Calif. Couple and Their Chihuahua Are Found Decapitated in ‘Horrific’ Scene, Son Arrested After Chase

Southern California deputies shot a "bloody male" earlier this week, shortly after authorities founda couple dead in their home.

On Tuesday, July 9, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Department responded to a call about a domestic assault in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., at around 7:30 a.m. When they arrived at the scene a few minutes later, the sheriff's department said in a press release, they encountered a "horrific scene."

According to the department, the bodies of 77-year-old Ronald Gerdvil and Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, were found decapitated and mutilated in the home, and their dog was also found decapitated.

Just a few minutes later, a man who deputies called "bloody," was spotted chasing a maintenance worker in their San Juan Capistrano neighborhood, before allegedly stealing a golf cart and driving away from the area. Investigators believe that he was responsible for the death of the elderly couple.

A few minutes before 8 a.m., a deputy who was at the initial scene found the man driving the cart near a bike trail. After attempting to speak to him, the deputy shot him, and gave him first aid until responders from the Orange County Fire Authority arrived at the scene. He was arrested and transported to a local hospital, the sheriff's department said.

In a press release from the sheriff's department shared on Wednesday, July 10, investigators revealed that the man was 41-year-old Joseph Gerdvil, the son of the elderly couple. Deputies added that he is now in stable condition, and he will be transported to the Orange County Sheriff’s jail after being cleared medically.

Several -

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residents of the San Juan Capistrano where the Gerdvil family resided told local affiliate station FOX 11 as well as the Orange County Register that the news has been "horrifying."

"The lady that lived there walked her dog all of the time in the neighborhood," one of the community's residents Tammy Pavese told FOX, referring to Antoinette and her family.

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According to the community's park manager, Susan Hardwegg, Antoinette was an active part of the neighborhood and spoke with her neighbors often, chatting with them as she walked the dog, a Chihuahua named Teddy.

"I'm devastated," Hardwegg told the Register.

"They were a very sweet couple," another neighbor named Victoria Alford told FOX. "And at that age, to tragically be murdered by your own son is just tragic, period."

The Register also reported that a standard investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be conducted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Sheriff’s deputies in San Juan Capistrano wear body cameras and footage of the shooting is expected to be released, the outlet added.

The sheriff's department added that Gerdvil will be charged with two counts of homicide, and more charges are likely to be added as the investigation continues.

It's not immediately clear if the suspect has retained an attorney.

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