ST5. Tarzan star Ron Ely’s tragic final years after son stabbed wife Valerie to death

Ron Ely is best known for his iconic portrayal of Tarzan on television during the 1960s, as well as his long-running career as an actor and game-show host. Beyond his screen success, Ely’s personal life was marked by a devastating tragedy in 2019 that brought renewed public attention to his family.

Early Career and Fame

Ron Ely was born Ronald Pierce Ely on June 21, 1938, in Hereford, Texas. He became widely known for playing Tarzan in the NBC television series that aired from 1966 to 1968. Unlike many adaptations that used stunt doubles, Ely famously performed many of his own stunts, which contributed to the show’s popularity and his reputation for physicality on screen (Source: IMDb).

Following the success of Tarzan, Ely took on a variety of roles in television and film, including portraying Doc Savage in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975). He also hosted the Miss America pageant in 1980 and 1981 (Source: Miss America Organization).

Personal Life and Family

Ron Ely married Valerie Lundeen in 1984. Valerie Lundeen Ely was a former beauty queen who won the Miss Florida USA title. The couple had three children together. Public photos and news coverage over the years documented their family attending events and charity benefits.

They became grandparents for the first time in 2018 when their daughter Kaitland gave birth to her first child (Source: People Magazine).

The 2019 Incident: A Verified Timeline

On October 15, 2019, Valerie Lundeen Ely died in the couple’s Santa Barbara County home. According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched in response to a 911 call. Upon arrival, they found Valerie Lundeen Ely deceased inside the residence with multiple stab wounds (Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office press release, October 2019).

Deputies identified the suspect as Cameron Ely, the couple’s 30-year-old son. After an on-scene search, deputies encountered Cameron Ely outside the home. The sheriff’s office reported that he posed a threat, leading four deputies to fire their service weapons. Cameron Ely died at the scene (Source: Associated Press).

Official Law Enforcement Statement

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office issued the following summary in its public release:

• Date of Incident: October 15, 2019

• Location: Hope Ranch neighborhood, Santa Barbara County

• Victim: Valerie Lundeen Ely, age 62

• Suspect: Cameron Ely, age 30

• Deputy-Involved Shooting: Four deputies discharged their weapons after deeming the suspect a threat.

No deputies were injured in the encounter. The incident was subject to multiple investigations, including criminal, coroner’s, and administrative reviews, which is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings in California (Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office; California Department of Justice guidelines).

Investigations and Legal Proceedings

Following the incident, autopsies were conducted on both Valerie Lundeen Ely and Cameron Ely. These were overseen by the Santa Barbara County Coroner’s Office. Publicly available coroner’s reports confirmed that Valerie died from multiple stab wounds.

In October 2020, Ron Ely filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. According to court documents reviewed by People and the Los Angeles Times, the lawsuit alleged that Cameron Ely was attempting to surrender when deputies fired at him. The suit claimed that law enforcement used excessive force in violation of Cameron’s constitutional rights (Source: People Magazine, Los Angeles Times).

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, in response to media inquiries about the lawsuit, stated that its deputies acted in accordance with training and policy given the perceived threat, but did not comment further due to pending litigation (Source: Los Angeles Times).

The case drew significant media attention because it involved both the death of Ron Ely’s wife and the subsequent shooting of their son in a single night, underscoring the complexity of domestic violence responses and mental health crises within families.

Broader Context: Law Enforcement and Use-of-Force Policies

California has strict guidelines for investigating officer-involved shootings. The state mandates that local agencies conduct criminal and administrative investigations, and in certain circumstances, the California Department of Justice can become involved if there are questions about compliance with use-of-force laws (Source: California Department of Justice).

Cases such as the Ely family tragedy often spark wider public debate about how law enforcement responds to situations involving family violence and mental health crises, though the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has maintained that its deputies acted to ensure safety during a dangerous encounter.

Ron Ely’s Life Since the Incident

Following the deaths of his wife and son, Ron Ely has kept a relatively low public profile. Media coverage has noted that he was present at the scene on the night of the incident but was uninjured. He continues to live in California.

Reports about his lawsuit indicate that he has been pursuing accountability through the courts while also dealing with profound personal loss. Details of the lawsuit remain part of the public record but have not concluded as of the most recent reporting available.

Remembering Valerie Lundeen Ely

Valerie Lundeen Ely was described in media profiles as a devoted mother and grandmother, who had previously earned the Miss Florida USA title. Her death at age 62 was widely covered in both local California news outlets and national media, including CNN and NBC News, highlighting the impact of the tragedy on the community.

About Ron Ely’s Legacy

Despite the personal tragedy, Ron Ely remains an enduring figure in American television history. His work on Tarzan continues to be remembered for its adventurous spirit and unique practical stunt work. Fans continue to share memories of his performances on classic TV channels and online forums (Source: IMDb, Turner Classic Movies).

Sources

• Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Official Press Release (October 2019)

• Associated Press coverage (October 2019)

• People Magazine reporting on the wrongful death lawsuit (2020)

• Los Angeles Times coverage of legal proceedings (2020–2021)

• Miss America Organization archives (1980–1981 hosting records)

• IMDb (Ron Ely filmography and biography)

• California Department of Justice Use-of-Force Investigation Guidelines