A prominent children’s hospital doctor was fatally stabbed after an intruder entered his home through an open window and went upstairs, attacking the physician and his wife while they slept, police said.
Dr. Idris Evans, 46, a pediatric critical care physician and medical director at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, died following the early-morning assault at his family home in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.
His wife survived despite suffering serious stab wounds. During the attack, she alerted the couple’s children, aged eight and 12, allowing them to escape the home as the violence unfolded in their parents’ bedroom.
Elijah Hemingway, 32, has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass in connection with the fatal stabbing.
According to investigators, Hemingway entered the property through an open window and climbed to the third floor, where Evans and his wife were asleep.
The couple woke at about 12:30 a.m. and found a man attacking them with a kitchen knife, court documents cited by CBS News state.
Evans’ wife told police the alleged attacker was wearing only underwear and said something about “being God” during the terrifying confrontation.
She also described how she and her husband fought desperately to defend themselves.
Dr. Idris Evans, 46, was a pediatric critical care physician and medical director at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Elijah Hemingway, 32, is accused of entering the family home through an open window and climbing upstairs
“It was a very violent scene,” Allegheny County Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph said. “The bedroom furniture was broken, mirrors broken. It was a very graphic scene.”
“It was a very violent scene,” Allegheny County Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph said.
“The bedroom furniture was broken, mirrors broken. It was a very graphic scene.”
During the struggle, Evans’ wife screamed for their two children to leave the house and find safety with a neighbor.
She later escaped from the home and called police.
When officers arrived, they found Evans and his wife with multiple stab wounds.
Both victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition. Evans later died despite efforts to save him.
Evans’ wife told investigators she recalled her husband calling the alleged attacker “Elijah” during the fight, prompting questions about whether the two men knew each other.
Police said it is not yet clear whether they had any prior relationship.
Hemingway, 32, is accused of entering the family home through an open window before making his way upstairs
‘We do not know if there was any pre-existing relationship,’ Joseph said. ‘The woman did not know this male. We are trying to determine if the two males knew each other.’
Investigators said Hemingway was eventually discovered behind a nearby home with cuts to his hand.
Neighbor Sandra Trappen awoke to the sight of police swarming the normally quiet neighborhood before discovering that the man officers were hunting was hiding in her own backyard.
‘I was going to walk out in the backyard, and then all of the officers rushed through the backyard, so I just kind of stayed back,’ Trappen told WTAE.
She said officers spent around an hour searching the dark area.
‘Once they found him, he appeared to be bleeding and incapacitated,’ she said.
Trappen said Hemingway had managed to hide in a less manicured section of her garden.
‘He had found a way to conceal himself, but apparently he was injured and bleeding.’
Hemingway was detained and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Neighbor Sandra Trappen awoke to the sight of police swarming the normally quiet neighborhood before discovering the man officers were hunting was hiding in her backyard
Police said Hemingway later claimed during an interview that Evans had invited him to the house several hours earlier and alleged Evans and his wife attacked him.
Authorities said Hemingway was unable to provide details supporting his account.
Police have not announced a motive, and the circumstances surrounding any possible prior connection between Hemingway and Evans remain under investigation.
Dr. Evans had devoted his career to treating critically ill children.
He was medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
His hospital and university colleagues said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by his death.
‘Dr. Evans was a dedicated caregiver and valued member of our hospital and university communities,’ UPMC said.
‘Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected.’
Edgewood police also acknowledged the devastating impact of the killing on the small community.
‘We are a small and close-knit community and we are sure that many of you may be feeling shaken today,’ the department said.
‘You may be sad, angry, anxious, distracted, or just having a hard time making sense of what happened.’
Police asked for residents to avoid spreading rumors, speculation or graphic material about the killing, warning that doing so could make an already traumatic situation even more painful for Evans’ family and neighbors.
