Shocking details revealed regarding murder and police shooting death at home of ‘Tarzan’ Ron Ely

In the early morning hours of October 16 at 1:07 a.m., Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies tweeted that they were on the scene of a possible homicide at the Hope Ranch,  California, home of Ron Ely, the 81-year-old actor best known as TV’s “Tarzan” in the 1960s.

When police arrived on the scene, they found an elderly woman, dead inside the home.  Police also located and shot to death a man on the scene they suspected of murdering the woman.

Lt. Erik Raney, spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, said that a call for help regarding a domestic disturbance came from Ely’s home that fateful night.  Raney also said that when deputies arrived at Ely’s residence located in the 4100 block of Mariposa Drive in Hope Ranch, they found “an elderly woman who had been stabbed to death.”

Deputies were searching the property when they came across their suspect who they said was hiding in the immediate area.  Police said that multiple deputies felt forced to fire upon the suspect – feeling that the suspect posed a threat when located, according to KEYT-TV in Santa Barbara.

What wasn’t revealed until last night, were the shocking details and identities of the woman who was stabbed to death, and the murder suspect that multiple officers felt necessary to fire upon.

Ron Ely’s son, Cameron Ely, 30, was the man responsible for murdering his mother, Valerie Lundeen Ely, 62, inside the Ely residence.  Police say that she had been stabbed multiple times.

Ron Ely identified his son as the man who stabbed Valerie Lundeen Ely to death. During a search of the area, deputies discovered the younger Ely just outside the residence where they confronted him. 

The sheriff’s office said Ely “posed a threat and in response 4 deputies fired their service weapons at the suspect, fatally wounding him.”

None of the deputies were injured. Those involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, the sheriff’s office said. ~ per CNN

Ely, was a familiar face on the small screen in the 60s and was not injured in the tragic incident that went down at his home.  In addition to portraying the lead role on TV’s “Tarzan” from 1966 – 1968, he was also frequently guest starring in shows like “The Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island.” 

For more on the macabre murder of Valerie Lundeen Ely at the hands of her son, Cameron, see the video accompanying this article.

~ Written by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter