Suspect accused of murder in case of Detroit-area neurosurgeon’s death

Authorities announced charges on Wednesday in the 2023 killing of Dr. Devon Hoover, a well-respected neurosurgeon in Detroit. The doctor’s body was discovered wrapped in carpet and concealed in an attic crawl space at his home in a historic neighborhood. Desmond Burks, who had a personal relationship with Dr. Hoover, was charged with first-degree murder, larceny, and other offenses, as confirmed by prosecutor Kym Worthy. Burks, 34, had been in custody since May on unrelated charges of second-degree murder related to a road rage incident. He is set to appear in court on Thursday.
The circumstances surrounding Hoover’s death, which occurred 16 months ago, deeply impacted his patients and the local medical community in Detroit, where he was known for his expertise and compassionate care. Dr. Hoover, 53, was found with a gunshot wound to the back of his head in the crawl space of his home in the Boston-Edison neighborhood after concerns were raised by his family in Indiana who had not heard from him. According to Worthy, phone records revealed numerous communications between Hoover and Burks. Following the doctor’s murder, there were unauthorized financial transactions made from his accounts for several days.
While the motive for Dr. Hoover’s killing was not publicly disclosed by Worthy, the investigation was described as extensive, involving multiple states, countries, luxury items, including watches and a Range Rover belonging to the doctor, as well as a significant amount of digital evidence. Detroit Police Chief James White expressed the community’s sorrow over the loss of Dr. Hoover, emphasizing the impact his death has had on the area.