A tragic incident unfolded in Simi Valley, California, on Sunday, November 30, 2025, as a radiologist and his wife were shot and killed in their home in what authorities have identified as a family murder-suicide perpetrated by the doctor’s son.
Dr. Eric Cordes, aged 63, and his spouse, Vicki Cordes, aged 66, were discovered with multiple gunshot wounds in the open garage of their residence located in the 500 block of Hawks Bill Place. The incident occurred around noon, and both victims were transported to a trauma center, where they succumbed to their injuries. The Simi Valley Police Department received numerous 911 calls reporting gunfire in the Wood Ranch neighborhood, an area recognized for its single-family homes in the southwestern part of the city.
Witnesses informed investigators that the suspect, described as a white male in his 30s, approached the open garage and began shooting. He subsequently fled the scene in a black sedan with out-of-state license plates. Police later determined that the vehicle was a black Honda Civic registered to 37-year-old Keith Cordes, the son of Eric Cordes and stepson of Vicki Cordes. Keith Cordes resided in Kentucky.
After the shooting, detectives employed FLOCK camera systems and license plate readers to track the suspect vehicle’s path. The cameras recorded Keith Cordes’ car leaving Simi Valley and moving south on the 210 Freeway. The vehicle was eventually located in Chino, California, parked near Ayala Park.
Authorities in Chino found that Keith Cordes had set his car ablaze before fatally shooting himself. The fire resulted in severe burns that initially hindered the identification of the body. On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the San Bernardino County Medical Examiner confirmed that Keith Cordes died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators suspect that the gun recovered from Keith Cordes’ suicide is the same weapon used in the homicides of Eric and Vicki Cordes, although further forensic tests are pending. Police continue to examine the circumstances and motive behind the incident.
Dr. Eric Cordes had a distinguished career spanning nearly 30 years as a board-certified radiologist. He served the community throughout his professional life, working with both Adventist Health Simi Valley and Focus Medical Imaging. His medical training included graduating from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and completing a residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Adventist Health Simi Valley released a statement expressing its sorrow 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,” the hospital stated. “Dr. Cordes was a highly respected, board-certified radiologist and beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years.”
Focus Medical Imaging, where Dr. Cordes also practiced, issued a statement honoring their colleague. “Dr. Eric Cordes was a brilliant, hard-working doctor and a respected colleague. He served the Simi Valley community and surrounding areas throughout his entire 30-plus-year career,” the radiology clinic said. The medical group noted that his passing would leave a significant void that would take time to fill.
The killings have left the Wood Ranch community in shock. Neighbors remembered the couple as integral parts of their neighborhood. Dr. Cordes was well-regarded in the community for his role in radiology, while Vicki Cordes worked as a fitness instructor. Police confirmed receiving accounts from neighbors about the events of the shooting day. Still, investigators emphasized that these statements have not yet been fully verified as they continue to review witness accounts, physical evidence, and surveillance footage.
The incident represents a significant loss for both the medical community and the Simi Valley neighborhood where the couple resided. Dr. Cordes’ long-standing service to the area made him a familiar figure among local residents and healthcare professionals. His dedication to staying in the same community throughout his career made him a committed physician focused on providing ongoing care for his patients.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities work to reconstruct the events leading to the Sunday afternoon shooting. The deployment of advanced camera technology proved essential in tracking the suspect’s movements from Simi Valley to Chino, illustrating how law enforcement increasingly relies on such systems to solve crimes and apprehend suspects crossing multiple jurisdictions.