Dr. Idris Evans, the Pittsburgh physician who was killed while he slept in a violent home invasion, is being remembered throughout the community for his kindness and compassion.
Evans, 46, died Thursday after he and his wife Gina Evans were repeatedly stabbed while they slept in their home along Linden Avenue in Edgewood Borough, police said.
Serving as the medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Evans was referred to as a “dedicated caregiver,” also having served as an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
“A true angel on Earth”
Dr. Hayley Hellstern, a fellow Pittsburgh pediatrician, said that Evans was “a true angel on Earth.”
“He cared for so many children and saved so many lives, and he also participated in the training of hundreds of pediatricians during his career,” Hellstern said.
Hellstern said that she was a pediatric resident while Evans was an attending, and that he was wonderful to work with.
“He had such a special way of putting everyone at ease, even in the most stressful times,” Hellstern said, adding that Evans was “a truly wonderful human.”
Renee Dellaera, a retired nurse who worked at UPMC Children’s Hospital, said that Evans was one of the very best she ever had the pleasure of working with in her 42 years as a pediatric nurse.
“He was so kind, compassionate, caring, intelligent and funny,” Dellaera said. “He treated everyone with respect. Everyone. He was loved by all and touched so many.”
Heather LaFrankie said her son spent more than three months under Evans’ care in a pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital and that she and her family will be forever grateful for the care, compassion, and dedication that he showed by being an exceptional doctor and person.
“The kindness, reassurance, and humanity you showed him meant more to our family than words can express,” LaFrankie said.
Family remembers care he gave their daughter
Casey LaValle remembers his daughter Iris, who died at 16 months old in August, by watching videos of her giggling from her time in the PICU at UPMC Children’s Hospital. These were the good times, along with any time when Evans was the attending physician.
“We were always happy when it was his week because we knew we’d get good collaborative care from him,” LaValle said.
From the time they met when Iris was 8 months old to her death, during those weeks with Evans, they would see him every day, multiple times a day.
LaValle said Evans showed so much compassion and care as Iris faced a neurodegenerative mitochondrial disease.
“When you’re dealing with a kid that has such complex medical needs, there really isn’t a playbook,” LaValle said. “Every day, you’re really figuring it out, and he was such a big part of us figuring it out.”
When the LaValles learned what happened this week, they were devastated.
“It’s a nightmare situation, and I feel absolutely terrible for him and his family,” LaValle said.
Despite all LaValle’s family has gone through these past couple months, it was important for him to share how much Evans meant to his patients.
“It was that down-to-earthness that really set him apart, and he’s certainly going to be so sorely missed for that,” LaValle said.
What gives them comfort is knowing Evans is now with Iris.
“He arrived in heaven, and she was there to be able to talk and jump around and do all the things she wasn’t able to do here, and gave him a very warm welcome into heaven,” LaValle said.
“A very violent scene”
Elijah Hemingway, 32, has been charged in Evans’ death after investigators said he got into the house through an open window, went to the third floor and started stabbing the couple as they slept. Evans’ wife survived the attack. A motive is unclear at this point.
“It was a very violent scene,” said Allegheny County Assistant Superintendent Victor Joseph. “The bedroom furniture was broken, mirrors broken. It was a very graphic scene.”
According to court paperwork, Evans’ wife told police that they awoke to being attacked in bed with a kitchen knife.
At some point during the attack, she yelled for their 8- and 12-year-old children to get out of the house.
Hemingway has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, burglary and trespassing.
