Wife of Ron Ely, star of 1960s hit series Tarzan, stabbed to death by son

The wife of American actor Ron Ely, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was stabbed to death inside the couple’s Californian home earlier this week, with police confirming that the suspect is believed to be their 30-year-old son Cameron Ely.

Officers were called to the address in the affluent suburb of Hope Ranch in Santa Barbara at around 8.15pm on Tuesday, having received a 911 call. Upon arriving at the scene they discovered the body of 62-year-old Valerie, who had passed away as a result of multiple stab wounds.

“The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at the home of actor Ron Ely,” a force spokesperson said in a statement. “Upon arrival, deputies contacted Ron Ely and discovered his wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, 62, deceased with multiple stab wounds inside the home.”

While on scene, officers identified the suspect to be Cameron and began an extensive search to track him down. They located the suspect outside of the property and deemed him to be a threat before fatally shooting him.

“Deputies searched the residence and surrounding area for Cameron Ely,” the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “During the search, the suspect was located outside the home. “He posed a threat and in response four deputies fired their service weapons at the suspect, fatally wounding him. No deputies were injured during the confrontation with the suspect.”

Police confirmed the details of the tragic incident on Wednesday evening (local time), confirming the identity of the victim and suspect. The Sheriff’s Office also appeared to confirm that the Tarzan star is safe following the stabbing.

In an earlier statement they said that a disabled elderly man, who lived at the address, had been located inside the house and taken to hospital to undergo an evaluation.

A spokesperson added: “The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is conducting criminal, coroner’s, and administrative investigations of this incident. Autopsies of both the victim and the suspect are pending.”

Ely shot to fame in the 1960s as the star of 1966 television series Tarzan, which ran until 1968. He also starred in 1975 science fiction flick Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze in which he played the leading role.

The 81-year-old veteran actor, who also had roles in Fantasy Island and the Wonder Woman TV series, married former Miss Florida Valerie, who was his second wife, in 1984 and the couple went on to have three children together, daughters Kirsten and Kaitland, and son Cameron.

Ron is yet to make any statement about Tuesday’s tragic incident.