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

[Treelights]

This is so sad and I am so sorry to the family for their loss. The finding of Mrs. Dermond's body in the water does give credence to killer's arrival and departure by water. Autopsy results should indicate if she was alive or dead when placed in the lake. I should hold off conjecture before then but will say, I kind of could see a situation where an abduction went horribly awry (and her son by saying he preferred death to suffering might have been right on track). There may be an abandoned camping spot on the lake that might hold some clues.

It definitely is logical that the killer could have arrived and left by boat, but if it was done by someone who lived in the community, they could also have arrived by foot and perhaps left by boat, if there were more than one person, or if this was thought out by one person only, they could have also arrived on foot and left by boat.
What stumps me is the security cameras not working.
If a person arrived by boat, would it be necessary to disable the security cameras in the neighborhood? Was it disabled or just stopped working by coincidence?
Just throwing out ideas....
IMOO.

 

[fran]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/missing-87-year-ga-womans-body-found-lake-23758517

Sills said the body was found five to six miles from the couple's home. Police now suspect that the assailant or assailants may have used a boat to gain access to the property and possibly took Shirley Dermond with them when they left.

 

[tlcya]

any tools/equipment that would be kept as a matter of course or might be found on a boat that would be capable of decapitating someone?

Oh lord. Apologies but am image just occurred to me and now it is stuck there. Boat as weapon? Motorboat? Would an engine on a motorboat with a pivot that lifts out of the water . . . ?


uggh. Sorry.

 

[Xara]

It definitely is logical that the killer could have arrived and left by boat, but if it was done by someone who lived in the community, they could also have arrived by foot and perhaps left by boat, if there were more than one person, or if this was thought out by one person only, they could have also arrived on foot and left by boat.
What stumps me is the security cameras not working.
If a person arrived by boat, would it be necessary to disable the security cameras in the neighborhood? Was it disabled or just stopped working by coincidence?
Just throwing out ideas....
IMOO.

This is just my opinion, but I think the gate cameras being disabled is just a coincidence.

 

[mck16]

It definitely is logical that the killer could have arrived and left by boat, but if it was done by someone who lived in the community, they could also have arrived by foot and perhaps left by boat, if there were more than one person, or if this was thought out by one person only, they could have also arrived on foot and left by boat.
What stumps me is the security cameras not working.
If a person arrived by boat, would it be necessary to disable the security cameras in the neighborhood? Was it disabled or just stopped working by coincidence?
Just throwing out ideas....
IMOO.

Are there security cameras along the water or are there patrol boats? Seems senseless to have security on the land and not on the water. Water access is vast and if anyone really wanted to get to a house they would certainly go by water. jmo

 

[Treelights]

In the article :

" “They had a security system. And they always kept their doors locked,” Keith Dermond said. “They were religious about that.” "

"Keith Dermond also revealed that cameras manning the gates at Reynolds Plantation weren’t functioning at the time."

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/body-found-at-lake-oconee/nfyLR/


I am wondering if the security system at their house means an alarm and video cameras, or just an alarm?
IMOO.

 

[tlcya]

the theory that maybe Mr. Dermond confronted boaters who had pulled in to his dock or were too close to his shoreline for comfort is tickling my grey matter. I am giving this some serious consideration.

Thinking along those lines, if he had done so and Mrs. Dermond knew he was doing so, if she heard raised or heated voices coming from that confrontation, perhaps she hollered from up at the house to let the intruders know someone else was there and fear she may call security or LE.

If so, perhaps the intruders having just killed Mr. D. by decapitation, somehow went and chased Mrs. D. down and now had to kill her. But how does the body of of Mr. D. ending up in the garage factor into such a theory?

 

[Destini]

In the article :

" “They had a security system. And they always kept their doors locked,” Keith Dermond said. “They were religious about that.” "

"Keith Dermond also revealed that cameras manning the gates at Reynolds Plantation weren’t functioning at the time."

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/body-found-at-lake-oconee/nfyLR/


I am wondering if the security system at their house means an alarm and video cameras, or just an alarm?
IMOO.

Gosh, you were reading my mind. I was just going to ask the same thing.

RIP Shirley - I am so saddened but not surprised.

 

[Carolinapeach]

:seeya:

the theory that maybe Mr. Dermond confronted boaters who had pulled in to his dock or were too close to his shoreline for comfort is tickling my grey matter. I am giving this some serious consideration.

Thinking along those lines, if he had done so and Mrs. Dermond knew he was doing so, if she heard raised or heated voices coming from that confrontation, perhaps she hollered from up at the house to let the intruders know someone else was there and fear she may call security or LE.

If so, perhaps the intruders having just killed Mr. D. by decapitation, somehow went and chased Mrs. D. down and now had to kill her. But how does the body of of Mr. D. ending up in the garage factor into such a theory?

Some people do get really upset about lines being cast around their docks. I've never thought it was a big deal but I guess it is to some.

 

[Canaille]

any tools/equipment that would be kept as a matter of course or might be found on a boat that would be capable of decapitating someone?

Oh lord. Apologies but am image just occurred to me and now it is stuck there. Boat as weapon? Motorboat? Would an engine on a motorboat with a pivot that lifts out of the water . . . ?


uggh. Sorry.

Sure. Other than a knife, deep sea fishing wire which I think is called a leader wire.

 

[Plumeria5]

I hope EVERYONE in the area made a special note of any strange reactions people they were with at the time showed when the news hit sweet Shirley's body was found. My emotions right now are of anger. Someone out there, maybe even following this thread, delighting in how "successful and cunnning" they think they are!!! They (I am going with that theory) must be found!!

 

[Nuvolari]

New here but following this closely.

A thought or two, perhaps meaningless, but related to the timeline: What type clothing did RD have on when his corpse was found? What type clothing did SD have on when found today at the dam? Was the bed made or unmade when LE first examined the scene? Were any lights on when LE first examined the scene on Tuesday morning, particularly the garage lights or the bedroom lights?

Obviously, if the pair had on sleeping garments and the bed was unmade, they may have been awakened, turned on the lights, and went to the door if the killer actually knocked or rang the bell. After the crime, would the killer have turned the lights off?

When the neighbor came to check, on Tuesday morning, did they touch anything? How did they come to discover the corpse?

Could this have been done without a boat or any other vehicle? Why would the killer risk being seen or heard by starting or shutting off a boat motor at the dock, especially at night when the neighbors across the cove could be within earshot?

If the couple were wearing ordinary daily clothing, what would be different? It's very hard to imagine the killer taking an insane risk by committing such a crime on Friday or Saturday during daylight.

Considering the normal time for a corpse to rise in water because of decomposition, is it possible that SD was not placed in the water until days after the crime?

A horrifying story. But the victims are now at peace.

 

[Foxfire]

the theory that maybe Mr. Dermond confronted boaters who had pulled in to his dock or were too close to his shoreline for comfort is tickling my grey matter. I am giving this some serious consideration.

Thinking along those lines, if he had done so and Mrs. Dermond knew he was doing so, if she heard raised or heated voices coming from that confrontation, perhaps she hollered from up at the house to let the intruders know someone else was there and fear she may call security or LE.

If so, perhaps the intruders having just killed Mr. D. by decapitation, somehow went and chased Mrs. D. down and now had to kill her. But how does the body of of Mr. D. ending up in the garage factor into such a theory?

I live in a gated community which has security and a very high percentage of elderly residents.. The largest hole that I see in the dock theory is that the elderly residents are very safety conscious and has 911 & security's emergency phone number on speed dial. They will call at the drop of a hat. There was no alarm emergency alert, 911 call, or private security called by the Dermonds.

 

[Destini]

New here but following this closely.

A thought or two, perhaps meaningless, but related to the timeline: What type clothing did RD have on when his corpse was found? What type clothing did SD have on when found today at the dam? Was the bed made or unmade when LE first examined the scene? Were any lights on when LE first examined the scene on Tuesday morning, particularly the garage lights or the bedroom lights?

Obviously, if the pair had on sleeping garments and the bed was unmade, they may have been awakened, turned on the lights, and went to the door if the killer actually knocked or rang the bell. After the crime, would the killer have turned the lights off?

When the neighbor came to check, on Tuesday morning, did they touch anything? How did they come to discover the corpse?

Could this have been done without a boat or any other vehicle? Why would the killer risk being seen or heard by starting or shutting off a boat motor at the dock, especially at night when the neighbors across the cove could be within earshot?

If the couple were wearing ordinary daily clothing, what would be different? It's very hard to imagine the killer taking an insane risk by committing such a crime on Friday or Saturday during daylight.

Considering the normal time for a corpse to rise in water because of decomposition, is it possible that SD was not placed in the water until days after the crime?

A horrifying story. But the victims are now at peace.

I wasn't clear from the press conference if she was found floating on the water or the fisherman "saw" something with a fish finder. Does anyone know?

Sheriff Sills said something about this being within the time frame of a body floating to the surface. But I swear last Saturday they were searching the cove because that was the time a body would surface. I don't know. I now wonder too if she was held somewhere & later killed & placed in the water.

I guess the autopsy will be able to determine how long she has been dead (I hope).

 

[Bethanthony]

Has there been any press coverage of their daughter, Leslie? Has she made a statement? I don't believe I have even seen a photo of her, but I have of her brothers.

Wasn't Leslie and her family who visited the Dermonds just recently? Was it Easter (which may have coincided with spring break, depending on the age of her children)?

I feel like I remember their pastor mentioned "grandchildren" visiting. Has their been any LE coverage about that visit, ie how long they stayed, what they did while they were there, etc.

I would imagine Leslie would be Sills' contact point since she was reportedly the last family member other than Shirley and Russell to be in the house...but instead it's Keith?

 

[LayzeeDayzee]

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/25539919/body-found-in-lake-oconee
Body found in the water at Long Shoals boat ramp by a fisherman. Near the dam.

How far is her house from here?

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

This article says her body was found by fisherman, about 5-6 miles from the Dermond home:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/16/justice/georgia-elderly-couple-killed/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

 

[Destini]

Oh, and one more thing. I can't imagine someone with a home that size, living in a gated community, that has a home security system would NOT have video cameras on the outside. We haven't really heard anything about that.

 

[mck16]

I live in a gated community which has security and a very high percentage of elderly residents.. The largest hole that I see in the dock theory is that the elderly residents are very safety conscious and has 911 & security's emergency phone number on speed dial. They will call at the drop of a hat. There was no alarm emergency alert, 911 call, or private security called by the Dermonds.

I am an older person and when I experience an occurrence of this kind, loud noise, people on my property my thoughts go to how disrespectful, and how dare they. I don't think they thought there was any danger, just rudeness and intrusion. jmo

 

[Destini]

Has there been any press coverage of their daughter, Leslie? Has she made a statement? I don't believe I have even seen a photo of her, but I have of her brothers.

Wasn't Leslie and her family who visited the Dermonds just recently? Was it Easter (which may have coincided with spring break, depending on the age of her children)?

I feel like I remember their pastor mentioned "grandchildren" visiting. Has their been any LE coverage about that visit, ie how long they stayed, what they did while they were there, etc.

I would imagine Leslie would be Sills' contact point since she was reportedly the last family member other than Shirley and Russell to be in the house...but instead it's Keith?

Sheriff Sills said in the press conference he had been in touch with her & she is supposed to contact other family members. He said something about getting back in touch with her later this evening, I believe.

 

[CandiceC]

First time commenting. I've been to Reynolds Plantation and it has the feel of a very safe community; people who don't appear to belong there would stick out. The children have said the parents were sticklers about setting their alarm and locking the doors. I can't fathom these murders were random. I live in a gated community and people think the security is better than it is. I would imagine the same would be true of anyone coming on to Reynolds Plantation. To move around as the killer or killers did would seem to take someone who was familiar with the community and the Dermonds.