Disturbing bodycam footage shows man accused of decapitating his parents and killing their dog singing Tina Turner songs after being shot

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By James Kay

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Bodycam footage shows a man accused of decapitating his parents and their dog being shot multiple times, but continuing to sing afterwards.

The disturbing event unfolded on July 9 when Orange County sheriff’s deputies responded to a gruesome murder scene at the San Juan Mobile Estates in San Juan Capistrano.

Inside a mobile home, deputies discovered the headless bodies of Ronald Gerdvil, 77, and Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, along with their mutilated dog, according to police reports, cited by the New York Post.


One of the heads was found displayed on a counter, as reported by CBS News.

Authorities quickly identified the suspect as 41-year-old Joseph Gerdvil, the couple's son. He was spotted shortly after the discovery, allegedly following an attack on a maintenance worker in the area.

When officers approached him, Gerdvil was reportedly covered in blood, speaking incoherently, and wielding a heavy shovel, which he then threw at the deputies.

Despite commands to stand down, Gerdvil allegedly charged at the officers, prompting one deputy to fire five shots from close range.

The initial three shots appeared to have little effect, but Gerdvil eventually fell to the ground after the fourth shot, with blood flowing from his wounds.

Screenshot 2024-08-26 at 16.37.56.jpgThe bodycam footage shows Gerdvil get shot multiple times. Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department

"Our dispatchers updated them that there was a bloody male chasing a maintenance worker in that same neighborhood," Orange County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Matthew Parrish said.

"The deputies immediately started looking for that male. A short time later that person was located near Calle Arroyo and a bike trail, shortly after that person was located an officer-involved shooting occurred."

As officers began to administer first aid, Gerdvil’s behavior became increasingly erratic. “I love you … I’m sorry you’re gonna have to die,” he reportedly said at one point.

output-onlinetools (2).pngGerdvil began singing after he had been shot multiple times. Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department

Moments later, he pleaded with officers, saying: “Just finish me off. Put one in my head, please. I beg of you.”

Amid the chaos, Gerdvil started singing love songs, including Tina Turner’s 'What’s Love Got to Do With It' and Stevie Wonder’s 'I Just Called to Say I Love You,' both popular hits from 1984.

Gerdvil was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was stabilized.

He now faces two counts of homicide for the brutal killings of his parents.

The bodycam footage can be viewed here. Viewer discretion is advised.

Featured image credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department

Disturbing bodycam footage shows man accused of decapitating his parents and killing their dog singing Tina Turner songs after being shot

vt-author-image

By James Kay

Article saved!Article saved!

Bodycam footage shows a man accused of decapitating his parents and their dog being shot multiple times, but continuing to sing afterwards.

The disturbing event unfolded on July 9 when Orange County sheriff’s deputies responded to a gruesome murder scene at the San Juan Mobile Estates in San Juan Capistrano.

Inside a mobile home, deputies discovered the headless bodies of Ronald Gerdvil, 77, and Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, along with their mutilated dog, according to police reports, cited by the New York Post.


One of the heads was found displayed on a counter, as reported by CBS News.

Authorities quickly identified the suspect as 41-year-old Joseph Gerdvil, the couple's son. He was spotted shortly after the discovery, allegedly following an attack on a maintenance worker in the area.

When officers approached him, Gerdvil was reportedly covered in blood, speaking incoherently, and wielding a heavy shovel, which he then threw at the deputies.

Despite commands to stand down, Gerdvil allegedly charged at the officers, prompting one deputy to fire five shots from close range.

The initial three shots appeared to have little effect, but Gerdvil eventually fell to the ground after the fourth shot, with blood flowing from his wounds.

Screenshot 2024-08-26 at 16.37.56.jpgThe bodycam footage shows Gerdvil get shot multiple times. Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department

"Our dispatchers updated them that there was a bloody male chasing a maintenance worker in that same neighborhood," Orange County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Matthew Parrish said.

"The deputies immediately started looking for that male. A short time later that person was located near Calle Arroyo and a bike trail, shortly after that person was located an officer-involved shooting occurred."

As officers began to administer first aid, Gerdvil’s behavior became increasingly erratic. “I love you … I’m sorry you’re gonna have to die,” he reportedly said at one point.

output-onlinetools (2).pngGerdvil began singing after he had been shot multiple times. Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department

Moments later, he pleaded with officers, saying: “Just finish me off. Put one in my head, please. I beg of you.”

Amid the chaos, Gerdvil started singing love songs, including Tina Turner’s 'What’s Love Got to Do With It' and Stevie Wonder’s 'I Just Called to Say I Love You,' both popular hits from 1984.

Gerdvil was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was stabilized.

He now faces two counts of homicide for the brutal killings of his parents.

The bodycam footage can be viewed here. Viewer discretion is advised.

Featured image credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department