Elijah Hemingway, 32, now faces rape and robbery charges from an alleged Wilkinsburg assault that preceded a fatal home invasion by mere hours.
The Allegheny County Police Department announced the additional charges Saturday in a Facebook post, detailing how detectives recovered the victim’s stolen cell phone and “multiple items connecting Hemingway to the reported sexual assault.” The woman had been walking along a path connecting to an alley Wednesday morning when Hemingway allegedly ambushed her. Authorities said she did not know him before the attack.
Wilkinsburg police alerted county detectives, who investigated the assault alongside the homicide case that unfolded just outside Edgewood, Pennsylvania, early Thursday. There, Hemingway allegedly entered a home and stabbed a sleeping couple, killing pediatrician Dr. Idris Evans, 46, and critically injuring his wife.
Evans’ wife told police the attacker appeared “psychotic” and claimed to be “God” during the incident, according to the police report. She also said that as the couple fought back, she yelled for their children, ages 8 and 12, to get out of the house.
The wife further told investigators that Evans called the attacker “Elijah,” as though he knew him. County authorities told KDKA they could not confirm whether Evans and Hemingway had any preexisting relationship. Evans’ wife said she did not know the suspect and was unsure how he entered their home.
Hemingway gave investigators an account that did not align with their findings. He claimed Evans had invited him back to the home hours earlier and allowed him inside. He also accused Evans of attacking him with a knife and said he sustained a stab wound to his back.
However, authorities said they found no stab wound on Hemingway’s back and could not locate a bicycle he claimed to have used to get to the home.
Court records show Hemingway has a criminal history dating back to 2016. He was released without bail in July in a February burglary case. Authorities brought seven charges against him in Thursday’s attack, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and trespassing. The additional charges from the Wilkinsburg assault include rape, sexual assault and robbery.
First responders rushed Evans to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His wife survived the attack. According to the police report, Hemingway attacked the couple while in his underwear.