A person of interest was taken into custody on Friday in relation to brutal execution of a neurosurgeon in Detroit last weekend, but there is still the question of who killed the beloved doctor.
Detroit Police Chief James White announced that the person involved was taken into custody, but he did not call the detainee a suspect in his death. Dr. Devon Hoover—who was found in the attic of his senior home, wrapped in a plastic sheet with multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
“That person is there for an unrelated allegation but we believe this person has information about what happened,” White said at a news conference.
White added that the attack “was not a random act,” but did not elaborate. Authorities previously said there was no sign of a break-in at Hoover’s home in Detroit’s historic Boston-Edison County and that the murder was likely “related to an incident in the home that resulted in death.”
Police said they made the gruesome discovery Sunday after Hoover’s family in Indiana requested a welfare check when Hoover failed to show up for a planned event in his home state. . Hoover’s car was later found abandoned on the other side of town.
The news caused an extraordinary wave of grief on social media from hundreds of former patients, colleagues, friends and neighbors. A Facebook group titled Justice for Dr. Devon Hoover It quickly attracted 2,500 members and became a place for loved ones to share stories about Hoover and grieving the circumstances surrounding his death.
Many have speculated about who might be behind the murder, but the family and authorities have remained silent about the 53-year-old’s personal life.
Hoover is a specialist in neck and back disorders at Ascension Healthcare at St. John and is said to live alone in the historic home, which neighbors say he has lovingly restored. They talk about his love of hosting neighborhood parties and keeping his house and surrounding yard looking good.
One of those neighbors, Ann Justice, said Local News 4 that Hoover was “just the kindest person.”
In a statement released Wednesday, Hoover’s family called him a “gift from God” who has “used his talents to bless many people.”
“We, the family of Devon Hoover, would like to express our deep sadness at the passing of our beloved son, brother and uncle,” the statement read. “We grieve his untimely death and will miss him dearly. We are grateful for the many kind words and stories from people who have been touched by his life.”
