The person at the center of this case
Russell Joseph Dermond and Shirley Wilcox Dermond
Cold Case · Open
12 years waiting · since 2014
RUSSELL JOSEPH DERMOND AND SHIRLEY WILCOX DERMOND
Justice for Russell Joseph Dermond and Shirley Wilcox Dermond — the trail went cold in 2014, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Who had access to the Dermond residence and knowledge of their routines on May 6, 2014?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What evidence was recovered at the crime scene that might identify the perpetrator(s)?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3Why was Shirley's body found in Lake Oconee—was she killed at the residence or elsewhere?
On May 6, 2014, Russell Joseph Dermond was found brutally murdered in his Eatonton, Georgia home, decapitated in what investigators believe was a targeted killing. His wife, Shirley Wilcox Dermond, disappeared on the same day and was discovered ten days later in Lake Oconee by fishermen. Despite FBI and local investigation, the perpetrator(s) remain unidentified, and the motive for this violent double homicide remains unknown.
Case
#430
FBI Atlanta Field Office and Putnam County Sheriff's Office
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Were there any signs of forced entry, robbery, or personal conflict that could indicate motive?
👁️
witness
Lead #5Did any neighbors or passersby observe suspicious activity or vehicles near the Dermond home on May 6, 2014?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
May 6, 2014 Eatonton, Georgia The FBI's Atlanta Field Office and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the individual(s) responsible for the deaths of Russell Joseph Dermond and his wife, Shirley Wilcox Dermond. On May 6, 2014, Russell Dermond was found dead in his home in Eatonton, Georgia.
He had been decapitated. At that time, Shirley Wilcox could not be located.
Ten days later, on May 16, 2014, Shirley’s body was found by fishermen in Lake Oconee in Georgia.
Timeline of Events
👤
2014-05-06
Russell Dermond found dead; Shirley Dermond disappears
Russell Joseph Dermond discovered deceased in his home in Eatonton, Georgia, decapitated. Shirley Wilcox Dermond could not be located.
🔍
2014-05-16
Shirley Dermond's body recovered
Shirley's body was found by fishermen in Lake Oconee, Georgia, ten days after the initial incident.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 6, 2014
Last Updated:May 12, 2026
Up to $20,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:May 6, 2014
Last Updated:May 12, 2026
Up to $20,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case