DETROIT – Officials will provide an update Wednesday on the mysterious murder of a well-known Detroit neurosurgeon whose body was found wrapped in a sheet in his attic.
📄 UPDATE: Everything we know after major update in mysterious murder of well-known Detroit doctor
Dr. Devon Hoover’s murder
Dr. Devon Hoover, 53, was shot in the head several times on April 23, 2023, at his home in Detroit’s Boston Edison District, police said.
Officials went to the home after a family member from Indiana called to request a welfare check because Hoover didn’t show up to visit his ailing mother.
Police found Hoover’s body in the attic, wrapped in a sheet. They believe whoever killed him carried his body up to the attic.
There was no forced entry at the home, so it’s possible Hoover knew the killer, police said.
Hoover was a well-known neurosurgeon at Ascension Hospital.
Person of interest
On April 28, 2023, officials took one person of interest into custody on a warrant unrelated to Hoover’s murder. They believed that person had information about what happened.
The person of interest was released on May 2, 2023.
No arrests have been made in the case, as far as we know.
As of April 2024, the person of interest was still a main focus of the investigation. That person’s identity has not been released.
Investigation stalls
Detroit police Chief James White said in November that an update on the investigation was expected soon, hopefully by the end of 2023.
But when Local 4 reached out to authorities one year after Hoover’s murder, a spokesperson would only say that the investigation was open and active.
Loved ones frustrated
In July 2023, Hoover’s loved ones told Local 4 that investigators didn’t have any existing leads in the case.
“The person who committed this crime is still walking around,” an acquaintance, Brian Douglas, said. “This community is still vulnerable. That means this community, the Boston-Edison community, and also the gay community.”
“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. “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.”
Break-in at home
Someone broke into Hoover’s home during the night of April 29 into April 30 -- about a week after his murder.
Officials didn’t reveal what, if anything, was stolen from the home. There were no reports of an arrest.
Hoover’s funeral was held at 1 p.m. April 30, hours after the break-in.
Wednesday update
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 -- more than 15 months after Hoover’s murder -- officials are planning to provide a live update on the case.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy will join White for an 11 a.m. briefing in Detroit.
You can watch the briefing live on Local 4+.