Pediatric doctor dies after he and his wife were stabbed multiple times while sleeping in Pittsburgh-area home
EDGEWOOD, Pa. —
A doctor who worked in the critical care of children for UPMC in Pittsburgh has died after he and a woman were stabbed multiple times on Thursday morning.
Dr. Idris Evans was killed after he and his wife were stabbed after 12:30 a.m. in their home in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, which is less than 10 miles outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Evans and his wife in critical condition. Both were taken to a hospital where Evans later died.
Allegheny County Police say 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway entered their home and stabbed the pair multiple times while they were sleeping.
Video below: Police news conference
Police say Evans’ wife ran from the home and called police, reporting the couple had been stabbed and she was unsure how Hemingway got into their home.
Evans’ wife told authorities at the hospital she remembered waking up and being attacked by Hemingway, who was in his underwear. She told authorities she remembered her husband addressing the attacker as “Elijah”; however, she did not know the man.
She continued to explain she and Evans tried to fight back. According to the complaint, Evans’ wife was able to get away, yell for their two young children, and escape to the neighbor’s home.
County police said Hemingway was detained by officers and is now facing multiple charges, including homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass.
Police interviewed Hemingway, who claimed Evans invited him to their home hours before. He also claimed the pair attacked him; however, authorities say he was unable to provide details to support his account.
Police encourage people to take the extra steps in keeping themselves and loved ones safe.
“The message is always the same to lock your doors, secure your vehicle, do not leave items visible in your vehicle. Be cognizant of your surroundings. Be aware of what’s going on around you,” Allegheny County Police Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph said.
According to Allegheny County Police, during the investigation of the murder of Dr. Evans and assault on his wife, detectives were contacted by Wilkinsburg police about an unknown male who attacked a woman who was walking along a path between an alley and West Street at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 23.
County police say they found multiple items on Hemingway that connected him to the sexual assault, including the sexual assault victim’s cell phone that was reported taken in the attack.
Hemingway is now facing charges of rape, sexual assault and robbery in the Wilkinsburg incident.
Neighbor says Suspect Found in Backyard
Sister station WTAE spoke to a neighbor who said police found the suspect hiding in her backyard.
“I was going to walk out the backyard, and then all of the officers rushed through the backyard, so I just kind of stayed back, and they proceeded a good hour back there, and they found him. It’s pretty dark back there. Once they found him, he appeared to be bleeding and incapacitated,” said neighbor Sandra Trappen.
Trappen says she was shocked to learn something like this could happen on her usual quiet street.
“If you see one or two police officers, it’s a lot, let alone if you wake up and find 20. It sounds cliché, but it’s not something that’s typical or happens here,” she said.
Anyone with information should call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
Statement from UPMC Spokesperson:
“The UPMC and University of Pittsburgh community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dr. Idris Evans, a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Evans was a dedicated caregiver and valued member of our hospital and university communities. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
