Investigators released new details Monday in the fatal shooting of a married couple Sunday in their Simi Valley home. Although the suspect has not been identified, police say the burnt-out car – and the charred remains of a man who spends hours in Chino – appear to be linked to the murder.
Witnesses reported seeing the shooting from the home Sunday afternoon, according to Sim Valley Police Sgt. Rick morton. An unknown gunman was seen opening fire in the garage, where officers found the bodies of their victims in their 60s later identified as Eric and Vicki ropes.
“At that time, the black community of Honda was seen to flee the area,” said the Morton Times. “Between 2:30 and 3 p.m., we were able to find out that the car was in Chino’s area and it was found in full with the title next to it burned.”
Morton said investigators sent to the scene confirmed with law enforcement information that the vehicle “was, in fact, related to the double homicide here in Simi Valley.” The man found next to the burning car was badly burned, he said, and the incident is being investigated as a suicide.
Police were unable to immediately identify the person due to the severity of the burns, but the San Bernardino County Coroner is set to perform an autopsy Tuesday. Investigators also found a handgun near the car and are conducting ballistics tests to confirm it was the weapon used in the murder.
“I don’t know at this point where it was,” Morton said, “and I won’t know if the handgun is related to our crime scene until the investigation is complete.”
Although the motive remains unknown, Morton said investigators believe there was no ongoing threat to the public “due to the nature of the matter that was located in Chino.”
The male victim, Eric Cords, was a longtime radiologist at Adventist Health Simi Valley. Hospital leaders released a statement on Monday.
“Adventist Health Simi Valley Community is deeply saddened by the tragic death of our longtime colleague, Dr. Eric Cormes, and his wife, Vicki,” said the hospital’s wife. “Dr. Wires was a respected, highly certified, beloved physician who served this community with compassion and excellence for nearly 30 years.
Morton said the attack was not gang-related or the result of domestic violence, and that the residents were inside the home when the shooting occurred. Police found no history of domestic calls or restraining orders involving the couple.
Instead, detectives believe that the Sim Valley victims were “targeted” based on leads and leads about the couple and the car at the scene. Morton refused to confirm the speculation that the suspect was a family member.
The killings took place in a quiet residential community in Southwest Simi Valley. Morton noted that the city averages about one year a year. The community is “very shocked,” she said.
“In Simi Valley, in general, things like this don’t happen,” Morton said.
Sim Valley Police said the investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Chino Police Department.
