A prominent California doctor and his wife have been found executed in the garage of their multi-million-pound home, in a shocking incident that has rocked a quiet neighbourhood. Police are now investigating a possible connection to a deceased body discovered inside a burning vehicle roughly 70 miles away.
A Quiet Community Shattered by Violence
Dr. Eric Cordes, a 63-year-old radiologist described as 'highly respected', and his 66-year-old wife Vicki, were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds in the driveway of their Simi Valley home on Sunday around noon. The couple's residence is located in the Wood Ranch area, known for its tranquillity.
Simi Valley Police Sergeant Rick Morton confirmed that several concerned neighbours reported hearing gunfire before officers arrived at the scene. The married couple was found lying in the driveway, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. They were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition but sadly succumbed to their injuries by 7pm that evening.
The violent nature of the crime has left the local community deeply unsettled. 'It's crazy, because like I said, this just doesn't happen here,' one resident, Joel Lemos, told reporters. He lamented that Simi Valley, once famed as one of America's safest cities, had 'gotten a little crazy.' Sergeant Morton echoed this, stating a double homicide is 'very rare' for the city.
A Grisly Discovery Miles Away
In a potentially linked development, authorities discovered a body inside a fiery sedan at Ayala Park in Chino. The park is approximately 70 miles from the scene of the double murder. While police have not officially confirmed a connection, the proximity in timing has sparked a major investigation.
Investigators are working on the theory that the suspect fled the murder scene before travelling to the park and setting the car alight. A burnt vehicle was later photographed being towed from the park, surrounded by forensic teams.
Police have revealed that a neighbour identified the potential gunman as the couple's stepson, described as a white male. 'The department is not ruling the stepson out and the possibility that the deaths are related, but we are still trying to confirm if that is the case,' Sergeant Morton stated. No arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon.
A Legacy of Service and a Community in Mourning
Dr. Eric Cordes was a board-certified radiologist who had served the Simi Valley community for nearly three decades at Adventist Health Simi Valley. Following the tragic news, his employer issued a heartfelt statement.
'The Adventist Health Simi Valley community is heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our longtime colleague, Dr. Eric Cordes, and his wife, Vicki,' a spokesperson said. 'Dr. Cordes was a highly respected, board-certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years.'
Authorities have emphasised that they do not believe the fatal shooting was a random act and that there is no ongoing threat to the wider area. However, the motive behind the brutal attack remains unclear. The investigation, involving both Simi Valley and Chino police departments, continues as forensic evidence is processed from both crime scenes.
