PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga.(WXIA) – On the surface at least, things looked pretty normal at Lake Oconee as local residents prepare for the big upcoming July 4th holiday weekend.

But underneath, many are well aware that one of the area's biggest and most gruesome murders remains unsolved.

Connie Lee Mize joined her attorney Gregory Bushway to speak out against allegations she shoplifted $115 worth of items from an Eatonton Wal-Mart.

The search in Lake Oconee for new clues in a double murder is on hold today.

Richard Tanner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says his teams searched the lake from Friday night through last night for evidence in the deaths of Russell and Shirley Dermond.

He said they did not find any new clues.

A fisherman found Shirley Dermond's body. Tanner says they searched a 6- to 8-mile stretch between the Dermond's lakeside home and the dam where she was found.

Tanner says he'll talk to Sills about where they'll look next.

We could not reach Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills for comment this morning.

Meanwhile, Coroner Gary McElhenney says Shirley Dermond's body was so badly decomposed, it was hard to tell if there's bruising or signs of struggle. He said an medical examiner ruled out stabbing or bullet wounds.