New evidence released in murder of Lake Oconee couple

ATLANTA — Investigators are sorting through thousands of pages of potential new evidence in the beheading of an elderly man and the murder of his wife.
 
Someone killed Russell and Shirley Dermond at their home near Lake Oconee in May. The killer or killers beheaded Russell Dermond and investigators found Shirley Dermond's body in the lake.
 
Now the Putnam County Sheriff has phone records that could provide new clues.
 
"We're still actively investigating," said Sheriff Howard Sills. "Most people of this age are not murdered, much less murdered in this manner."
 
Sills told Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne his office received tens of thousands of pages worth of phone records.
 
"I've now received their phone records for six months period prior to their murder, and likewise an equal number of records of anybody associated with them," Sills said.
 
The Gwinnett County district attorney's office is using special software to help analyze the data. The sheriff hopes the records will uncover clues.
 
The sheriff says they are also still conducting interviews.
 
"We re-interviewed some family members last week again for the second time. (Looking for) some revelation, something we might have missed out on," Sills said.
 
There is a $55,000 reward for any information that might lead to an arrest in this case.
 
If you can help investigators with any clues call the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 706-485-8557.

WSBTV