Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie is trying to allay the anxieties of the community over the investigation into a high-profile double homicide.

In a letter to the editor, McDuffie noted the desire among Effingham residents for a conclusion to the investigation of who killed longtime businessman Philip Heidt and his son Carey on Aug. 24. The Heidts were killed in Philip’s home and his wife Linda was wounded in the attack.

“However, we must continue the investigation and give the investigators and agents every resource possible to ensure that justice will be carried out,” McDuffie said.

Sheriff’s investigators and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents have interviewed more than 120 people and have had to follow through on all of Philip Heidt’s extensive business involvements.

Authorities have been hesitant to release many details of the incident, which is still being probed.

“I feel that releasing details may undermine the integrity of the investigation, due to its complexity,” McDuffie said in his letter.

At the Effingham Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast Wednesday morning, state Rep. Jon Burns, a longtime friend of Philip Heidt’s, recalled the late real estate broker and developer’s service to the Chamber. Heidt was president of the Chamber from 1998-99.

“Philip was a great leader,” Burns said. “As we all remember Philip fondly, and I think we should, he was a great influence.”

Burns also asked people to remember the Heidt family at this time of the year and law enforcement as they try to solve the crime.

McDuffie also stated in his letter that he has “complete faith in the investigators and agents” working on the case.