As police in Simi Valley investigated the killings of a husband and wife, officials in San Bernardino County Monday looked into possible suicide and its “likely” connection to the Ventura County case.
Chino police said a person was found dead at around 2:31 p.m. Sunday at a parking lot in the area of Central and Edison avenues.
Officers had been initially dispatched on a call about a car fire. But once they arrived, they found a deceased person lying next to a engulfed black Honda civic.
The person was found burned, and a gun was also recovered from the scene, Sgt. Rick Morton of the Simi Valley PD said during a live news conference Monday.
Simi Valley police said they are waiting for confirmation from the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office on the identity and cause of death.
Separately, the Chino Police Department explained it had been contacted by Simi Valley police about the double homicide case, in which the married couple were fatally shot inside their home on Hawks Bill Place near Wood Ranch Parkway.
“Chino Police Department personnel coordinated with the Simi Valley PD Public Information Officer, Detective Sergeant Rick Morton, who confirmed they were investigating the double homicide and sent detectives to Chino to determine whether the two incidents were related,” Chino police said in a statement Monday. “Based on preliminary information, investigators believe the incidents are likely connected.”
The motive for the shooting was still unclear. Police said they do not believe there’s a threat to the public as the double shooting appears to be an isolated incident.
Sgt. Morton said the autopsy for the deceased couple was underway Monday while the coroner’s examination into the body found in Chino was scheduled for Tuesday.
The Simi Valley double shooting was reported at around 12 noon on Sunday, police said. When officers found the victims in their home garage, the couple had multiple gunshot wounds. They were taken to a hospital but died from injuries.
Police described the victims as a woman and a man in their 60s. An employer identified the married couple as Dr. Eric Cordes and his wife, Vicki.
“The Adventist Health Simi Valley community is heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our longtime colleague, Dr. Eric Cordes, and his wife, Vicki. 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,” wrote Adventist Health Simi Valley in a statement to NBCLA.
Neighbors told police they witnessed a man get out of a vehicle and fire several rounds.
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