New DNA evidence found in connection with 2014 Georgia murders of Shirley and Russell Dermond

___

Investigators hope new DNA evidence could get them closer to solving a decade-old murder case.

The FBI and the Putnam County Sheriff's office confirmed on Thursday that additional DNA has been found in connection with the murders of Shirley and Russell Dermond.

The evidence has been sent to a private DNA lab for further testing.  

The couple was killed nearly 10 years ago. On May 6, 2014 Russell Dermond was found dead in his home in Eatonton. Authorities say he had been decapitated. Ten days later, his wife Shirley Dermond's body was found by fishermen in Lake Oconee. The grisly crime shocked their Lake Oconee community. 

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills is working with Andy Smith, special agent with the FBI on the case.

"This is a a crime that has really had an effect on a wonderful community in Middle Georgia, and it has had an effect on the sheriff's office there," he said in audio released from the FBI. "The investigators, the it's it was such a horrific crime. It's really a convergence of events that have caused this case to go unsolved. "Earlier this week, investigators upped the reward for information in the case from $5,000 to $20,000.

The agency says that is in addition to $5,000 dollars offered by local authorities.

"This is the first time we have confirmation of a sample that did not belong to Russell or Shirley Dermond,” Smith said.