A tragic and shocking event has unfolded in Simi Valley, California, where a respected physician and his wife were brutally murdered in their own home. Dr. Eric Cordes, a 63-year-old radiologist, and his wife, Vicki Cordes, 66, were victims of what police describe as a “targeted” shooting. The police investigation quickly identified their killer as their own son, Keith Cordes, a 37-year-old man whose actions have left the community reeling.
The details emerging from this incident are chilling. Police reported that Keith Cordes drove to the family home in a black Honda Civic and patiently waited for the right moment to strike. According to a neighbor, who witnessed parts of the ordeal, Keith conducted what could only be termed a “dry run” before executing his plan. He drove past the home early in the morning, before returning later to ambush his parents as they were going about their daily lives. The neighbor recounted to The New York Post, “He did like a drive-by, like a dry run at 11:25 and then went and staked out at that cul-de-sac.” This methodical approach underscores the brutal nature of the crime.
As the seemingly ordinary day unfolded, chaos erupted a short while later. At approximately noon, the neighbor’s son heard what were unmistakably gunshots, prompting him to look outside. What he witnessed would stay with him forever: Dr. Cordes and Vicki were both down, shot multiple times within the confines of their garage. The scene was described by the neighbor, Mike Hylton, whose own son saw the immediate aftermath. “Cordes was shot in the neck and head, and was hanging out of his Maserati door jam. Schiller was behind him laying on the ground with holes all over her,” Hylton reported, painting a haunting picture of the aftermath of the attack.
The unfortunate deaths of Dr. Eric Cordes and Vicki Cordes, both well-regarded in their community, raise numerous questions about what could lead a son to commit such a horrific act against his parents. As authorities sift through evidence, the exact motive remains unclear. “A motive for the murders is unclear,” reported NBC News, emphasizing the mystery that now shrouds this family tragedy.
Following the attack, Keith Cordes was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a burned car 70 miles away in Chino. The inconclusive information surrounding his death adds another layer of complexity to an incident already marked by tragedy. A report stated that the owner of the car had set it on fire before taking his own life, a final act that raises even more unsettling questions about the dynamics within the Cordes family.
The aftermath of this shocking crime will likely reverberate throughout the Simi Valley community. Residents are left to grapple with the shocking combination of familial ties and violent crime that shattered the lives of those once seen as pillars of the community. The emotional toll on neighbors and family members is immeasurable, embedding grief and confusion deep into their everyday lives.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of human behavior. In a world where violence often seems closer than we think, the events that transpired in that garage are a stark, chilling example of the extremes of human emotion and the unpredictable dynamics that can exist within a family. As the investigation continues, the community will undoubtedly search for answers, trying to make sense of a tragedy that should have never occurred.
"*" indicates required fields
