Sharon Gordon was strangled and her husband’s death was “consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound”, Orange police Lt. Fred Lopez said.
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The couple were found in the Orange, California home Gordon (Robby) had grown up in and left to this father and stepmother when he moved to North Carolina for his NASCAR career.
Robby Gordon spoke to media members on Thursday, his voice choked with emotion, to thank friends and fans for their support, to express the impact of the family tragedy and to say he would have more to disclose after an autopsy was complete.
There were no other guns found in the home, while Lopez did not say whether or not the rifle was involved in the deaths.
His off-road racing team will be in Orange County this weekend. Gordon said his family is in shock and grieving the loss of his father and stepmother, who were found dead inside their Southern California home. That friend apparently found the bodies and called 911 to the residence in Orange County, Calif., about 30 miles outside Los Angeles. Police have not released their identities or details about their relationship.
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.
A police spokesman said the cause of the deaths have not been determined.
Lopez said earlier Thursday that a firearm was recovered from the residence. Hunter-Reay would appear as scheduled in a weekend race in Sonoma County, Gordon said. The story surrounding the incident is still incomplete, but Gordon is maintaining “the truth will come out”.
Famed racer Dale Earnhardt, Jr., wished the Gordon family his prayers saying, “Hope they find strength and support”, he said.
One of Robert Gordon’s daughters, Beccy Hunter-Reay, is married to IndyCar Series driver Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Johnson recalled a amusing story of riding with Bob Gordon in the Baja 500 race over 20 years ago.
The NASCAR community sent their condolences to the Gordon family. His best finish was fourth in 1999, losing when he ran out of fuel in the closing laps. He started the Indianapolis 500 on 10 occasions, competed in the NASCAR circuit for over 20 years and also participated in off-road racing events.
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The racer told reporters he and his three sisters, one of which gave birth to Robert’s grandson on Wednesday, were devastated.
