Edgewood, Pennsylvania — A pediatric critical care physician was fatally stabbed inside his home early Thursday morning, and his wife was left critically injured after police say a man broke into the residence and attacked the couple while they were sleeping.
Edgewood Borough police were called to the 100 block of Linden Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, where officers found 46-year-old Idris Evans and his wife suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Evans was taken to a hospital in Monroeville before being transferred to UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, where he later died from his injuries. His wife was transported to a nearby hospital and remained in critical condition, according to the Allegheny County Police Department.
Doctor Attacked While Sleeping, Wife Tells Police
According to a criminal complaint, Evans and his wife were asleep in their third-floor bedroom when they were suddenly attacked. The complaint says Evans’ wife told detectives that the couple was:
“woken up to a male physically attacking and stabbing them in bed with a kitchen knife.”
She described the intruder as “psychotic” and told investigators that he repeatedly made statements about God.
“He repeatedly made utterances about ‘God’ and being ‘God.’”
The woman also told detectives that during the attack, her husband appeared to recognize the suspect. The complaint states:
“During the assault, she recalled her husband addressing the actor as ‘Elijah’ as if he knew him. However, [victim] indicated that she herself was not familiar with the suspect.”
Police later identified the suspect as 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway.
Children Escaped During the Attack
The couple’s two children, ages 8 and 12, were also inside the home when the attack happened.
According to the complaint, Evans and his wife attempted to fight back against the intruder. During the struggle, Evans’ wife was able to yell to her children and tell them to leave the house and run to a neighbor’s home.
The woman also told police that Hemingway was wearing only underwear during the attack. At one point, she said, he demanded the keys to her vehicle. She gave them to him.
The children were able to escape to the neighbor’s house as the violent confrontation continued inside the residence.
Blood Found Throughout Third-Floor Bedroom
Investigators later searched the home and documented evidence consistent with the violent struggle. According to the criminal complaint, detectives found the largest amount of suspected blood on the couple’s bed, floor and walls, with numerous objects knocked over inside the bedroom.
A large kitchen knife was discovered in the third-floor bathroom. Investigators also found that the rear door was open and had suspected blood on its handle. The kitchen window at the back of the home also reportedly had suspected blood near its base.
Police said the evidence was consistent with a violent confrontation inside the residence.
Suspect Found Hiding in Neighbor’s Backyard
After the attack, Hemingway allegedly fled from the home.
Officers conducting a canine search in the neighborhood eventually found him hiding in a neighbor’s backyard. Police said Hemingway was suffering from lacerations to his hand when he was located.
Authorities arrested him and said he faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass.
The case remains an active criminal proceeding, and the allegations against Hemingway have not been proven in court.
Suspect Gives Police Different Account
During an interview with investigators, Hemingway allegedly provided a different version of what happened. According to the complaint, he claimed Evans had invited him to the home several hours earlier and allowed him inside.
Hemingway allegedly told investigators that Evans later attacked him with what he described as a “Michael Myers” style knife, leading to a physical struggle involving both Evans and his wife.
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He claimed he was stabbed in the back during the confrontation. However, detectives noted that they did not find a stab wound on Hemingway’s back when they interviewed him.
Hemingway allegedly told police that he eventually disarmed Evans and stabbed the couple using the knife and a piece of broken mirror that had shattered on the floor.
He then left the residence and hid nearby until police found him. Investigators said Hemingway was unable to provide details about where he allegedly met Evans before the incident.
Evans Remembered as a Medical Professional
Evans was 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. His death has left his family and colleagues mourning while his wife remains hospitalized.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly attack as Hemingway faces serious criminal charges in connection with the case.
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