Simi Valley police have identified the son of a Southern California radiologist as the suspect in a Nov. 30 double shooting that killed the doctor and his wife. Investigators say 37-year-old Keith Cordes was found dead by suicide in San Bernardino County—more than 70 miles away—just hours after officers discovered the victims in their home.
Eric and Vicki Cordes, ages 63 and 66, were shot multiple times Sunday afternoon when Keith Cordes, who lived in Kentucky, entered the open garage of their Hawks Bill Place home and opened fire. Both victims were rushed to a nearby trauma center but later died from their injuries.
Early in the investigation, police identified Keith Cordes—Eric’s son and Vicki’s stepson—as a possible suspect. Using the FLOCK camera system, officers tracked his black Honda Civic leaving the Wood Ranch neighborhood. License plate readers later captured the car traveling south on the 210 Freeway, exiting in Chino, and arriving at Ayala Park.
According to police, someone associated with the vehicle set it on fire before fatally shooting himself. Severe burns initially prevented identification, but the San Bernardino County Medical Examiner confirmed Tuesday that the body was Cordes and that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators believe he used the same gun in both the homicides and the suicide.
Detectives are still working to determine the circumstances and potential motive behind the shooting.
Neighbors described Eric and Vicki Cordes as pillars of their community. Eric, a board-certified radiologist, spent nearly 30 years with Adventist Health Simi Valley, while Vicki worked as a fitness instructor.
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