Officials have announced that a man has been charged with murder in relation to the mysterious killing of a top neurosurgeon more than a year after his death.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a press conference that Desmond Burks, 33 - who the victim allegedly had an "intimate relationship" with based on 4,000 text messages - was arrested and slammed with eight felonious charges in connection to Dr. Devon Hoover's, 53, murder . Worthy commended the work of law enforcement officials who worked "almost 24/7" on the case, which expanded multiple states and countries.
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The beloved medical professional was killed by two gun shots to the head, which was confirmed by the county coroners office. His corpse was found wrapped up in a carpet.
Burks charges include first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, larceny of over $20,000, using a computer to commit a crime, possession of a firearm by a felon and three counts of felony firearm second offense. He will be arraigned at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
Officials noted that Burks was also charged with second-degree murder in April in an unrelated case. The suspect was already in custody at the Wayne County Jail on separate charges stemming from a road rage incident during which he allegedly fatally struck Reda Saleh, 67.
The road rage case saw Detroit police called to the junction of W. Chicago Street and Greenfield Road at around 6:45pm on April 17 to a report of an unconscious man. The man had suffered head damage and was comatose when they arrived. On May 11, after being brought to a nearby hospital, he died from his injuries.
Saleh allegedly knocked Burks' car off its back as they were nearing the crossing. After getting out of their cars, the two men started arguing. Saleh was allegedly assaulted by Burks after which he left him laying on the road and fled the scene.
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Worthy revealed the investigation into Dr Hoover's homicide spanned five states - Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Texas and California - as well as three countries - the US, France and England. She said that on April 22, 2023, officers were responded to a civilian parking complaint.
On their arrival they spotted a white Range Rover blocking driveway and "noticed what appeared to be blood on the interior of the vehicle". Dr Hoover was the registered owner of the vehicle.
Officers then went to Dr Hoover's Boston Edison home that same evening and noted that the driveway gate leading to and from the rear of the house was "wide open". After knocking on the doors of the house without answer, they left.
The next day, Detroit police received a 911 call from Dr Hoover's family requesting a wellbeing check of his home. They became concerned because they were unable to reach him after he "failed to come and see his dying mother" in Indiana.
When they arrived at the home again, Police observed what appeared to be blood on the back entrance door of the home. Police forced entry into the property, where they found Dr Hoover's body.
"Dr Devon Hoover was found deceased in the third-floor attic crawl space, he was face-down, he was only wearing socks, he was wrapped in a blood-soaked carpet, he appeared to have been shot in the head," Worthy detailed.
Investigators discovered that Dr Hoover's cell phone, wallet, money, credit cards and designer watches had been stolen. Immediately after his murder, multiple fraudulent financial transactions were made from Dr Hoover's bank accounts.
An analysis of Dr Hoover's cell phone records revealed he had approximately 4,000 communications with Burks. "The text messages established that Desmond Burks and Dr Hoover were in an an intimate relationship with one another and that on occasion Desmond Burks would charge Dr Hoover for these sexual services."
The normally tranquil neighborhood's residents were left shocked by Dr Hoover's sudden death. A resident who asked to remain anonymous told Click On Detroit at the time: "This is so insane, and I hate that it's come to this." She continued: "This should happen to no one who was just minding their own as this guy was a worker bee."
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CBS News Detroit had stated that the shooting might have anything to do with a domestic altercation 'that turned fatal'.
Another neighbor expressed shock to CBS News at the time calling it "very surprising" and stating that "this doesn't happen out here." Many people have used social media to share their recollections of Dr. Hoover, expressing their love and support for him. He was called a "exceptional person in nearly every way" by a neighbor.
Neighbor Paddy Lynch paid tribute to Dr. Hoover on Facebook, describing him as "a loving son and brother, a brilliant, accomplished surgeon, an unrivaled collector and caretaker of all things beautiful, and a champion of art and culture."
"But perhaps, most admirably, he was beyond generous with his time and his treasure. He was one of the first neighbors to take me under their wing, offering old house advice, support, and kindness all along the way. "Hospitality was certainly his specialty as he never hesitated to open his spectacular home to countless neighbors, friends, and charitable organizations. For a man small in stature, he was indeed larger than life."
Dr. Hoover was a specialist in treating neck and back conditions at Ascension Hospital in Detroit. A spokesperson for the hospital said: "Devon Hoover, MD, was a dedicated and well-respected member of the Ascension Michigan family and will be greatly missed by our community.
"Our sincere condolences and heartfelt prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow associates during this incredibly difficult time." In addition, Dr. Hoover was connected to the Henry Ford Hospital, where he finished his residency after graduating from Indiana University School of Medicine. Prior to his passing, he had been in practice for over 20 years.
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