DETROIT – It’s been months since Detroit police said they expected to make a major announcement in connection with the 2023 killing of a well-known neurosurgeon.
But no such announcement has been made. The investigation into the killing of doctor Devon Hoover, 53, remains ongoing more than one year since the man’s death.
Hoover was shot several times in the head at his house in Detroit’s Boston Edison District on April 23, 2023. Police found Hoover’s body wrapped in a sheet in the attic, and said the killer carried the body there.
In November 2023, Detroit police Chief James White told the public that an announcement was expected “soon,” hopefully by the end of the year. White said he was confident that the department would "bring some closure to this family very, very soon.”
White also said investigators had been working closely with the prosecutor’s office on this case, and that they had a “significant to-do list” that was “just about complete.”
This week, Local 4 asked the Detroit Police Department for an update on the murder investigation. A spokesperson said the investigation was open and active, but wouldn’t confirm whether there were any new developments.
Since Hoover’s death, there have been few known leads and no arrests. One person of interest was taken into custody shortly after the shooting, but that person was released on May 2, 2023.
Officials said the person of interest was in custody on a warrant unrelated to Hoover’s murder, though Detroit police believed the person had information about what happened. In May 2023, investigators said that person of interest was still a main focus of their investigation, but nothing has happened since the person was released.
The identity of the person of interest was never made public.
Loved ones said last July that investigators didn’t have any existing leads in the case.
“No leads ... and the person who committed this crime is still walking around,” said Brian Douglas, an acquaintance of Hoover’s. “This community is still vulnerable -- that means this community, the Boston-Edison community, and also the gay community.”
Detroit police said there was no forced entry at Hoover’s home, which could indicate the man knew his killer.
Hoover’s body was found after his family member in Indiana reportedly called police to request a welfare check. Hoover was supposed to visit his ailing mother, but did not arrive as expected.
Hoover was a well-known neurosurgeon who worked at Ascension Hospital.
“We, the family of Devon Hoover, wish to express our profound sadness at the loss of a beloved son, brother, and uncle,” the family said in a statement last week. “We grieve his untimely death and will miss him greatly. We are so grateful for the many words of kindness and stories from people who were touched by his life. He was a gift from God and used his talents to bless many.”
Detroit police were also investigating a break-in that occurred at the same home just before Hoover’s funeral.