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EXCLUSIVE Maniac accused of decapitating his own parents shocks court as he debuts dramatic transformation
A man accused of decapitating his parents looked unrecognizable in court on Friday as he was pictured with a walker, a fuller frame and a full dark beard.
Joseph Brandon Gerdvil, 41, is accused of brutally murdering his parents, Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, and Ronald Gerdvil, 77; deaths which horrified their community of San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California.
He appeared at the Superior Court of Orange County for a short pre-trial hearing in a bright green shirt, chains around his waist, and a walker to assist him after police shot him.
Gerdvil's appearance is a stark contrast from the selfies he would share on social media before the gruesome attacks.
The unimaginable murders occurred on the morning of July 9, when deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic assault call and found Gerdvil's parents and their dog mutilated and decapitated.
Gerdvil was caught on police body camera footage only minutes later, covered in blood and chasing a maintenance worker nearby.
Deputies responded and found the suspected killer driving a golf cart covered in blood. He was shot by police and transported to a local hospital before he was booked into jail for the double homicide.
The gruesome footage revealed Gerdvil walking to the officer, covered in blood.
Gerdvil was charged with double homicide in connection with his parents' gruesome murders last July
The police officer screamed at the suspect to 'get on the ground' as he yelled incoherently.
As he lay on the ground, the deputy directed him to get on his stomach and put his arms out.
Officers then arrived on the scene, detained, and handcuffed Gerdvil, who was heard telling police, 'I'm sorry you're going to have to die.'
While deputies inspected the suspect for his wounds, he told them, 'Just finish me off. Put one in my head. Put one in my head please. I beg of you.'
Gerdvil then began to sing Tina Turner's hit song, What's Love Got to Do with It as officers performed first aid.
The suspect was carrying a metal water meter when he charged at the officer. He was later reported to be stable but in serious condition at the hospital.
Gerdvil was living with his parents in a mobile home community before their gruesome deaths.
Authorities said they were tipped off to the deaths by a cousin, who allegedly received text messages depicting Gerdvil's mother covered in blood.
The cousin told dispatchers that Gerdvil suffered from mental health issues and had a history of violence.
One of the deputies who responded to the mobile home reported to a dispatcher that there was 'a head on the counter.'
Gerdvil was arraigned for two murder charges two days after the shocking sequence of events.
He entered a plea of not guilty in December and is due back in court for another pre-trial hearing on September 19.
