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Former Miss Florida USA, 'Tarzan' actor's wife, killed in California home

Actor Ron Ely's wife, Valerie Lundeen, died.
Credit: AP
FILE - This Dec. 28, 1987 file photo shows former “Tarzan” actor Ron Ely during an interview in Los Angeles. A woman was killed at Ely's Southern California home and sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a suspect on the property, authorities said Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. A Santa Barbara County sheriff’s office statement does not identify any of those involved but notes that a disabled elderly man living at the home was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The deaths occurred Tuesday night in Hope Ranch, a suburb of luxury homes outside Santa Barbara. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

CALIFORNIA, USA — Authorities say "Tarzan" actor Ron Ely's wife -- a former Miss Florida USA -- was stabbed to death in their Southern California home by the couple's son, who police subsequently shot to death.

A Santa Barbara County sheriff's statement Wednesday said deputies found 62-year-old Valerie Lundeen Ely dead with multiple stab wounds inside the house on Tuesday night.

The statement says deputies identified the killer as the couple's son, 30-year-old Cameron Ely, who was found outside the house after a search.

Authorities say after an unspecified threat, four deputies fired on Cameron Ely and he was killed.

There was no report of the 81-year-old Ron Ely being injured. An earlier sheriff's statements said an elderly man from the home was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Ron Ely starred in a "Tarzan" TV series on NBC from 1966 to 1968. He and his wife, Lundeen have been married for 35 years. They have three kids together.

Lundeen represented Miami and won Miss Florida in 1981. She later competed in the Miss USA beauty pageant.

RELATED: Woman found dead at home of 'Tarzan' star Ron Ely; police kill suspect

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