Detroit authorities announced the arrest of a suspect Wednesday in the April 2023 shooting death of 57-year-old neurosurgeon Devon Huber.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Desmond Burks, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, theft over $20,000, using a computer to commit a crime and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with Huber’s murder.
“This extensive investigation was conducted over a year with the cooperation of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The investigation spanned five states and three countries and resulted in the recovery of a significant amount of documents and evidence,” Worthy said.
Worthy said Burks and Huber appeared to have an intimate relationship, and Burks would sometimes charge Huber for sexual acts.
Detroit police investigating break-in at murdered doctor’s home
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Desmond Burks, 34, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, theft over $20,000, using a computer to commit a crime and felon in possession of a firearm. (Michigan State Police)
Cell phone data showed that Dr. Huber’s cell phone was recorded traveling between his multi-million dollar mansion in Detroit’s historic Boston-Edison district and an address for Mr. Burks in the Glendale neighborhood, about 15 minutes away, the day before the doctor’s murder.
Worthy said the investigation crossed state lines in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Texas and California, as well as international borders through the U.S., Britain and France.
Detroit police identify person of interest in doctor’s death
On Sunday, April 22, police received a civilian complaint about a white Range Rover blocking their driveway on Coyle Street in the Glendale neighborhood of Detroit. There was bloodstains inside the vehicle, which police recovered as evidence.
Detroit police announced an arrest Wednesday in the shooting death of neurosurgeon Dr. Devon Huber. (Cheryl Gibbs Lieber/WJBK)
Police later discovered that Huber owned a Range Rover and had traveled to his home on West Boston Boulevard, about 15 minutes from Glendale. Police noticed that the driveway gates leading to the front and back of Huber’s home were “wide open,” but no one appeared to be home.
On April 23, Huber’s family called 911 to request a safety check on the neurosurgeon after he had not visited his dying mother in Indiana. Further evidence revealed what appeared to be bloodstains on the back door of Huber’s home, and police decided to force entry into the home, where they found Huber deceased.
Detroit neurosurgeon found dead in home, former patient says he was ‘great doctor’
The Detroit Police Homicide Unit is investigating Huber’s shooting, which may be related to a domestic dispute. (WJBK)
“Dr. Devon Huber was found deceased in the third floor attic, face down, wearing only socks and wrapped in a bloody carpet. He appeared to have been shot in the head,” Worthy said, adding that the coroner later determined Dr. Huber died from two gunshot wounds to the head.
“He was only wearing socks and was wrapped in blood-stained carpet.”
Authorities discovered that some of the doctor’s personal belongings were missing shortly after he was killed, including his cell phone, wallet, cash, credit cards and a designer watch. Unauthorized transactions were made from his financial accounts in the days following his death.
Devon Hoover, 53, was found dead inside his home. (WJBK)
Burks’ fingerprints were subsequently found on Hoover’s Range Rover, and authorities found the neurosurgeon’s Cartier watch in Burks’ home.
Prior to Huber’s murder, Burks was charged with participating in a road rage incident that left a 67-year-old Dearborn man dead on April 17. Worthy said the incidents are unrelated.
Detroit neurosurgeon found shot to death in home: reports
April 2023, The police took the suspect into custody A suspect believed to be involved in Huber’s death has been detained on unrelated charges, and Detroit Police Chief James White said he believes the individual may have information about Huber’s murder.
Detroit neurosurgeon found shot to death in home: reports
“I am confident that this suspect is in custody. Unrelated charges It will give us some information about what happened,” White said.
According to his obituary, Hoover grew up working on his family’s dairy farm, “milking cows, planting and harvesting crops, and doing various chores with his family,” and eventually decided “at a young age” that he wanted to become a doctor.
“At the time of his death, he had been in practice for 27 years as a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of neck and back disorders,” the obituary states.
