California authorities are working to unravel the disturbing circumstances surrounding the deaths of a respected Simi Valley radiologist and his wife, whose bodies were discovered in their driveway after a targeted shooting.
The case has only grown more complex following the discovery of a third body in a burning vehicle hours later, believed to be connected to the attack.
Dr. Eric Cordes and his wife, Vicki Cordes, were found late Sunday morning suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside their home in a quiet suburban neighborhood roughly 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Emergency crews transported the couple to a nearby hospital, but both later died from their injuries.
Police believe the shooter entered through an open garage door before carrying out the attack. Witnesses reported seeing a black vehicle speeding away moments after the gunfire, according to local outlet KTLA.
Burning Vehicle Adds New Layer to Investigation
The investigation took a chilling turn when officers in Chino, about 70 miles away, located a vehicle engulfed in flames with a deceased driver inside. Authorities say the apparent suicide may be tied to the Cordes killings, but confirmation will depend on the findings of the medical examiner.
Vicki Cordes was tragically killed in the shooting. Credit: Facebook.
Rumors circulated among nearby residents claiming the person fleeing the scene may have been the couple’s stepson, though police urge caution. “We’re unable to substantiate who that suspect is, due to the condition of the subject that is located in Chino,” Sergeant Rick Morton said during a press briefing.
Community and Colleagues Mourn Respected Physician
The victims’ identities were later confirmed by Adventist Health Simi Valley, where Dr. Cordes served for nearly three decades. The hospital issued an emotional statement calling him a dedicated radiologist and a deeply valued member of the medical staff.
“Dr. Cordes was a highly respected, board-certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years,” the statement read, via The Sun.
Focus Medical Imaging, another group he worked with, described him as a hardworking, well-liked colleague whose absence will be profoundly felt.
Dr. Eric Cordes was fatally shot in his driveway. Credit: Focus Medical Imaging.
Neighborhood in Shock After Rare Act of Violence
Residents of the typically peaceful subdivision expressed disbelief at the sudden eruption of violence. One neighbor told KTLA that nothing like this had happened in the decade they had lived in the area.
Friends of the couple remembered them as generous community leaders. Mike Hylton, a longtime acquaintance, emphasized Dr. Cordes’s positive impact. “He’s known by a lot of people and it’s just really sad,” he told KABC.
Police continue to investigate the connection between the shooting and the burned vehicle as the community searches for answers in a case that has shaken the region.