KENNER, La. (AP) — A tip from a television show has led to the arrest of a Louisiana man in a double homicide case that's more than 10 years old.
Kenner Police said Dernell Nelson, 35, of LaPlace, was arrested Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder for the 2010 slayings of Hermania Ellsworth and Charles Davis, WVUE-TV reported. It was unknown if Nelson has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
In June 2010, police say Ellsworth and Davis were found shot multiple times in a vehicle that had crashed into a tree in Kenner. The couple was pronounced dead on the scene. Their 3-year-old son was found in the backseat, injured from the impact of the crash.
Police reopened an investigation into that case last month after receiving a tip from the television documentary series, “Unsolved Mysteries.” Detectives were able to connect Nelson to the homicide by DNA and additional circumstantial evidence, authorities said. Further details were not released.
Officials believe Nelson may also be responsible for a July 2010 double homicide of Herbert Glass and Lynette Williams, who were found shot to death and bound by duct tape, floating in Lake Pontchartrain.
Officials believe both cases are related. Additional arrests are expected.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Kenner Police at 504-712-2222 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
