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

Actor Ron Ely, who is best known for being the star of the 1960s Tarzan TV series, has died at the age of 86.

His final years were shrouded in tragedy, and his death comes five years after his second wife, Valerie Lundeen Ely, was killed in tragic circumstances at the couple’s home in California.

The former flight attendant was fatally stabbed by their son, Cameron Ely, in the family’s home in Santa Barbara, at the age of 62.

Cameron was fatally shot at the scene by authorities with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Ron, who retired from acting in 2001 (apart from a brief appearance in TV movie Expecting Amish in 2014), and his wife Valerie were married for 35 years before her death.

The couple had three children together, Kirsten, Kaitland, and Cameron.

Who was Ron Ely’s wife Valerie Lundeen?

Ron Ely’s wife was Valerie Lundeen, a devoted mother who once worked as a flight attendant and won Miss Airline International, a beauty pageant for flight attendants, in 1980.

A year later, Valerie was crowned Miss FloridaUSA in a beauty pageant in 1981, and she would later compete for the title of Miss USA.

Valerie Lundeen sat on Ron Ely's lap at the Third Annual Cathy's Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic.

Her future husband, Ron, also had associations with the world of pageants, having hosted the Miss America competition for two years in a row in 1980 and 1981.

Ron and Valerie got married in 1984 and had three children. The couple became grandparents for the first time in 2018 when their daughter Kaitland gave birth to her first child, a little boy.

Valerie was 62 years old when she was killed.

Related Posts

How To Get Your Peace Lily To Flower More

When a peace lily refuses to bloom, it is rarely a judgment on your care and more often a quiet signal about its environment. Light, watering rhythm,…

20 Minutes ago in North Carolina, Scotty McCreery was confirmed as…See more

The confirmation of Scotty McCreery’s new role in North Carolina represents more than a professional milestone; it reflects the deep, ongoing bond between an artist and the…

When payment could occur

When evaluating this proposal, it is important to separate the emotional appeal from the underlying mechanics. Tariffs are taxes on imports, which are typically paid by importers…

7 Acres – 7-Bedroom Home – Barn

This seven-acre estate offers a rare combination of space, comfort, and flexibility, making it well-suited to a wide range of lifestyles. The main home’s generous layout supports…

How to Understand the Purpose Behind Those Public Restroom Door Gaps

If you’ve ever questioned why stall doors in public restrooms hover above the floor, you’re not alone. Instead of assuming it’s a design oversight, start by recognizing…

Why Your Shirt Buttons That Way: A Simple Guide to Fashion’s Hidden History

Most people slip on a button-down shirt without giving much thought to its design, yet clothing can reveal more about cultural history than we realize. Noticing whether…