Simi Valley, California — A tragic double homicide has shaken the Simi Valley community, where a local doctor and his wife were fatally shot over the weekend. Authorities suspect that the culprit was the couple’s son, leading to a shocking turn of events that has left friends and neighbors in disbelief.
Dr. Eric Cordes, 63, and his wife, Vicki Cordes, 66, were discovered with multiple gunshot wounds inside their garage shortly after police received reports of gunfire on Nov. 30. Despite being rushed to the hospital, both were pronounced dead upon arrival.
Witness accounts described a male suspect, believed to be in his 30s, fleeing the scene in a black sedan with out-of-state plates. Investigators, utilizing the FLOCK camera system, later tracked a vehicle of interest registered to their son, 37-year-old Keith Cordes from Kentucky. The car was observed leaving Simi Valley before being spotted on the 210 Freeway.
As the investigation progressed, police coordinated with the Chino Police Department and located the suspect’s vehicle parked near Ayala Park. In a tragic development, it was revealed that Keith Cordes had allegedly set the car on fire before ending his own life. The flames inflicted extensive damage that initially hindered identification.
Officials confirmed Keith Cordes as the deceased male, and preliminary forensic evidence suggests that the firearm recovered from the scene of his death was the same weapon used in the shooting of his parents. The investigation into this harrowing incident is ongoing.
Dr. Eric Cordes was a well-respected board-certified radiologist known for his dedication to the Simi Valley community, having served the area for nearly three decades. Adventist Health Simi Valley expressed profound sorrow over his passing, highlighting his compassionate care and the impact he had on his patients and colleagues.
Eric Cordes’s dedication extended to his work with Focus Medical Imaging, where colleagues remembered him as a brilliant physician and respected team member. Statements from the medical group emphasized their collective grief at the loss of a man who devoted his life to serving others.
The news has left many in the community grappling with disbelief. Neighbors recalled him as a figure of positivity and expertise, with friends describing both Eric and Vicki as kind-hearted individuals. Mike Hylton, a close acquaintance, reflected on their character, expressing his sorrow over the profound loss.
Hylton’s son witnessed the immediate aftermath, hearing the gunfire and seeing the suspect’s car speed away. This incident has sent ripples of shock throughout Simi Valley, underscoring the unexpected nature of violent crime in a typically peaceful area.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left to mourn the loss of two beloved figures and to grapple with the complex emotions surrounding familial struggles and tragic outcomes.