Suspect in Pittsburgh Doctor’s Killing Had Been Released in Earlier Burglary Case

A 32-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing a Pittsburgh pediatric critical care physician and injuring his wife during an alleged home invasion had been released without bail in connection with a previous burglary case, according to court records.

Elijah Hemingway, of Pittsburgh, was arrested after police said he entered the Edgewood home of Dr. Idris Evans and attacked Evans and his wife while they were sleeping early Thursday, Sept. 24.

Evans, 46, was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead at 1:42 a.m. His wife survived the attack and was hospitalized.

Hemingway now faces seven new charges related to the incident, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass.

Couple Attacked While Sleeping

Police were called to the home on Linden Avenue at around 12:30 a.m. after Evans’ wife escaped the attack and ran to a neighbor’s house for help. The neighbor called 911 at approximately 12:31 a.m., and officers arrived about three minutes later.

According to the criminal complaint, the woman told investigators that she and her husband had been awakened by a man attacking them in bed with a kitchen knife.

She said the attacker was wearing only underwear and made statements about “being God.” She also recalled her husband addressing the man as “Elijah,” although she said she had never seen Hemingway before.

The couple’s two children, ages 8 and 12, were also home at the time of the attack.

Police later found blood on a windowsill and an exterior door in the family’s kitchen.

Hemingway was located two doors away from the Evans home by Channy, a K-9 with the Monroeville Police Department. He was wearing only underwear and had cuts on his hands, which investigators said were consistent with a stabbing.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment following his arrest.

Hemingway Gave Police a Different Account

According to the affidavit, Hemingway told investigators that Evans had invited him into the home, although he could not explain how he and the doctor knew each other.

Hemingway also allegedly claimed that Evans had stabbed him in the back first.

Court documents state that police found no stab wound on his back. His only reported injuries were cuts to his hands.

Investigators are still working to determine whether Hemingway and Evans knew one another. Authorities have not announced a motive for the attack.

Previous Burglary Case

The new charges came as authorities examined Hemingway’s previous criminal record.

According to court records, his most recent prior arrest occurred in July in connection with a burglary reported to have taken place in February. He had been released without bail on that case.

CBS Pittsburgh reported that the earlier burglary case was scheduled to return to court shortly before the fatal Edgewood attack.

The earlier allegations are separate from the charges filed in connection with Evans’ death and the attack on his wife.

Dr. Idris Evans Remembered

Evans was a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and served as an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

He was also the medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team at UPMC Children’s Hospital.

Following his death, UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh described Evans as a dedicated caregiver and valued member of their medical and academic communities. The institutions expressed condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues and asked that their privacy be respected.

Neighbors also remembered Evans and his family as friendly and welcoming. One neighbor told WPXI that Evans had once helped her carry groceries home and described the family as loving, outgoing and helpful.

The investigation remains ongoing, including efforts to establish whether there was any prior connection between Hemingway and the Evans family. Hemingway is accused of the offenses and remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.