According to Worthy, an analysis of Hoover’s cell phone showed about 4,000 text messages with a number attributed to Burks, who also lived in Detroit. The messages showed that the two were in an “intimate relationship” with one another and on occasion, Burks would “charge” Hoover for “sexual services," Worthy said.
Dr. Devon Hoover’s home.Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK
Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK
Detroit Police Chief James White previously said police believed Hoover knew his assailant but did not provide additional details about the nature of their relationship.
On the day of Hoover’s murder, Hoover’s cell phone traveled from his address to the area of Desmond’s home, Worthy claimed. The cell phone appears to return to Hoover’s home for a short period of time and then travels back to the area of Desmond’s home, before pinging at Fairlane Mall in Dearborn, Mich., she added. Worthy claimed Hoover’s phone never returns back to his home.
In addition to his cell phone, Hoover’s wallet, money, credit cards, and two designer watches worth thousands of dollars were missing from his home, according to Worthy. In the days following Hoover’s murder, Worthy said that there were multiple fraudulent financial transactions from his bank accounts.
During separate searches of properties connected to Burks, authorities recovered Hoover’s two watches, one of which he bought the day before he was killed, Worthy said.
Worthy also said that Hoover’s white Range Rover, which was found with blood inside and blocking his driveway the day before his body was discovered, was allegedly linked to Burks. According to Worthy, a man believed to be Burks – who walked with a limp — was seen on surveillance footage parking Hoover’s car and carrying a backpack on the day Hoover was killed. Burks' fingerprint was also allegedly found inside the car, she added.
According to Worthy, Burks is currently being held in the Wayne County Jail on $1 million bond and is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Burks is also awaiting a competency hearing in a separate murder case, Worthy said. Burks, then 33, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with a deadly road-rage incident in May.
Burks is accused of punching Reda Saleh, 67, and leaving him in the street after Saleh allegedly bumped the back of Burks' vehicle, according to astatementfrom the prosecutor’s office. It’s unclear if he has entered a plea in this case.
source: people.com