Valerie Lundeen was a former pagent queen, who won the title of Miss Florida USA in 1981. She married Tarzan actor Ron Ely in 1984 and the pair had three children.

On October 15, 2019, police were called to the family home in Hope Ranch, California for a "family disturbance." Upon police entering the home, Lundeen's body was discovered, having been stabbed to death by her son Cameron. The police encountered Cameron on the property and fatally shot him after he "posed a threat."