Autopsy: Detroit neurosurgeon shot twice in head, dragged face down into home's crawlspace

Beloved Detroit neurosurgeon Devon Hoover was shot twice in the head before he was dragged facedown into a crawlspace of his home and covered with a comforter, sheet and a rug, according to an autopsy report the Free Press obtained Wednesday through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Hoover, 53, was first shot behind his right ear and then shot in the back of his head, the autopsy report from the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office indicates. He was found wearing only a black sock.

His death has been ruled a homicide.

Fingernail clippings and samples were taken from Hoover's body for a rape kit, according to the autopsy.

Hoover was discovered in his home in the Boston-Edison Historic District on April 23. His family, who lives in Indiana, had called Detroit police because he hadn't shown up to a family event as expected.

When police arrived at Hoover's home, Detroit Police Chief James White said, evidence at the home suggested something was wrong. Concerned, police went inside and found Hoover in the crawlspace.

Police previously had a person of interest in custody in an unrelated case, and White had said he was confident this person has key information about Hoover's slaying.

But charges never materialized. The person of interest was released, and since then there have been no updates from police, who have been asking the community to provide tips.

Hoover was a beloved neurosurgeon in Detroit for over 20 years. He was known for his love of life, his kindness, respect, generosity, and compassion.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Autopsy: Detroit neurosurgeon Devon Hoover shot twice in head