Son, 41, arrested after elderly couple, aged 79 and 77, are found decapitated along with their dog

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

A “bloody” California man who was reportedly chasing a maintenance worker around a Southern California neighborhood has been arrested after an elderly couple and their dog were found decapitated at their home nearby.

Joseph Gerdvil, 41, was arrested on July 9 and faces two counts of homicide in the murders of Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, and her husband Ronald Gerdvil, 77, whose mutilated bodies were found in a gruesome scene at their home in San Juan Capistrano, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect was identified as the victims’ son, according to KTLA.

Deputies responded to the couple’s residence at a mobile home park on Alipaz Street around 7:30 a.m. July 9 on reports of a “domestic incident,” officials said.

Police investigators described the scene of the killings as “horrific” as both victims were mutilated, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Minutes later, they received reports of a “bloody man” chasing a maintenance worker from the same San Juan Mobile Estates community.

Gerdvil had reportedly stolen the maintenance worker’s golf cart and was attempting to flee the area. He was caught a short time later near a bike trail when a deputy fired his gun, hitting Gerdvil.

The suspect was transported to the hospital, where he is in stable condition, according to the sheriff’s news release. Once Gerdvil is medically cleared, he will be booked on two counts of homicide, officials said.

A motive for the killings has not been released. The police officer’s shooting of the suspect also remains under investigation.