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Harrowing footage shows man accused of decapitating parents and dog singing Tina Turner after being shot by police

Home> News> Crime

Published 08:48 27 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Harrowing footage shows man accused of decapitating parents and dog singing Tina Turner after being shot by police

Joseph Gerdvil allegedly murdered his parents and their dog

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

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Warning: This article contains content some readers may find distressing

Newly released bodycam footage reveals the chilling moment a man accused of murder broke into song after being shot by police.

On July 9, 77-year-old Ronald Walter Gerdvil and 79-year-old Antoinette Gerdvil were found dead and decapitated in their home in San Juan Capistrano, California, alongside their dog.

The authorities were alerted to the situation after a relative of the couple called police and said that they'd received a disturbing text message from their cousin Joseph - Ronald and Antoinette's son - which included photos of his bloodied mother.

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According to his cousin, Joseph had a history of mental health issues and had been violent in the past.

Elsewhere, a maintenance worked called 911 to report that they were chased by a bloodied man with a fork.

Joseph then proceeded to drive off in the maintenance worker's golf cart.

When police arrived at Ronald and Antoinette's home, they were met with a very gruesome scene, with bodycam footage showing an officer telling dispatchers over the radio that 'there's a head on the counter'.

Joseph returned soon after and went up to a Sheriff’s Department community service officer as she sat in her vehicle, Los Angeles Times reports.

The assailant was seen with bloodied clothing. (OC Sheriff/YouTube)
The assailant was seen with bloodied clothing. (OC Sheriff/YouTube)

The 41-year-old then threw a shovel at the car and drove off in the cart.

Joseph went on to park up the golf cart on the sidewalk and, wearing blood-soaked clothing, approached an officer while carrying a metal object.

He was ordered to 'get on the ground' by police but when he ignored their requests Joseph was shot five times.

As officers rolled him onto his stomach to put his hands in cuffs, Joseph requested that they 'finish [him] off'.

"Put one in my head please. I beg you," he continued to say in the chilling bodycam footage.

While police were giving him some much-needed medical attention, Joseph began singing a line of Tina Turner's hit song 'What's Love Got to Do with It'.

Antoinette and Ronald Gerdvil were found to have been decapitated in their home. (ABC 7 Chicago)
Antoinette and Ronald Gerdvil were found to have been decapitated in their home. (ABC 7 Chicago)

Also singing a Stevie Wonder line, Joseph sang: "I just called to say I love you."

The 41-year-old has since been booked on suspicion of two counts of homicide and, as of yesterday (August 26), he remains in hospital.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the matter and have confirmed that no officers were injured in the altercation with the assailant.

A motive for Joseph's alleged crimes remains unclear, but a neighbor has since spoken out and claimed that he saw him fighting with his father the day before he died.

UNILAD have approached Orange County Sheriff’s Department for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Orange County Sheriff Office

Topics: Crime, News, US News, California, Police

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

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@niamhshackleton

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