Dad, stepmom of ex-NASCAR racer Robby Gordon dead in apparent murder-suicide
ORANGE, Calif. – The father and stepmother of former NASCAR racer Robby Gordon have been found dead in their California home in an apparent murder-suicide, reports CBS LA.
"Baja" Bob, dad of race car driver Robby Gordon, dead in possible murder/suicide. (Fmr Baja 1000 winner) @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/Lky42YFizd
— JASMINE VIEL (@jasmineviel) September 15, 2016
Authorities tell the Orange County Register that officers responding to a call in Orange Park Acres, southeast of Los Angeles, found the bodies of a 68-year-old man and 57-year-old woman in a home around 5 p.m Wednesday. The coroner’s office identified the victims as Robert and Sharon Gordon, and CBS LA confirms they were the father and stepmother of Robby Gordon.
A police spokesman says the causes of the death have not been determined, but CBS LA reports investigators believe the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide. An undisclosed weapon was also discovered.
Police do not believe a suspect is at large.
The younger Gordon currently races in an off-road series he created in 2013 called Speed Energy Formula Off-Road, following the path of his father. Known as “Baja Bob,” Robert Gordon was also an accomplished off-road racer.
Neighbor Jill Dombroske said the Gordons were longtime residents of the quiet neighborhood where large homes sit on expansive hillside properties and many residents own horses. Residents were out Thursday morning walking and riding horses on dirt trails that run along the winding hillside roads in the city about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles
“I feel very sad,” she said. “Everyone here will be very sad.”
Another neighbor, Greg Saunders, said everyone in the area knew the family. He said Robert Gordon had a horse feed business and would regularly drop hay off at neighbors’ homes.
“He’s a very nice, down to earth guy. He has his truck and he delivers personally,” Saunders said.
Calls to representatives for Robby Gordon were not immediately returned Thursday.
Gordon, 47, has raced on numerous racing circuits, from NASCAR to IndyCar to Champ Car and IROC.
Known for his aggressive style, he earned three wins in parts of 19 seasons in what is now the NASCAR Sprint Cup. He was a full-time driver early last decade and finished a career-high 16th in the points standings in 2003 driving for Richard Childress Racing. Gordon last raced in the Sprint Cup in 2012.
Gordon is one of only four drivers, joining John Andretti, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch, to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. He nearly won the 1999 Indy 500 before running out of fuel in the closing laps.
Gordon’s off-road racing team was scheduled to be in Orange County this weekend.
Gordon’s sister, Beccy, is married to 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. The driver tweeted Wednesday that his wife had given birth to a boy.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story identified Robert and Sharon Gordon as Robby Gordon’s parents. They were Robby Gordon’s father and stepmother.