Man Charged With Murder In The Killing Of Beloved Detroit Doctor

DETROIT — A man has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a well-known Detroit neurosurgeon that happened more than a year ago, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said at a Wednesday morning news conference.

Devon Hoover, 53, and a certified neurosurgeon, was shot to death inside his Boston-Edison neighborhood home on April 23, 2023, according to police.

Desmond Burks, 34, was charged with eight counts, including first-degree premeditated murder and felony murder. His next court date is scheduled for Thursday morning.

Worthy did not reveal a motive for the shooting, but she did say Hoover and Burks were involved in an intimate relationship at the time of the shooting. She did not explain any further details about the relationship.

Police said the investigation spanned five states, including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Texas and California. The investigation also spanned across three countries, including the U.S., England and France.

Investigators examined hundreds of video, years worth of Digital evidence and executed 134 search warrants.

No other specific details about the shooting were released Wednesday.

Detroit Police Chief James White said officials are confident in the case going forward.

Burks was also charged in connection with a fatal road rage incident earlier this year in Dearborn.

In that case, officers found Reda Saleh, 67, of Dearborn, lying unresponsive and suffering from a head injury in a street near West Chicago Street and Greenfield Road.

Burks, who was 33 at the time, was charged with second-degree murder. He was placed in jail with a $1 million bond.

Hoover's body was found wrapped in a sheet in the attic of his Boston-Edison neighborhood home with multiple gunshot wounds to the head on April 23, 2023, according to police.

An autopsy showed Hoover was first shot behind his right ear and then in the back of his head, before he was dragged in a sheet and stuffed in the crawlspace, where officers later found the body, according to the Wayne County Medical Examiner.

Officials went to the home after a family member requested a welfare check because Hoover didn’t show up to visit his ailing mother who was in Indiana.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry into the home, leading investigators to believe Hoover knew the killer. Police do not believe the killing was random.

A person-of-interest was arrested in connection to the shooting, but was later released on May 2, 2023.

Hoover was a certified neurosurgeon at Ascension St. John and specialized in neck and back disorders.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward up to $22,500 for information leading to the arrest of someone in connection with the shooting.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.