A 2025 bodycam footage reveals that Elijah Hemingway who killed Pittsburgh doctor Idris Evans told Florida police he was the reincarnation of King Tutankhamun.
Elijah Hemingway, the 32-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing a Pittsburgh-area doctor inside his home, had previously made bizarre claims during an encounter with police in Florida, including telling officers that he was the reincarnation of ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamun, according to body-camera footage obtained by WPXI and reported by the New York Post. Hemingway is accused of breaking into the Edgewood, Pennsylvania, home of Dr Idris Evans in the early hours of Thursday and attacking Evans and his wife while they were sleeping. Evans, 46, a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, later died from his injuries. His wife was critically injured.
‘I am King Tutankhamun’
The earlier Florida incident reportedly took place in a Daytona-area parking lot. According to body-camera footage, Hemingway told police, “I am King Tutankhamun,” while moving around the parking lot and jumping across vehicles. When an officer asked whether he had thoughts of harming himself or anyone else, Hemingway reportedly replied that he was a spirit and “not a physical being.” He also claimed to be the reincarnation of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh, according to the NY Post report. The Florida incident was among a series of encounters reflected in Hemingway’s criminal history. According to authorities cited in the report, six of his 22 previous charges were connected to incidents involving police and a former girlfriend.
What happened at the doctor's home?
Allegheny County police said Hemingway entered Evans' home through a rear window shortly after 12:30 am Thursday and attacked the couple while they were asleep. According to the criminal complaint, Evans' wife escaped to a neighbouring house to seek help. Police found Evans and his wife critically injured inside the home. The couple's two children, aged 8 and 12, were able to get out safely. The wife told investigators that the attacker was wearing only underwear and was talking about God and claiming to be God during the attack. She also recalled her husband calling the suspect “Elijah,” apparently indicating that Evans knew him. Police later found Hemingway hiding behind a nearby home. He had cuts on his hand and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Investigators said Hemingway later claimed that Evans had invited him to the house and attacked him first. Police said they found no evidence supporting that account.
Hemingway's criminal history
Hemingway was arrested earlier this year in connection with a burglary and theft case stemming from a February break-in at an ex-girlfriend's home. According to local reporting, he was released on non-monetary bail despite the pending case. He now faces charges including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and criminal trespass in connection with the Edgewood attack. UPMC confirmed Evans' death and described him as a dedicated pediatric critical care physician and valued member of its medical community.
