ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – New evidence in the homicide investigation of two grandparents could lead to a break in the decade-old case.
In 2014, investigators found Russell Dermond beheaded inside his upscale Lake Oconee home. His wife, Shirley, was found days later floating in the lake.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, whose department is leading the investigation, says evidence was initially sent to the GBI state crime lab for processing. Law enforcement only found DNA from the victims at the time.
Sills says as technology has improved over the years, he’s sent the same evidence to reputable labs in both Texas and Utah. This week, Sorenson Forensics in Draper, Utah, notified him they had found new DNA on clothing and other items that doesn’t belong to Russell or Shirley Dermond.
“I hope this additional testing will help me find what we need,” Sills said.
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