Twenty-two days into 2008 and the Newton County Sheriff's Office is already investigating their third homicide after a couple was reportedly found murdered Tuesday night.

Jeffery Nevels, 40, and Rachel Buser, 30, were reportedly found dead at a residence in The Falls subdivision at 695 Freeman Drive Tuesday night in what investigators believe to be a double homicide.

 "We are currently following up leads in the investigation," said NCSO Lt. Bill Watterson. "We've gotten several clues so far and are just tracking everything down. We have several ideas for motive, but we just have to pin it down."

One of the victim's employers called police after he found the couple dead at the home, he said

"The victim had not been to work in a few days and the employer was concerned and went to the house," Watterson said. "When he arrived he found that all the lights were off and no one answered the door. He left but came back later with a friend. After looking into the windows he spotted the bodies on the floor."

Although specific details of the case, including cause of death, are being withheld, Watterson said there was no sign of forced entry into the home and it did not appear drugs were involved.

"It looks like they knew the perpetrator," Watterson said.

Both bodies have been taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's crime lab in Decatur and investigators are currently waiting on an exact time of death and the results of the toxicology report. Early indications suggest the couple had been dead for at least a day or more when the bodies were found, Watterson said.

Tuesday's murders brought the total number of homicides for 2008 in Newton County to four in three separate cases. The year got off to a rocky start when Dennis Rogers reportedly shot Courtney Thornton on New Year's Day. Rogers later died of his wounds. Two weeks later, Darrell Antonio Crowder allegedly murdered his estranged wife Catcilia Crowder while their 16-year-old daughter slept in a nearby room.

Both suspects were later arrested.

Anyone with further information regarding case is asked to call the Newton County Sheriff's Office at (678) 625-1403. Tips may also be given anonymously at (678) 625-5007 or on their Web site www.newtonsheriffga.org.