A Pennsylvania doctor was stabbed to death while sleeping by a nearly naked intruder who claimed to be God, as the physician’s critically injured wife fought to protect their children and seek help.
Dr. Idris Evans and his wife were found with multiple stab wounds inside their Edgewood, Pennsylvania, home shortly after 12:30 a.m. Thursday, according to Allegheny County police.
The couple had been asleep in a third-floor bedroom when 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway allegedly entered through a rear window and launched the overnight attack.
“It was a very violent scene. The bedroom furniture [was] broken, mirrors [were] broken. It was a very graphic scene,” Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph told reporters at a Thursday news conference.
Court records obtained by WPXI describe Hemingway as “psychotic” during the stabbing. He allegedly made repeated references to God and claimed to “be God.”
Evans, 46, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His wife was also hospitalized and remained in critical condition.
The woman told police that she and her husband had tried to “fight back the best of their ability” while she shouted for their children to leave the house.
The couple’s children, ages 8 and 12, were reported to be physically “OK” after the attack.
The alleged intruder also demanded and took Evans’ wife’s car keys.
According to Joseph, Evans called the attacker by his first name, “Elijah,” during the assault, suggesting he may have known him. The doctor’s wife, however, told investigators that she did not know the intruder.
Hemingway reportedly claimed that he had been invited into the home, but authorities said they found no evidence supporting that claim.
“We do not know if there was any preexisting relationship, though the female victim did not know this male. We are trying to determine if the two males knew each other at all,” Joseph said.
Police tracked Hemingway to a neighboring home with the help of a K9. He was found with lacerations on his hands, officials said.
After being taken to a hospital, Hemingway was charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass, authorities said.
Court records reviewed by The Post show that Hemingway had been released on nonmonetary bail following a July arrest related to a February burglary and theft case.
Evans was a physician and co-medical director of the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Pediatric Transport Team. He was also an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, according to his online biography.
“The UPMC and University of Pittsburgh community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dr. Idris Evans, a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh,” UPMC said in a statement to WPXI.
“Dr. Evans was a dedicated caregiver and valued member of our hospital and university communities. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
