I am seeking empirical evidence for the evolution story

[SvennoJ]

One more thing, the oldest DNA sequenced so far is 500,000 years old. The eaeliest life started 3,700,000,000 years ago.
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/5052/20131123/oldest-dna-sequenced-done-breakthrough-technology.htm
It's not unreasonable to think DNA has grown into the complex structure it is today over that kind of time period.