Southern California police say someone shot and killed Dr. Eric Cordes and his wife, 66-year-old Vicki Cordes, outside their home in Simi Valley in a targeted attack.
Hours later and roughly 70 miles away, a burning car and a deceased man were found in Chino, California. Authorities now believe the two are “likely” connected.
The double shooting
According to the Los Angeles Times, on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Simi Valley police received reports of gunfire in the upscale Wood Ranch area. Officers arrived at the home on Hawks Bill Place and discovered Eric and Vicki suffering from multiple gunshot wounds near their garage. First responders transported the Cordes to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The burning car
Later that same afternoon, Chino, California, police arrived at a parking lot where a vehicle, matching the description of the getaway car, was engulfed in flames. Near the charred vehicle was the body of a man and a handgun. Simi Valley witnesses told police they saw a man approach the couple before fleeing in a black sedan.
Sergeant Rick Morton of the Simi Valley Police Department said the car discovered in Chino was “likely connected” to the double homicide and confirmed that detectives are working closely with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
However, Morton emphasized that the man found dead in Chino remained unidentified due to the condition of the body, explaining, “I don’t know at this time … if that handgun is related to our crime scene until further investigation is completed.”
Although detectives believe the burned body may be tied to the killings, officials have stopped short of confirming whether the deceased man was known to the couple or whether he may have been the shooter.
The ongoing investigation
The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy, and ballistic testing is underway to determine whether the firearm found near the burned car matches the weapon used in the Cordes homicides.
The case has shaken residents of the typically quiet Wood Ranch community, where neighbors described the area as peaceful and family-oriented. Many expressed disbelief that a couple so well known and admired could be targeted so violently.
Dr. Cordes in particular, was remembered warmly by colleagues, patients, and friends who said he had treated generations of local families.
Adventist Health Simi Valley said in a statement, “Dr. Cordes was a highly respected, board-certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him as we grieve this shocking loss.”
As of the latest updates, investigators have not announced a motive for the killings, nor have they confirmed the identity of the man found dead in Chino. Police are investigating the Chino death as a suicide, say there is no active threat to the public, and urge anyone with information to contact Simi Valley detectives.
Published: Dec 2, 2025 04:16 pm