Son ‘decapitates parents and dog before fleeing in stolen golf cart’

A man in the US is accused of decapitating his parents and their dog before fleeing covered in blood in a stolen golf cart.

The headless torsos of Antoinette and Ronald Gerdvil, 77 and 79, were found at their home alongside their dog in San Juan Capistrono, California, at 7.30am on Tuesday.

Their son, Joseph, 41, was spotted minutes later, covered in blood, chasing a maintenance worker through the trailer park where the family lived.

He is believed to have stolen the worker’s cart before fleeing the scene.

One neighbor, David Desmond said he saw Joseph fighting with his father the day before the murder.

He told Fox 11 how the younger Gerdvil was ‘in his face’ and ‘looked angry’ while confronting his father on Monday.

Another resident, Bob Demario, also claimed Joseph ‘had a drug issue.’

‘That’s why he lived there and they kept him there.’

Neighbour Victoria Alford said the elderly pair were a ‘very sweet couple’, adding: ‘And at that age to tragically be murdered by your own son is just tragic, period.’

Police found Joseph near a bike trail exit and shot him.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said he was detained at the scene until paramedics arrived to take him to a local hospital.

He remains in hospital where his condition was described as stable.

Authorities said Gerdvil will be charged with two counts of homicide when he’s medically cleared.

They added it’s likely he will face additional charges once the investigation is complete. 

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.