A Southern California radiologist and his wife were shot and killed in their home garage in an attack carried out by the doctor’s own son, who later died by suicide after setting his vehicle on fire.
Dr. Eric Cordes, 63, and his wife Vicki Cordes, 66, were found with multiple gunshot wounds in the open garage of their Hawks Bill Place residence in the Wood Ranch neighborhood of Simi Valley on Nov. 30. Officers from the Simi Valley Police Department responded shortly after noon local time following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the residential area.
Both victims were transported to a local trauma center but succumbed to their injuries. The shooting sent shockwaves through the community where Dr. Cordes had practiced medicine for nearly three decades.
Authorities identified 37-year-old Keith Cordes, a Kentucky resident, as the suspected gunman. Keith was Dr. Cordes’ son and Vicki Cordes’ stepson. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect flee the scene in a black sedan bearing out-of-state license plates immediately after the shooting.
Using FLOCK camera systems and license plate reader technology, detectives tracked the vehicle’s movement as it traveled southbound on the 210 Freeway. The surveillance technology allowed investigators to follow the car’s path from Simi Valley to the city of Chino, approximately 70 miles away, where it was eventually located near Ayala Park.
When authorities arrived at the Chino location, they discovered the vehicle had been intentionally set ablaze. A deceased individual was found nearby with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The extensive fire damage to both the vehicle and the body initially prevented immediate identification of the deceased.
On Dec. 2, the San Bernardino County Medical Examiner confirmed the identity of the deceased individual as Keith Cordes. Investigators believe the same firearm used in the double homicide was also used in Keith’s suicide, though forensic testing to conclusively link the weapon to all three deaths was still pending at the time authorities released information about the case.
The motive behind the shooting remains under active investigation. Police have not released information about any history between Keith Cordes and his father and stepmother, nor have they indicated whether there were any warning signs before the attack.
Dr. Cordes was a board-certified radiologist who had devoted his entire professional career to serving the Simi Valley community and surrounding areas. He worked with both Adventist Health Simi Valley and Focus Medical Imaging, where colleagues remembered him as a dedicated physician.
Adventist Health Simi Valley released a statement expressing their grief over the loss. “The Adventist Health Simi Valley community is heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our longtime colleague, Dr. Eric Cordes, and his wife, Vicki. 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 hospital stated.
Focus Medical Imaging, where Dr. Cordes had worked for several years, also mourned his loss.
The use of automated license plate readers and camera systems proved crucial in quickly identifying and locating the suspect’s vehicle. These technologies have become increasingly important tools for law enforcement agencies tracking suspects who flee crime scenes, allowing investigators to trace vehicle movements across multiple jurisdictions in real time.
Neighbors in the Wood Ranch community expressed shock at the violence that occurred in their typically quiet residential area. The neighborhood, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, was left grappling with the sudden loss of two longtime residents who were well-known members of the local community.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and determine what may have motivated Keith Cordes to allegedly carry out the attack on his father and stepmother. Authorities continue to review evidence, interview witnesses, and conduct forensic analyses as part of their comprehensive investigation into the double homicide.