Declaring himself the reincarnated spirit of a famous Egyptian pharaoh, Elijah Hemingway swore he meant no harm to himself or anyone else in a Deltona, FL, parking lot in April 2025.
Moments later, he was yelling as he jumped on top of cars before slamming his fist into a deputy’s face.
Hemingway’s erratic behavior followed a familiar pattern as he racked up 22 charges in Florida and Pennsylvania since 2016, often for violent crimes. Investigators said it culminated Thursday morning in Edgewood when he stabbed beloved UPMC doctor Idris Evans and Evans’ wife while they slept in bed. Evans died, while his wife and children escaped.
Gina Evans later told police Hemingway was “psychotic” and wearing only underwear while ranting about God.
Some of the other charges Hemingway faced included domestic violence and burglary. He was scheduled to appear before a judge next week for an accusation that he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home.
For that charge, he was let out of jail on a non-monetary bond, which has become a focus in discussions about the murder given his lengthy record.
“We never asked for a non-monetary bond. I didn’t think that was right,” District Attorney Stephen Zappala said Friday, revealing that investigators are also in the process of linking Hemingway to a sexual assault. “What court intake does is they run the rap sheets, and they do a proposed bond. I’m not sure what they had proposed.”
Zappala said judges in the county can sometimes be too lenient for burglary suspects, though he said he’s never had a problem with the judge in Hemingway’s case.
Hemingway remained at UPMC Presbyterian to get treated for cuts to his hands Friday. Investigators said they didn’t know when he would appear before a judge.
It’s also not clear how long his trial process will take. Mental health will certainly play a factor in his defense. In addition to his spirit claims, Florida deputies said Hemingway would leave them “crazy” messages during his time in jail.
However, he was evaluated and determined to be competent enough to stand trial, which in Florida meant he was aware enough to know what he was being charged with, the consequences for his charges and the difference between right and wrong.
He ultimately took a plea deal and was sentenced to time served.
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