of the house taken from copters, it almost looks like a shot of the Amazon there is so much acreage of woods.

Also....the are very long subdivisions.

As y'all (I told you I was from Georgia :smile no doubt know by now, this is a man-made lake built by Georgia Power to generate electricity as its first purpose. Now if you are going to build a lake like this, you need a river that is running through a large valley. That means you are building through very hilly country.

That being the case, first there is a rather long road just to get to the entry. Once through, you are on roads that are just wide enough to allow two cars to pass. They are truly lanes. The first time I went there, there was a red fox just sauntering across the "road" pretty as you please. Populated...but remote.

Beside being narrow, since the location is so hilly, it is almost like a roller coaster driving around the property. Up a hill then.....'weeeee'...back down the other side. There are also speed bumps: mostly before golf cart paths that cross the road, but also at strategic places to slow you down before you could get in trouble with some of the sharp curves and steep hills.

IOW...this is not a place where there can be strangers just passing by or roaming around , a "home invasion" as typically known is impossible, if you are in a vehicle, you cannot go fast because of pure physics.

As to security cameras, I can't see them doing more than the guard house (and getting license plates) and maybe a few other places along the small roads where they cross (many by traffic circles). Most houses are so secluded that the home owner might place them around their property (front door, etc.) but would be useless at trying to see the road or other people's property.

As mentioned before, this is not a "retirement" community (as such) and, indeed, there are small children there. But it IS so expensive that take most moderately successful folks will have to take a lifetime of shrewd savings to afford it. So while there are people who will drive the two hour (or more) commute to Atlanta, most start out as weekend getaways with the goal being to retire permanently there, so they majority of residents are certainly seniors. It is not a upper crust snob community full of "show-offs"...pretty much the opposite, in fact.

Bottom line: (IMO, of course)

This was a well organized, targeted crime committed by (probably two or more) perpetrators coming and leaving via the lake.

Since more "normal" and conventional scenarios are impossible (or the probability of such approaching 'zero') then it was a meticulous planned and executed plot, or we need to give a little more credence to oceanblueeyes, scenario of a "thrill-kill" (think Leopold and Loeb).

Getting in and out would be very difficult for a "stranger", but a neighbor's unstable son (with or without accomplices) should certainly not be ruled out.

If there is a neighbor who is unstable or has an unstable son, I would guess that LE would know that by now....said neighbor would have engaged a law firm and media would be beatings on their doors. I don't think it was a neighbor in Great Waters.

 

[Backwoods]

I don't think any of the MSM reports about the autopsy results mentioned anything about whether they have any idea what type of instrument was used in the decapitation. FBI may be taking a closer look at that...? I guess we're not likely to hear any time soon, even if a likely instrument is determined.

 

[Bethanthony]

http://www.fultonhistory.com/Proces...etin 1967-1968 Sep-Jul Grayscale - 0367.pdf

This is the first mention I have found about the Dermonds early life. It may not hold any importance, but it is interesting and fills in some of their timeline.

I grew up not far from here. My neighbor was a forensic accountant from the area, and often talks about the mob having a large presence in the area. Not to imply anything really about Russell, but maybe some early friendships for Mark, the deceased son?

 

[gngr~snap]

I don't think any of the MSM reports about the autopsy results mentioned anything about whether they have any idea what type of instrument was used in the decapitation. FBI may be taking a closer look at that...? I guess we're not likely to hear any time soon, even if a likely instrument is determined.

I don't know why, but I just had a thought.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the decapitation took place down at the lake.
* Sorry to word it like this, but like gutting and preparing fish.
If you have a lake a boat and a dock nearby that would be the easiest place to do it. Rinse everything off in the water. Even boats can be washed down.
I kept wondering how Sills" knew" he had been moved.
Was that due to dirt/mud/grass on his clothing?
I know he said a few feet- they don't tell us everything.

However why not throw the body in the lake at that point?
Leaving it in the garage gave the perp a few days.
A body in the water might have been discovered sooner.

Just thinking out loud here.

There is also something about not ever seeing a house that clean.
They know more!
Moo

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[swanniee11]

Eddie willers- Thank you for your insight, as I read what you were saying I was wondering if you know where they would have put a boat in at? Is there a place the people go to put the boat in the water so they can travel to that area? Wonder if there are camera's around there? Also, where is the golf course in relation to the water/roads? My google mapping is not working. TIA

 

[belimom]

This case is really on my mind, especially since I know folks who are/were friends with the Dermonds through church.

The nature of the crime just seems so much like a professional hit to me. Someone trying to send a message. I think a random person would have left more of a mess and more evidence.

In 1989, a college friend's mother was murdered. The word in our group of friends was that her father managed a string of grocery stores that ended up being some sort of front for organized crime. He knew too much and confided in the wrong person that he had contacted the FBI and was working with them to nab the guys. He came home to find his wife murdered. He sent his sons on a 2-day roadtrip to come to our college to tell his daughter the news in person about their mother. While they were on the road, he took his own life.

I'm not up to speed on fronts for organized crime, but grocery store chains and fast food chains aren't too far apart. I wonder if Russ found out something he shouldn't have? The only thing I don't get is: why take Shirley? Unless.... the message was for one of their children who now own the restaurant chains. Maybe they knew something? Just a wild guess. But you don't have to be involved in organized crime to be taken out by them - you just have to know too much.

Here is a thread I started in 2008 on my friend's parents:

TN TN - Deaths of Ed and Sybil Taunton, Memphis, Oct 1989 - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

 

[belimom]

Eddie willers- Thank you for your insight, as I read what you were saying I was wondering if you know where they would have put a boat in at? Is there a place the people go to put the boat in the water so they can travel to that area? Wonder if there are camera's around there? Also, where is the golf course in relation to the water/roads? My google mapping is not working. TIA

Lake Oconee is huge, with lots of access in different places. The Dermonds' gated community is just one small part of Lake Oconee, so a boat could've been put in at a number of landings. Hope this helps...

 

[Hickory Born]

I don't know why, but I just had a thought.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the decapitation took place down at the lake.
* Sorry to word it like this, but like gutting and preparing fish.
If you have a lake a boat and a dock nearby that would be the easiest place to do it. Rinse everything off in the water. Even boats can be washed down.
I kept wondering how Sills" knew" he had been moved.
Was that due to dirt/mud/grass on his clothing?
I know he said a few feet- they don't tell us everything.

However why not throw the body in the lake at that point?
Leaving it in the garage gave the perp a few days.
A body in the water might have been discovered sooner.

Just thinking out loud here.

There is also something about not ever seeing a house that clean.
They know more!
Moo

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

Those clean house comments have bugged me from day one. Is he trying to tell us, no fingerprints, no blood, no fibers, OR he doesn't think the killer/killers entered the house at all.

 

[Treelights]

http://www.fultonhistory.com/Proces...etin 1967-1968 Sep-Jul Grayscale - 0367.pdf

This is the first mention I have found about the Dermonds early life. It may not hold any importance, but it is interesting and fills in some of their timeline.

I grew up not far from here. My neighbor was a forensic accountant from the area, and often talks about the mob having a large presence in the area. Not to imply anything really about Russell, but maybe some early friendships for Mark, the deceased son?

Great find from 1968! Thanks!!

ETA:
"General Time employee of General
An Time Corporation in Stam- ford. Russell Dermond, has moved to Pheasant Run with his family from Ramsey, N.J. When asked why they chose Wilton, the Dermonds replied that they had looked all around and liked Wilton best. The family includes Mark, 14. Keith, 10, Bradley, five, and Leslie, 10 months. Mr. Der- mond is a graduate of Fair- leigh-Dickinson University, and Mrs. Dermond graduated from Barnard College. The family has many interests, but Mr. Dermond especially enjoys golf and Mrs. Dermond likes gar- dening and bridge."
http://www.fultonhistory.com/Proces...etin 1967-1968 Sep-Jul Grayscale - 0367.pdf