Tragic Double Homicide in Simi Valley: A Beloved Physician and His Wife Fatally Shot by Son
A shocking and devastating incident has shaken the peaceful community of Simi Valley, where a respected physician and his wife were gunned down in their own home by their son. The tragic event unfolded on a Sunday afternoon, leaving the neighborhood reeling and searching for answers. Eric Cordes, a 63-year-old radiologist, and his wife Vicki, 66, were found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in their garage, and despite being rushed to a local hospital, they were pronounced dead.
According to the Simi Valley Police Department, the double homicide occurred around noon, prompting multiple 911 calls for gunfire in the 500 block of Hawks Bill Place. The police response was swift, but unfortunately, the victims could not be saved. Eric Cordes was a “beloved physician” and radiologist at Adventist Health Simi Valley, where he had served the community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years, as stated by Alice Issai, the hospital’s president.
Investigation and Suspect Identification
The police investigation revealed that the suspected shooter was none other than Keith Cordes, the 37-year-old son of the victims. Initially, the police believed the attack was targeted, but the suspect’s identity was not confirmed until the San Bernardino County medical examiner identified the corpse found in a burned car in Chino as Keith Cordes. The police used license plate recognition cameras to track the vehicle, a black Honda Civic registered to Keith, as it traveled southbound on the 210 Freeway before exiting in Chino and parking near Ayala Park.
Upon coordination with Chino police, detectives learned that an individual inside the car set the vehicle on fire before fatally shooting himself. The severe burns prevented initial identification, but investigators retrieved a handgun from the vehicle, which is believed to be the weapon used to kill the couple. Keith was a resident of Kentucky, and the Simi Valley police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack, with the medical examiner conducting additional forensic testing.
Community Reaction and Tributes
The Adventist Health Simi Valley community is heartbroken over the tragic deaths of Dr. Eric Cordes and his wife, Vicki. The hospital’s president, Alice Issai, expressed her condolences, stating, “Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him as we grieve this shocking loss.” The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, which averages around one homicide a year, leaving many searching for answers and trying to come to terms with the senseless violence.
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