Pittsburgh Children's Doctor Stabbed to Death After Suspect Allegedly Attacked Couple in Bed

A Pittsburgh children's hospital doctor was stabbed to death and his wife critically injured after a man allegedly entered their home and attacked the couple while they slept, according to police.

Dr Idris Evans, 46, was killed during the early-morning attack at his home in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, per the Allegheny County Police Department. His wife was also seriously injured and remained in critical but stable condition following the attack.

County 9-1-1 received a report of a stabbing at a home on Linden Avenue at 12:31am on Thursday. First responders found Evans and his wife suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to police. Evans was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His wife was also transported to hospital for treatment.

Suspect Allegedly Entered Couple's Home

Police identified 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway of Pittsburgh as the suspect. According to police, detectives determined through witness interviews that Hemingway allegedly entered the home and attacked Evans and his wife while they were sleeping.

Evans' wife told investigators that the couple woke up to a man attacking them in bed with a kitchen knife, according to court documents reported by KDKA. She reportedly said the attacker was wearing only underwear and made a statement about 'being God.'

During the attack, Evans' wife yelled for the couple's children, aged eight and 12, to leave the house and go to a neighbour's home, according to the report. She also told investigators that Evans called the attacker 'Elijah,' as though he knew him, according to the report.

However, Allegheny County Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph said investigators had not established whether Evans and Hemingway had any pre-existing relationship.

'We do not know if there was any pre-existing relationship,' Joseph said, according to KDKA. 'The woman did not know this male. We are trying to determine if the two males knew each other.'

Suspect Found With Cuts To Hand

A K-9 unit from the Monroeville Police Department searching the area later found Hemingway behind a nearby home with cuts to his hand, according to county police. Hemingway remained hospitalised while authorities prepared to transfer him to the Allegheny County Jail, Fox News reported.

He faces charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass, according to police. Authorities had not announced any updates to those charges as of Thursday. Investigators also had not announced a motive.

Police said they were continuing to investigate both a possible motive and whether Hemingway and Evans knew each other.

Doctor Worked at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital

Evans worked as a paediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

He was also the medical director of the hospital's Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, according to his university profile.

A UPMC spokesperson said the hospital and university community was 'deeply saddened' by Evans' death. The spokesperson described Evans as a dedicated caregiver and valued member of the hospital and university communities.

'Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time,' the spokesperson said, while asking that the family's privacy be respected.

The investigation into the fatal attack remains ongoing.