Killer of Calif. Doctor and Wife Was His Son — Who Then Turned Gun on Himself
NEED TO KNOW
- On Sunday, Nov. 30, police responded to a report about a shooting at a home in Simi Valley, Calif.
- Dr. Eric Cordes, 63, and his wife Vicki Cordes, 66, were found lying in the driveway, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, police said
- Hours later, police in Chino found the body of a man inside a burning car who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
A doctor and his wife were fatally shot outside their home in Southern California — and now, police allege that his son was the gunman who took their lives before turning the weapon on himself.
On Sunday, Nov. 30, just after 12 p.m. local time, radiologist Dr. Eric Cordes, 63, and his wife, Vicki, 66, were found unresponsive in the driveway of their home in Simi Valley after being shot multiple times in their garage, the Simi Valley Police Department said, KTLA reported.
The couple were rushed to a local hospital, where they later died, according to the outlet.
A black sedan was seen fleeing the scene after the shooting, police said, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Hours later, officers responded to reports of a car fire in Chino, where the doctor’s son, Keith Cordes, 37, of Kentucky, had fatally shot himself after setting his car ablaze, police said, per ABC News.
The San Bernardino County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the remains found in the car that had been set on fire were those of Keith Cordes, the outlet reported.
A gun found nearby is believed to be the same gun Cordes used to shoot his father and stepmother, police said, according to NBC News.
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The hospital where Dr. Cordes worked has since released a statement about the tragedy.
“The Adventist Health Simi Valley community is heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our longtime colleague, Dr. Eric Cordes, and his wife, Vicki,” the statement read. “Dr. Cordes was a highly respected, board-certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him as we grieve this shocking loss.”
Cordes also worked at Focus Medical Imaging, according to its website.
Police are investigating a motive for the slayings.
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