A much-loved spin class instructor and her physician husband were brutally shot and killed inside the garage of their upscale California home, in a shocking incident that has left their peaceful community reeling.
A Targeted Attack in a Quiet Cul-de-Sac
Vicki Schiller, 66, and Eric Cordes, 63, were discovered with multiple gunshot wounds around noon on Sunday. The attack occurred at their Wood Ranch home in Simi Valley, a location roughly 40 minutes from Santa Clarita. Police reported that an unidentified male suspect opened fire on the couple before speeding away from the scene.
Several neighbours rushed to assist after hearing the gunfire. Despite their efforts and the couple being rushed to a local hospital, both Vicki and Eric succumbed to their injuries. One neighbour, Mike Hylton, recounted the chaotic moments, stating his son heard the shots and witnessed a black Honda Civic fleeing the area at high speed.
A Chilling Discovery 70 Miles Away
In a grim twist to the investigation, a body was discovered inside a burning sedan approximately 70 miles from the murder scene, at Ayala Park in Chino. Simi Valley Police Sgt. Rick Morton confirmed on Monday that a gun was recovered from this secondary location.
Law enforcement databases linked the charred vehicle directly to the double homicide in Simi Valley. 'We were able to determine through law enforcement databases that that vehicle was actually in fact linked to our double homicide here in Simi Valley,' Sgt. Morton stated. The severe fire damage has complicated the identification process of the deceased individual found in the car.
Investigating a Possible Family Link
Authorities are actively exploring a potential familial connection to the crime. A neighbour reported seeing a white male at the home around the time of the shooting, believed to be the couple's stepson. Police have confirmed this is a significant line of enquiry.
'That is one of the leads we're looking into, but we are still trying to confirm if that is the case,' Sgt. Morton said, emphasising the belief that the suspect knew the victims. Police have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public, indicating the attack was targeted.
The local community has been plunged into mourning. Vicki Schiller, a popular fitness instructor who had recently become a grandmother, was remembered in heartfelt social media tributes. Her husband, Dr. Eric Cordes, was a respected physician who had served the Adventist Health Simi Valley community for nearly three decades, a fact noted in a poignant statement from his employer.
The motive remains unclear as detectives piece together the tragic final movements of the suspect, who is believed to have driven from the murder scene to the distant park before setting the car alight. The Simi Valley Police Department continues its investigation into this rare and devastating double homicide.
