Authorities in Southern California are continuing to unravel the grim details of a double homicide that has shocked a quiet Simi Valley neighborhood and drawn national attention. Dr. Eric Cordes, a 63-year-old radiologist, and his wife, 66-year-old Vicki Cordes, were fatally shot in the driveway of their $1.3 million home on Sunday, November 30, 2025, in what investigators describe as a “targeted and deliberate ambush.” Within hours, the prime suspect — their 37-year-old son, Keith Cordes — was found dead in a burned-out vehicle nearly 75 miles away, in what authorities believe was a suicide.

The killings have left a community shaken, a family destroyed, and investigators searching for a motive behind an attack that appears preplanned, personal, and carried out with chilling precision.

Timeline of the Attack

Shortly after noon on November 30, emergency crews responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire on the 5400 block of Evening Sky Drive, a residential street known for its manicured lawns and tranquil cul-de-sacs. Officers arrived to find Dr. Cordes and his wife lying on the driveway with multiple gunshot wounds. Both were transported to a local hospital, where they later died.

According to police, the couple had just opened their garage door — possibly preparing to leave — when the gunman approached and fired at close range. Multiple witnesses reported hearing between five and ten gunshots, followed by the sound of a vehicle speeding away.

Security footage from nearby homes captured what investigators believe is the suspect’s getaway car: a black sedan leaving the neighborhood within seconds of the attack. No further details were released at the time, but investigators immediately began reviewing license-plate recognition data and traffic-camera records.

Burned Car Discovered — With Suspected Gunman Inside

Later that afternoon, firefighters in Chino, California — approximately 70 to 75 miles from Simi Valley — responded to reports of a burning vehicle on a remote road near an industrial area. Once the flames were extinguished, officials found a body in the driver’s seat, along with a handgun close by.

Early forensic comparisons indicated that the burned vehicle matched the one seen leaving the Cordes property. Though the remains were badly charred, investigators used vehicle registration, partial DNA samples, and digital evidence to identify the deceased as Keith Cordes, the victims’ son.

On December 2, police publicly announced that Keith was believed to be responsible for the homicides and had died by suicide shortly after the attack. The weapon found near his body is believed to be the same firearm used in the shooting, though ballistic confirmation is ongoing.

A Targeted Ambush, Not Random Violence

Authorities say the attack was “not random,” emphasizing that the victims were intentionally targeted. Some neighbors reported seeing what appeared to be a similar car circling the neighborhood earlier that morning, leading investigators to believe the suspect may have conducted surveillance or a “dry run” before returning to carry out the killings.

The shooting was described as “execution-style,” involving multiple shots fired at close range. Police have not released the exact number of rounds used, but witnesses described the gunfire as rapid and concentrated.

Investigators also revealed that there were no signs of forced entry, robbery, or struggle — further reinforcing that the assailant’s sole intent was to kill Dr. Cordes and his wife.

Who Was Dr. Eric Cordes?

The victims were well known and widely respected. Dr. Cordes, a radiologist with nearly three decades of medical experience, had worked at multiple facilities in Ventura County and greater Los Angeles. Colleagues described him as a compassionate physician who was deeply committed to patient care.

His wife, Vicki, was remembered as warm, friendly, and active in community circles. The couple had lived in Simi Valley for over 20 years and were frequently seen walking their dogs or attending local events. Their deaths have left neighbors devastated and searching for answers.

The Suspect: A Son With Unknown Motives

Little has been publicly disclosed about the relationship between Keith Cordes and his parents. Public records show no prior criminal charges or restraining orders involving the family, and police have not confirmed whether there were recent disputes, financial issues, or mental-health concerns.

Neighbors said Keith had not been seen regularly at his parents’ home in recent years, though several remembered seeing him visiting occasionally. Some described him as quiet and private; others said they rarely saw him at all.

Authorities say they are examining possible motives including:

Long-simmering family conflict

Financial disputes or inheritance disagreements

Mental-health deterioration

Estrangement or unresolved personal issues

However, investigators caution that no single motive has been confirmed.

Investigation Continues: Forensics, Digital Evidence, and Autopsy Results Pending

The Ventura County Medical Examiner is conducting autopsies on both victims, including wound analysis, ballistic trajectory mapping, and toxicology testing — all of which may help reconstruct the final moments.

Meanwhile, several crucial steps are underway:

Matching the handgun found in the burned vehicle to bullet casings at the crime scene

Reviewing phone records, message histories, and digital footprints of all three family members

Analyzing surveillance footage from multiple homes and businesses

Interviewing relatives, coworkers, and acquaintances

Authorities expect it may take weeks before a full motive becomes clear.

Community Reaction: Grief and Unanswered Questions

Simi Valley residents have expressed shock, disbelief, and sorrow over the deaths. A spontaneous memorial of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes has formed near the family’s driveway.

Statements from community members reflect heartbreak:

“They were the last people you’d expect this to happen to.”

“This feels unreal — like something from a movie, not our neighborhood.”

“To lose both parents — and to learn the son may have done it — is beyond tragic.”

Local officials have urged the public to allow investigators time to complete their work, emphasizing that speculation will not help uncover the truth.

A Family Torn Apart — and a Community Searching for Answers

The Cordes homicides are the latest in a troubling rise of family-violence cases across the United States, including incidents involving children killing parents or parents killing children.

While each situation is unique, experts point to several contributing factors: mental illness, unresolved conflicts, economic pressures, access to firearms, and breakdowns in family support networks.

For now, the Cordes family’s tragedy remains under investigation — but the damage left behind is permanent. Two respected community members are gone, their son is dead, and a neighborhood is left grappling with grief and questions that may never be fully answered.

Authorities say more updates will be released when final autopsy results, ballistic reports, and digital analyses are complete.