(WXYZ – A Detroit man who police say had an intimate relationship with Dr. Devon Hoover has been charged with his murder. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the charges Wednesday morning.
According to officials, an analysis of Hoover’s phone records revealed that Desmond Burks charged Hoover money for sexual services.
WATCH: Wayne County prosecutor announces murder charges in 2023 killing of Dr. Devon Hoover
Watch: Wayne County Prosecutor Announces Murder Charges in 2023 Assassination of Dr. Devon Hoover
The announcement ends an investigation that lasted more than a year and spanned five states (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Texas and California) and three countries (the United States, England and France).
Worthy detailed the enormous amount of information officers used to investigate this case, including over 100 hours of video interviews, video surveillance from 24 different locations, over 300 pieces of evidence, more than 134 search warrants requested, a Range Rover, two luxury watches and 181 pages of investigator reports. In total, police reportedly provided several terabytes of data.
Hoover, 53, was found dead in his Detroit home on W. Boston Boulevard near Woodward Avenue on April 23, 2023, while police were conducting a wellness check. Police were initially called after Hoover failed to show up in Indiana to visit his mother. During that investigation, police noticed the driveway gate at the back of the home was wide open and there appeared to be blood on the back door of the home.
Inside the house, police found Hoover’s body in a third-floor crawl space, wrapped in a blood-soaked carpet.
The Wayne County Coroner’s Office concluded that Hoover had been shot twice in the back of the head.
On the day of the murder, Burks was allegedly seen parking Hoover’s Range Rover near the 9900 block of Coyle Street, a house that police had linked to Dr. Hoover and Burks through phone records. Officials say one of Hoover’s luxury watches was found in that house. The piece of jewelry, a Cartier “Ballon Bleu” watch, was purchased by Hoover the day before his murder, investigators say. This was one of the many pieces of evidence that led to the charges against Burks, according to officials.
Hoover’s family issued the following statement to ABC News about the arrest:
The investigation into our brother’s murder has been with us since April 23, 2023. Today, we are relieved that there is a step toward justice. We are grateful for the dedicated teamwork and sacrifices of the Detroit Police Department. Most importantly, we again mourn the loss of Devon. He was an extraordinary man – a doctor, brother, son, uncle, and friend who invested in our lives with unwavering kindness and generosity. While nothing will ever make up for our loss, we are grateful that someone is being held accountable for Devon’s death. We continue to trust that God’s goodness will overcome this tragedy.
Hoover’s friend Carole Gove spoke to 7 News Detroit about the developments.
“I’m relieved this is over,” Gove said. “I’m sure they will get a conviction. They were so diligent and scrupulous that I’m sure they will get a conviction. Devon deserves justice. He was a brilliant man.”
She said: “I don’t know what’s different today than it was six months ago. So, someone must have said something. Someone must have finally come forward and said something.”
FULL INTERVIEW: Carol Gove reacts to Hoover arrest
FULL INTERVIEW: Carol Gove reacts to Hoover arrest
When asked why Burks is being charged now, Worthy replied, “Because we have come to a point in the investigation where we can safely file charges because we have to stand up and defend ourselves in court.”
She added: “So we were not ready and as you know me well enough by now, we take our time. In cases where we can settle quickly, we settle quickly. In cases where we cannot,
I don’t care what people say. We’re going to take our time to make sure we do it right.”
Burks is currently in prison on another murder charge after allegedly striking and killing a driver in an incident of driving aggression in April.
Burks was accused of the following:
- First degree intentional murder
- murder
- Theft of over $20,000
- Committing a crime with a computer
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
- Three charges of illegal possession of firearms
Burks is scheduled to appear in 36th District Court tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. to face these charges.
Hoover was a physician at Ascension St. John, specializing in neck and back disorders. He completed his medical training at Indiana University School of Medicine before completing his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He completed fellowships at Louisiana State University School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
