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Doctor and Wife Found Fatally Shot Outside Simi Valley Home; Possible Linked Suicide Under Investigation

Eric and Vicki Cordes were found shot in the driveway of their Simi Valley home around noon Sunday and later died at a hospital. Witnesses said the attack was quick and the shooter fled by car. Hours later, a burned vehicle and a body were located at Ruben S. Ayala Park in Chino, more than 60 miles away; investigators believe that person died by suicide and that the scenes may be linked. Police say the couple appeared to have been targeted and the investigation is ongoing.

A husband and wife, identified as Eric and Vicki Cordes, were found shot and critically injured in the driveway of their Simi Valley home around noon on Sunday and later died at a local hospital, authorities said.

Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses reported the attack unfolded quickly and said the suspect fled the scene by vehicle immediately afterward. Police have not released the identity of any suspect.

Eric Cordes was a board-certified radiologist who worked at Adventist Health Simi Valley. In a statement, the hospital said it was "heartbroken by the tragic deaths" and described Dr. Cordes as a "highly respected" and "beloved" physician.

Several hours after the shootings, investigators discovered a charred vehicle and a body at Ruben S. Ayala Park in Chino, more than 60 miles from Simi Valley. Officials believe the person in the burned car died by suicide and said the two scenes may be connected as the investigation continues.

"We do believe the victims were targeted," Sgt. Rick Morton of the Simi Valley Police Department said, noting that double homicides are rare in the city.

Detectives are continuing to follow leads and have asked anyone with information or surveillance footage from the area around the time of the incident to come forward. No further details have been released pending the ongoing investigation.

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