Man arrested a year after Detroit neurosurgeon was found dead, wrapped in carpet in attic

DETROIT (TCN) -- The Wayne County prosecutor announced several charges against a man she alleges fatally shot a successful neurosurgeon, left his body in the attic, and spent thousands of dollars using the victim’s credit cards.

According to prosecutor Kym Worthy, on April 22, 2023, a resident called the Detroit Police Department to report a white Range Rover was blocking their driveway on Coyle Street. Officers responded to the scene and saw what looked like blood inside the car. They towed the Range Rover and learned it belonged to Dr. Devon Hoover. Police went to Hoover’s home and saw that the gate leading to his house on Boston Boulevard was "wide open." Officers knocked on the front and back doors, but no one answered.

The next day, Detroit Police received a call from Hoover’s family asking them to conduct a welfare check because he never showed up in Indiana to visit his dying mother. Officers returned to Hoover’s house and once again saw the gate was open. They reportedly noticed blood on the rear exterior door, so officers made the decision to force entry. Officers did a sweep of the residence and found Hoover face-down in an attic crawl space with a gunshot wound to the head. He was reportedly wearing only a pair of socks.

The medical examiner confirmed Hoover died from two gunshot wounds to the head and ruled his manner of death a homicide.

Additionally, Hoover’s wallet, phone, credit cards, and designer watches were missing from his house. Worthy said transactions were made on his cards "almost immediately" after the discovery. Detectives searched his phone records and saw he had 4,000 communications with a man named Desmond Burks. According to Worthy, text messages showed the two men had an intimate relationship, and Burks sometimes charged Hoover for sex.

Worthy said the investigation took a long time because several witnesses were "reluctant to come forward to share sensitive and personal information."

Data reportedly showed Hoover’s cellphone traveled from his address on Boston Boulevard to Burks' home. Later, the phone was tracked to Hoover’s house again and then back to Burks'. The prosecutor’s office said there were "numerous pieces of corroborating evidence" that placed Hoover’s phone and Burks in the same places.

On April 22, 2023, video surveillance allegedly showed a man parking Hoover’s SUV on Coyle Street, then limping away. Burks reportedly walks with a limp because he was previously shot in the hip. His fingerprint was also found in the car. Investigators reportedly discovered two of Hoover’s Cartier watches at addresses associated with Burks, including one watch he bought the day before he was killed.

Worthy said the investigation spanned five states and three countries. Detectives gathered several terabytes of data and collected over 300 pieces of evidence.

Burks was arrested Aug. 7 on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, larceny of $20,000 or more, using a computer to commit a crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of felony firearm.

Burks is also facing second-degree murder charges for allegedly killing a 67-year-old man during a road rage incident in April. According to the prosecutor’s office, on April 17 at 6:45 p.m., Reda Saleh’s car allegedly bumped into Burks' vehicle. They both exited their cars and got into a verbal altercation. Burks allegedly punched Saleh, causing him to fall. Burks allegedly fled while Saleh was still on the ground. Paramedics arrived and took him to a hospital. He died from his injuries on May 11.

Worthy said Burks was ordered in May to undergo a competency review.

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