SANDPOINT — The perpetrators behind the slaying of a Clark Fork man have good cause to be worried.

Bonner County sheriff’s officials said crucial evidence has emerged in the killing of George Andres, a 73-year-old who was found shot to death at his home north of Clark Fork last December.

“We have received fingerprints from inside George Andres’ home that are unknown at this time,” said Det. Phil Stella.

Stella said the prints are being analyzed by Idaho State Police. They’re also being run through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, a national database of known fingerprints.

Investigators believe at least two people were involved in the killing of Andres, whom they suspect was killed after interrupting a burglary at his home on Mountain View Road.

Andres’ killing has not been conclusively linked to the murder of Shirley Ann Ramey, 78, although there are striking similarities. Both victims were septuagenarians who lived in somewhat remote rural neighborhoods in the Cabinet Mountains foothills overlooking Lake Pend Oreille.

Shell casings were recovered from both scenes and are being subject to touch DNA analysis and forensic analysis by the Washington state’s crime lab and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms, according to Stella.

DNA touch analysis examines the microscopic skin cells which are shed when somebody handles an object.

In the Ramey case, Stella said detectives have processed and cataloged more than a hundred leads. He’s also confident that there are people with knowledge of Ramey’s killing.

“I absolutely think someone knows what happened,” said Stella.

Daryl Ramey, Shirley Ramey’s husband, is of a similar opinion.

“Somebody out there knows,” he said.

Stella said investigators have had to be stingy with the release of information to the public about both cases in order to efficiently evaluate leads.

“We can’t tell everybody what’s happening,” he said.

A $15,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of Shirley Ramey’s killer. Daryl Ramey said the reward was originally offered in the event of a conviction, although he’s removed that language in the hope that somebody will talk.

Shirley Ramey was the city clerk for Hope for more than a quarter century and was known for her punctuality and perfect attendance.

“She was never late for anything,” said Daryl Ramey.

Shriley Ramey’s headstone at the Hope Cemetery notes that she never missed a city council meeting and made sure her travels did not conflict with meetings.

“She was very proud of that,” Daryl Ramey said.

The couple would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this year.

Those with information about either case can submit tips by sending an email to anonymous@bonnercountyid.gov or by calling 208-255-COPS.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.