Ep 28. The House in the Woods

In this episode of Dateline, season 25 episode 28 titled "The House in the Woods", we follow the story of a young couple who vanished without a trace from their home. Their families and friends are left devastated as they search for answers.

The couple, Russell and Shirley Dermond, were a prominent and well-liked pair who lived in a peaceful, gated community in Georgia. One evening, when their neighbors noticed that their boathouse door was open, they went to check on the couple in their home. Upon entering the house, they found something horrific: Russell was nowhere to be found, and Shirley's decapitated body was lying in the garage.

The police were called immediately, and they launched a massive investigation to find the killer and a possible motive. The couple's family and friends were interviewed, and a list of suspects was compiled. But as weeks turned into months, no one was arrested, and the case went cold.

In the years that followed, the Dermond family tried to come to terms with their loss. But they were haunted by the fact that no one had been brought to justice for the brutal murders of their loved ones. The community felt unsafe, and rumors swirled about who could have committed such a heinous crime.

In the episode "The House in the Woods", Dateline explores the case by speaking with the investigators who were involved, the Dermond family, and others who knew Russell and Shirley. Viewers will see how the evidence was collected, where it led, and why the case became one of the most difficult and perplexing crimes to solve.

The investigators sifted through a staggering amount of evidence, and each new lead seemed to lead them in a different direction. Some of the townspeople were quick to throw accusations at one another, and racial tensions skyrocketed.

As the episode progresses, viewers will journey through the theories and suspects that surrounded the Dermond case. The evidence and witness statements were examined and re-examined, but each time the trail seemed to go cold. Every time investigators had what they thought could be the reason behind the murders, it was debunked.

After years of investigation, a surprising piece of evidence surfaced, and investigators finally had a possible suspect. A man was arrested, and the Dermond family could finally begin to get the closure they needed. But as this dark story continues to unravel, the truth is even more shocking than the families could ever have imagined.

Dateline's "The House in the Woods" episode is a chilling reminder that even in the most idyllic of locations, there can be evil lurking just around the corner. The episode is a must-watch for true-crime enthusiasts who enjoy being taken on a journey of suspense, thrill, and unexpected twists.