Joseph Gerdvil allegedly decapitated his parents and killed their dog in San Juan Capistrano

SANTA ANA Ca, (July 10, 2024): OC Sheriff investigators are releasing additional details about yesterday’s double homicide and deputy-involved shooting in the city of San Juan Capistrano.

The victims are identified as:

• Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, of San Juan Capistrano
• Ronald Walter Gerdvil, 77, of San Juan Capistrano

The suspect is identified as:

• Joseph Brandon Gerdvil, 41, of San Juan Capistrano

On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 7:36 am deputies were dispatched to a domestic assault near the 32000 block of Alipaz Street in the City of San Juan Capistrano. Minutes later, deputies arrived to the dispatched address and located a horrific scene which included the decapitated and mutilated bodies of Ronald and Antoinette Gerdvil, as well as a decapitated dog belonging to the married couple.

At 7:42 am, Sheriff’s Dispatch notified deputies on scene that a bloody male was chasing a maintenance worker in the same community. Soon thereafter, Sheriff’s Dispatch relayed to deputies that the bloody male stole the maintenance worker’s golf cart and left the area in an unknown direction.

At 7:51 am, a Sheriff’s Community Services Officer located the bloody male driving the golf cart on Calle Arroyo near a bike trail exit.

At 7:52 am, a Sheriff’s Deputy, who was at the initial scene of the double homicide, arrived to the area of Calle Arroyo near the bike trail and contacted the suspect. A deputy-involved shooting occurred.

Sheriff’s personnel rendered aid to the suspect until the Orange County Fire Authority arrived and was able to transport him to a local hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.

During the investigation that followed, investigators learned the two victims were the mother and father of the suspect.

As soon as Joseph Gerdvil is medically cleared for booking, he will be transported to the Orange County Sheriff’s jail where he will be booked for two counts of CPC 187(a) – Homicide. Additional charges and enhancements will likely be added before the conclusion of this investigation.

Anyone with information related to the homicide is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Department’s non-emergency line at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers by visiting ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers or by calling 855-847-6227. Additionally, anyone with information about the deputy involved shooting is encouraged to call the Orange County District Attorney’s Office at 714-834-3600.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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