Detroit, MI – The serene neighborhood of Detroit was deeply shaken by the tragic death of Dr. Devon Hoover, a respected 53-year-old neurosurgeon, on April 23, 2023. The case took a significant turn when authorities charged Desmond Burks, a man in an intimate relationship with Dr. Hoover, with his murder. The shocking details have left the community and Hoover’s family grappling with the loss and the brutal nature of the crime.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy revealed that Dr. Hoover was found shot twice in the head, his body wrapped in a blood-soaked carpet and hidden in the attic crawl space of his home. The discovery was made during a well-being check after he failed to visit his ailing mother in Indiana.
The investigation quickly uncovered a significant clue: Hoover’s close, intimate relationship with Desmond Burks. Cellphone analysis showed around 4,000 text messages exchanged between the two, highlighting their connection. Prosecutor Worthy noted that Burks occasionally charged Hoover for sexual services, adding complexity to their relationship.
On the day of the murder, Hoover’s phone was traced traveling from his home to Burks’ residence and back, suggesting a meeting. The phone later returned to Burks’ home area, indicating his involvement. After the murder, several of Hoover’s possessions, including his phone, wallet, and two designer watches, were missing, pointing to a theft motive. Burks was charged with first-degree premeditated murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and larceny over $20,000.
The news of Burks’ arrest and charges has prompted various reactions on social media. Melissa Kreitzman Bennett commented, "What a horrible story!" while Rae Metsch Savett echoed, "They were lovers." Ezra Ariel Levi Ben-Ami added, "This is why you don’t mess with hookers." Farzaneh Fa simply expressed, "Rest in peace Dr. Hoover."
Burks also faced a second-degree murder charge related to a deadly road rage incident in May, where he allegedly assaulted a man after a minor car collision, leaving the victim to die in the street. This history of violence painted Burks as a dangerous individual with a propensity for lethal aggression.
The tragic and complex case of Dr. Devon Hoover’s murder underscores the dark and often hidden aspects of seemingly ordinary lives, leaving a community in mourning and seeking justice for a beloved figure.