Pittsburgh children's hospital director stabbed to death while sleeping in his bed—suspect has lengthy criminal record

A doctor and medical director at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh was killed after an intruder attacked him and his wife while they slept in their bed in the early hours of Thursday. The suspect arrested for the killing, 32-year-old Elijah Hemingway, has an extensive criminal record.

Per CBS Pittsburgh, police responded to the scene at around 12:30 am on Thursday. Officers found a man and a woman suffering from stab wounds, and both were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Dr. Idris Evans was pronounced dead. Per his UPMC bio, Evans was a physician and the co-Medical Director of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s Pediatric Transport Team, as well as an Assistant Professor of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Evans’ wife told police that they had awoken to a man attacking them in their bed with a kitchen knife. She said the suspect was only wearing underwear, and that he talked about “being God.” She was able to yell for their children, ages eight and 12, to get out of the house and run to a neighbor.

The wife told police that her husband had called the attacker “Elijah,” as if he knew him. She described the suspect as being “psychotic” and did not know him.

Authorities were able to track Hemingway down behind a nearby home. Neighbor Sandra Trappen told Channel 11, “I was going to the backyard, and all the officers rushed the backyard.” She said that officers had found Hemingway in bushes in her backyard, adding, “Once they found him, he appeared to be bleeding and incapacitated, and immediately called for a unit to come and pick him up.”
Hemingway reportedly told officers at the hospital that Evans had allegedly invited him to his home, but police could not find evidence supporting the story. Hemingway reportedly told police that he attacked Evans first.

Assistant Superintendent of the Allegheny County Police Department Vic Joseph said, “We do not know if there was any preexisting relationship, though the female victim did not know this male, we are trying to determine if the two males knew each other, if at all.” He added, “The wife believes she heard her husband say a name — ‘Elijah,’ but the wife is also unclear if the actor identified himself by name, so we’re still investigating that.”

Hemingway has been hit with a slew of charges, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary, and criminal trespass. He has an extensive criminal history, with at least 16 prior charges against him.

In 2025, he was charged with battery of a law enforcement officer in Florida after attacking multiple officers who attempted to take him into custody. Deputies had been attempting to take him in to be evaluated for a Baker Act. He was also charged with domestic violence in Florida the same year.

In early 2026, Hemingway was charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into the home of his ex-partner in Pittsburgh, stealing multiple electronic devices.

UPMC spokesperson said in a statement, “Dr. Evans was a dedicated caregiver and valued member of our hospital and university communities. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”