Son of Couple Slain in Simi Valley Identified as Primary Suspect

Introduction to the Case

Simi Valley police said Tuesday, Dec. 2, that they believe that Keith E. Cordes, the son of Eric Cordes and stepson of Vicki Cordes, killed the couple in their garage on Sunday.
“He’s our primary suspect,” Sgt. Rick Morton said.

Details of the Crime

Police had not previously conclusively linked the man found dead of a gunshot wound in a Chino park to the crime.
Police and the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday identified Keith E. Cordes, 37, as the man who shot himself at Ayala Park in Chino around 2:30 p.m. and was found lying next to his burning car. The discovery happened about two and a half hours after witnesses saw a man point a gun into an open garage and shoot Eric Cordes, a 63-year-old radiologist, and Vicki Cordes, 66.
Both suffered multiple gunshot wounds, Morton said.

Detectives identified a vehicle leaving the scene and spotted it on a license plate reading camera traveling on the 210 Freeway. The car, registered to Keith Cordes, left a freeway in Chino and was parked at Ayala Park. There, Simi Valley police said, Cordes set the car on fire and shot himself. His body was found outside the car and suffered from burns that made it difficult to identify him.

Investigation and Findings

Massiel De Guevara, a Chino Valley Fire District spokeswoman, declined to announce the cause of the fire, citing the ongoing criminal investigation.
A gun was found lying nearby.
“Detectives believe the firearm recovered from Keith’s suicide is the same weapon used in the homicides,” Simi Valley police said.
Detectives are still assembling a narrative surrounding the slayings.

Background of the Suspect

Although the coroner lists Keith Cordes as a resident of Simi Valley, Morton said Cordes lived in Kentucky. Detectives do not know yet how long before the shooting Cordes arrived in California. Relatives have not been able to provide a motive, Morton said.

Conclusion

The case of the son of a couple slain in Simi Valley is a tragic and complex one, with many questions still unanswered. As the investigation continues, it is hoped that more information will come to light, providing clarity on the events leading up to the tragic deaths of Eric and Vicki Cordes.

FAQs

• Q: Who is the primary suspect in the Simi Valley shooting?
  A: Keith E. Cordes, the son of Eric Cordes and stepson of Vicki Cordes, is the primary suspect.
• Q: How did the suspect die?
  A: Keith E. Cordes shot himself at Ayala Park in Chino.
• Q: Were the victims related to the suspect?
  A: Yes, Eric Cordes was the father of Keith E. Cordes, and Vicki Cordes was his stepmother.
• Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
  A: Detectives are still assembling a narrative surrounding the slayings and have not yet determined the motive.