Suspect charged in murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll: Live
Charges in the murder of well-loved synagogue leader Samantha Woll have been announced nearly two months after her murder.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said on Tuesday it was bringing charges against 28-year-old Michael Jackson Bolanos. The prosecutor said he had no prior connection to Ms Woll, and said the killing was not believed to be a hate crime.
It is not clear what the charges are or who they seek to charge, however it comes after authorities announced on Sunday that a second person of interest had been taken into custody in the case.
The man has not been identified but two sources toldThe Detroit News that he appears to be a total stranger to Woll and is not the same person who was arrested last month.
In early November, police arrested a first, also unidentified person of interest before releasing him without charge three days later.
Woll was brutally murdered at her home in Lafayette Park n 21 October.
Authorities believe Woll was attacked inside her home and then stumbled out before collapsing on the sidewalk.
The attack instantly sparked fears of a hate crime due to the timing of the attack, just days after the start of the Israel-Hamas war. However, police insisted there was no evidence of it being an antisemitic attack.
Key points
New person of interest taken into custody in Samantha Woll murder
Detroit police find no evidence of hate crime in Jewish synagogue leader’s death
First person of interest released without charge
What happened to Samantha Woll?
Suspect charged in murder case
Prosecutors reveal evidence linking Michael Jackson-Bolanos to murder
11:10 , Rachel Sharp
On Wednesday, 28-year-old Michael Jackson-Bolanos was charged with felony murder, home invasion and lying to police.
He appeared for his arraignment later that day where new details were revealed about Woll’s murder – and the evidence allegedly linking Mr Jackson-Bolanos to the crime scene.
Prosecutors said Woll’s blood was found on a jacket that the suspect was wearing on the night of the murder, the court heard.
The jacket was recovered from the apartment of Mr Jackson-Bolanos’ girlfriend, prosecutors said.
“On a jacket that appears to be consistent with the very same jacket he was wearing that night when she was killed,” said assistant prosecutor Ryan Elsey, according to The Detroit News.
“And when given an opportunity to explain why that blood was there, he couldn’t explain it.”
Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?
10:51 , Rachel Sharp
A major breakthrough in the murder investigation of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll has come, after police announced charges against a new suspect.
Ms Woll, 40, a respected and popular synagogue leader, was found brutally stabbed to death in late October. Authorities believe she was attacked inside her home and then stumbled out before collapsing on the sidewalk.
Here’s what we know so far about the suspect:
Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?
PICTURED: Suspect Michael Jackson-Bolanos in mug shot
09:59 , Rachel Sharp
What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
09:00 , Mike Bedigan
Police have now named a suspect in the investigation into the death of Samantha Woll, the Detroit synagogue leader found fatally stabbed outside her home in late October.
Andrea Blanco looks at everything we know so far about the case:
What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
WATCH: Moment Samantha Woll is laid to rest in October
08:01 , Mike Bedigan
In pictures: Police patrol the Detroit area where Samantha Woll was found dead
06:00 , Mike Bedigan
Friends of Samantha Woll hope that police are close to cracking case
04:00 , Mike Bedigan
Friends of Samantha Woll are holding onto hope that police are close to cracking case following the apprehension of a person of interest over the weekend.
On Wednesday, police named the suspect as Michael Manuel Jackson Bolanos, and announced charges against him.
“We’re hoping this time is different than the last they announced an arrest,” Sam Dubin, a friend of Woll, told Fox2 ahead of the annoucement. “We’re optimistic that hopefully something will come of this.”
He added: “We are hoping from the detroit police department that they are transparent with what they are finding as to not leave us on edge and not leave us in the dark.
“Of course without compromising the investigation, but we truly value communication, especially in such a tough instance as this one.”
Mr Bolanos’ detainment comes after police arrested a first, still unidentified person of interest in November before releasing him without charge three days later.
Police are still yet to establish a motive for Woll’s death in late October.
Who was Samantha Woll?
03:00 , Mike Bedigan
Woll led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022.
She has been remembered by loved ones as a leader who worked to unite people through her interfaith work. Dawud Walid, president of the Council on American Islamic Relations’s Michigan chapter, called Woll’s death a “tragic loss” and praised her efforts to unite the Jewish and Muslim communities in Detroit.
“We are troubled by the apparent homicide of Samantha Woll, a beloved leader within her faith community in Metro Detroit,” Mr Walid said in a statement. “We also send our sincere condolences to her family and friends and to the Detroit Jewish community as a whole for the tragic loss.”
According to a 2017 article by The Detroit Jewish News, Woll was “instrumental in the founding of the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit,” an alliance that helps build bonds between Jewish and Muslim youth.
In this photo released by Kimberly Bush, Samantha Woll, left, poses with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on 4 September, 2022
“By extending her hand and creating space for connection between Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified the values of healing the world,” the article read.
More than 1,000 people attended Woll’s funeral, the Detroit Free Press reports. Senator Stephanie Chang and AG Nessell were among the attendees who delivered heartfelt eulogies during the service.
“Sam did more for our community, our state, our world, our lives in her short time here on Earth than most will ever accomplish in 1,000 lifetimes,” Ms Nessel said in her eulogy, according to The New York Times.
Sen Chang also said that Woll had devoted her time to listening to Muslim and Jewish members of her community following the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. Meanwhile, Woll’s sister Monica Woll Rosen shared with mourners how the slain synagogue president “fought for everyone.”
“You sent hearts to cheer people up and let them know you’re thinking of them — because you cared,” Ms Woll Rosen said, revealing that a friend of her late sister had received flowers from her on the day of her death, according to The New York Post.
“That was you, Sam,” Ms Woll Rosen added. “You didn’t even ask. You just sent flowers and signed 10 other people’s names because you knew it would make the receiver happy — and the others would have wanted to say happy birthday if they knew it was your birthday.”
What is a ‘person of interest’?
02:00 , Mike Bedigan
On Wednesday Detroit police named a suspect in the Samantha Woll murder investigation as Michael Manuel Jackson Bolanos. Mr Bolanos was recently classed as a “person of interest”.
“Person of interest” is a non-official term used by police to describe individuals they believe may have some noteworthy connection to an investigation.
Not all persons of interest go on to become suspects; there should be no presumption of wrongdoing if someone is listed as a person of interest. Some are simply witnesses or turn out to be dead ends for the investigation.
Police had not revealed the names of persons of interest identified in Ms Woll’s investigation until – like with Mr Bolanos– charges were brought.
One other “person of interest”, questioned by police over Woll’s death in November, was later released.
Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?
00:45 , Mike Bedigan
A major breakthrough in the murder investigation of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll has come, after police announced charges against a new suspect.
Here is what we know about 28-year-old Michael Miguel Jackson Bolanos.
Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?
Police share details of suspect charges online
Wednesday 13 December 2023 23:30 , Mike Bedigan
CHARGED ⚖️
Following an investigation by the Detroit Police Department, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged Michael Jackson-Bolanos, 28, of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of Samantha Woll, 40, of Detroit. pic.twitter.com/LSxeJP8LtN— Detroit Police News (@detroitpolice) December 13, 2023
Michael Jackson Bolanos received three charges in murder of Samantha Woll
Wednesday 13 December 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi
Michael Jackson Bolanos, 28, was charged with three crimes in connection to the alleged murder of Samantha Woll.
Those charges are:
First degree homicide felony murder occurring during an attempted larceny and/or home invasion, assault while breaking and entering, and lying to a police officer.
Mr Bolanos was identified as a person of interest on Sunday and was taken into police custody. Investigators had a 72-hour time limit to either charge him or let him go. Charges were announced on Wednesday evening shortly before time expired.
‘The evidence is just not there’ Wayne County prosecutor says regarding hate crime motive
Wednesday 13 December 2023 22:30 , Graig Graziosi
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said “the evidence is just not there” to suggest a hate crime occurred in the murder of Samantha Woll.
Ms Worthy held a press conference Wednesday evening to announce that Michael Jackson Bolanos, 28, had been charged as a suspect in the murder.
When questioned as to whether or not a hate crime had occurred, she said that investigators turned up no evidence to suggest as much.
Man charged with murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:57 , Graig Graziosi
A suspect has been charged with the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll, almost two months after she was found brutally stabbed to death outside her home.
The charges against Michael Jackson Bolanos, 28, come three days after Detroit Police announced that a person of interest was in custody on Sunday, marking a major breakthrough in the case that has rumbled on unsolved since October and coming after a different man was arrested and released without charge last month.
“In an effort to ensure the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no further details will be released at this time. Additional information will be released in the near future,” police said in a statement on Sunday confirming the arrest.
On Tuesday – one day before the 72-hour deadline to charge or release the suspect – the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said it had received a warrant request from Detroit police, indicating that charges were on the way.
READ MORE:
Man charged with murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
28-year-old man charged in the murder of Samantha Woll
Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:51 , Graig Graziosi
Michael Jackson Bolanos, a 28-year-old man has been charged in the muder of Samantha Woll.
The announcement was made Wednesday by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor said there was no indiciation that Mr Bolanos knew Ms Woll or that the killing was a hate crime.
WATCH: Friends, family pray for closure in Samantha Woll case
Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:16 , Graig Graziosi
Second person of interest reportedly a ‘random stranger’ with no connection to Samantha Woll
Wednesday 13 December 2023 19:22 , Graig Graziosi
Investigators in Detroit told The Detroit News that the second person of interest taken into custody in the Samantha Woll murder investigation apparently has no known connection to her.
The second person of interest reportedly “is not an acquaintance of Woll’s and appears to be a random stranger,” according to police.
On Tuesday, Detroit police requested a warrant from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office related to the investigation. That could be a move to bring charges against the person of interest, but as of Wednesday afternoon the request was still in process.
Detroit police ask for community patience as it moves forward with warrant
Wednesday 13 December 2023 16:42 , Graig Graziosi
The Detroit Police Department issued a statement Tuesday urging the public to be patient after it requested a warrant from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office relating to the Samantha Woll murder investigation.
“While this is a very promising step in this investigation, the process of moving from the warrant submission to prosecution can be very involved. We continue to ask for the community’s patience in this matter while we proceed with the important work ahead,” the department said in a statement.
Warrant is ‘being reviewed'
Wednesday 13 December 2023 15:41 , Graig Graziosi
The Detroit Police Department issued a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday. The warrant is reportedly related to the Samantha Woll murder investigation.
“We have a warrant request from the Detroit Police Department and it’s being reviewed,” Maria Miller, a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, confirmed to CNN.
The warrant request was made just hours before police would have been forced to release a second person of interest.
First person of interest said they felt ‘responsible’ for Samantha Woll’s death: report
Wednesday 13 December 2023 14:00 , Graig Graziosi
The first person of interest detained by police investigating the killing of Samantha Woll reportedly told the police he felt “responsible” for the woman’s death.
The admission was reported by the Detroit News, citing four unnamed police sources.
The newspaper filed a FOIA request for bodycamera footage showing the interaction during which the comment was allegedly made, but that request was denied.
Detroit police has not charge that individual with any crimes.
Detroit police chief says department was watching second person of interest immediately after Samantha Woll’s murder
Wednesday 13 December 2023 12:00 , Graig Graziosi
The second person of interest detained in the Samantha Woll murder investigation was reportedly known to police, according to Detroit Police Department Chief James White.
Mr White said Monday that the second person of interest was never a threat to the public and that police had been watching them since the murder.
“At no time was the community in danger, as this person of interest was under continuous investigation,” he said. “The person of interest was taken into custody within an hour of the new information surfacing because investigators were familiar with their whereabouts.”
The individual was taken into custody on Sunday. Police can legally detain a citizen for 48 hours before they must either bring charges against them or let them go.
Detroit police chief: New evidence led to detainment of second person of interest
Wednesday 13 December 2023 10:00 , Graig Graziosi
On Monday, Detroit Police Chief James White explained that new evidence led them to detain a second person of interest related to the murder of Samantha Woll.
The second individual was taken into custody on Sunday and remained in police custody on Monday.
“The public must understand that in the context of complex homicide investigations, it is not unusual for there to be a number of suspects, persons of interest, investigative leads, and evidentiary follow-ups that must be thoroughly examined before investigators are ready to submit a warrant to the prosecutor’s office,” Mr White said in a statement, according to the Detroit News. “In this case, new evidence surfaced with respect to this particular person of interest that necessitated their arrest at this time.”
Wednesday 13 December 2023 08:00 , Graig Graziosi
Police investigating the murder of Samantha Woll took a second person of interest into custody on Sunday.
That individual reportedly was seen near Ms Woll’s house on the day of her murder, according to the Detroit News, citing police sources.
The person of interest was reportedly known to police.
Update: The second man to be taken into police custody following the Oct. 21 fatal stabbing of Samantha Woll has been on detectives' radar since early in the investigation, according to two @detroitpolice sources. https://t.co/Dc3LfjBTX9
— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) December 11, 2023
WATCH: Person of interest in Samantha Woll murder in custody
Wednesday 13 December 2023 06:00 , Graig Graziosi
Deadline looms to charge new ‘person of interest’ in murder
Wednesday 13 December 2023 02:00 , Graig Graziosi
Detroit Police are facing a looming deadline to bring charges against the second person of interest taken into custody for the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
Police confirmed that a person of interest was in custody on Sunday, saying that more details will be released “in the near future”.
The individual has not been identified but two sources toldThe Detroit News that the man appears to be a total stranger to Woll and is not the same person who was arrested last month.
Under state law, an individual can only be held for 72 hours before police must charge or release them.
FULL STORY: Person of interest taken into custody in Detroit murder of Samantha Woll
Wednesday 13 December 2023 00:00 , Graig Graziosi
A new person of interest has been taken into custody in connection to the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
Detroit Police Department confirmed in a statement on Sunday that “a person of interest has been taken into custody in furtherance of the investigation into the murder of Samantha Woll”.
“In an effort to ensure the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no further details will be released at this time. Additional information will be released in the near future,” the statement read.
This marks the second person of interest in the case which has gone unsolved for almost two months, since the synagogue leader was brutally stabbed to death at her home in Detroit.
Read the full story:
Person of interest taken into custody in Detroit murder of Samantha Woll
Prosecutor’s office receives warrant request in Samantha Woll murder case
Tuesday 12 December 2023 22:01 , Graig Graziosi
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Tuesday that it had recieved a warrant request related to the Samantha Woll murder case, according to ClickonDetroit.com.
Obtaining a warrant is a necessary step toward bringing charges against a suspect.
A “person of interest” has been in police custody since Sunday.
Detroit police say no sign of hate crime in Woll’s killing
Tuesday 12 December 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi
Woll’s murder instantly sparked fears of a hate crime due to the timing of the attack, coming just days after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October – storming over the border, killing around 1,200 and taking hundreds of hostages back into Gaza.
Woll was the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit.
She was well-known in the community for working to build bridges between the Jewish and Muslim communities.
However, Detroit police have insisted that there is no evidence of her murder being a hate crime and pointed out that an Israeli flag hanging on the wall of her home was left untouched.
First person of interest said they felt ‘responsible’ for Samantha Woll’s death: report
Tuesday 12 December 2023 18:12 , Graig Graziosi
The first person of interest detained by police investigating the killing of Samantha Woll reportedly told the police he felt “responsible” for the woman’s death.
The admission was reported by the Detroit News, citing four unnamed police sources.
The newspaper filed a FOIA request for bodycamera footage showing the interaction during which the comment was allegedly made, but that request was denied.
Detroit police has not charge that individual with any crimes.
Detroit police chief says department was watching second person of interest immediately after Samantha Woll’s murder
Tuesday 12 December 2023 16:57 , Graig Graziosi
The second person of interest detained in the Samantha Woll murder investigation was reportedly known to police, according to Detroit Police Department Chief James White.
Mr White said Monday that the second person of interest was never a threat to the public and that police had been watching them since the murder.
“At no time was the community in danger, as this person of interest was under continuous investigation,” he said. “The person of interest was taken into custody within an hour of the new information surfacing because investigators were familiar with their whereabouts.”
The individual was taken into custody on Sunday. Police can legally detain a citizen for 48 hours before they must either bring charges against them or let them go.
WATCH: Slain Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll's last text revealed
Tuesday 12 December 2023 15:16 , Graig Graziosi
Second person of interest was reportedly spotted near Samantha Woll’s house on the night of her murder
Tuesday 12 December 2023 14:00 , Graig Graziosi
Police investigating the murder of Samantha Woll took a second person of interest into custody on Sunday.
That individual reportedly was seen near Ms Woll’s house on the day of her murder, according to the Detroit News, citing police sources.
The person of interest was reportedly known to police.
Update: The second man to be taken into police custody following the Oct. 21 fatal stabbing of Samantha Woll has been on detectives' radar since early in the investigation, according to two @detroitpolice sources. https://t.co/Dc3LfjBTX9
— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) December 11, 2023
WATCH: Friends, family pray for closure in Samantha Woll case
Tuesday 12 December 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp
Detroit police chief: New evidence led to detainment of second person of interest
Tuesday 12 December 2023 13:00 , Graig Graziosi
On Monday, Detroit Police Chief James White explained that new evidence led them to detain a second person of interest related to the murder of Samantha Woll.
The second individual was taken into custody on Sunday and remained in police custody on Monday.
“The public must understand that in the context of complex homicide investigations, it is not unusual for there to be a number of suspects, persons of interest, investigative leads, and evidentiary follow-ups that must be thoroughly examined before investigators are ready to submit a warrant to the prosecutor’s office,” Mr White said in a statement, according to the Detroit News. “In this case, new evidence surfaced with respect to this particular person of interest that necessitated their arrest at this time.”
What we know about the murder of Samantha Woll
Tuesday 12 December 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp
Just a mile from the Michigan synagogue that she had led since last year, Samantha Woll’s lifeless body was found in the early morning hours of 21 October. Outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood, Detroit police officers followed a trail of blood to the disturbing scene.
The brutal stabbing of the beloved president at Isaac Agree Downtown synagogue shocked the local community and city officials, who remembered her as a beacon of light in the community who sought to build bridges between Jews and Muslims.
Two days after the murder, Police Chief James White declared that few details about the investigation would be shared publicly to protect the probe. He said the killing was not believed to be motivated by antisemitism, and that persons of interest were being looked at.
The case then went quite for over two weeks before police announced the arrest of a suspect on 8 November. Now, loved ones of Woll who once worked as a former aide to Democratic Rep Elissa Slotkin and as a campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, are awaiting news of the suspect’s name and motive.
Here’s everything we know about the case so far:
What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
WATCH: Jewish leader Samantha Woll laid to rest
Tuesday 12 December 2023 12:00 , Graig Graziosi
IN PICTURES: Crime scene of Samantha Woll’s murder
Tuesday 12 December 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp
ICYMI: Suspect released in fatal stabbing of Detroit synagogue leader
Tuesday 12 December 2023 11:00 , Graig Graziosi
Police identified a person of interest in the muder of Samantha Woll in November.
No charges were brought against that individual, and they were released, dashing the hopes of her loved ones that her murderer had been caught.
Now, a second person of interest is in police custody.
Here’s an account of what happened after the first person of interest was released from custody:
Suspect released in fatal stabbing of Detroit synagogue leader
Friends hold onto hope that police are close to cracking case
Tuesday 12 December 2023 10:30 , Rachel Sharp
Friends of Samantha Woll are holding onto hope that police are close to cracking case following the apprehension of a person of interest over the weekend.
“We’re hoping this time is different than the last they announced an arrest,” Sam Dubin, a friend of Woll, told Fox2. “We’re optimistic that hopefully something will come of this.”
He added: “We are hoping from the detroit police department that they are transparent with what they are finding as to not leave us on edge and not leave us in the dark.
“Of course without compromising the investigation, but we truly value communication, especially in such a tough instance as this one.”
This comes after police arrested a first, also unidentified person of interest in November before releasing him without charge three days later.
Deadline looms to charge new ‘person of interest’ in murder
Tuesday 12 December 2023 10:00 , Rachel Sharp
Detroit Police are facing a looming deadline to bring charges against the second person of interest taken into custody for the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
Police confirmed that a person of interest was in custody on Sunday, saying that more details will be released “in the near future”.
The individual has not been identified but two sources toldThe Detroit News that the man appears to be a total stranger to Woll and is not the same person who was arrested last month.
Under state law, an individual can only be held for 72 hours before police must charge or release them.
WATCH: Friends, family pray for closure in Samantha Woll case
Tuesday 12 December 2023 09:00 , Graig Graziosi
What is a ‘person of interest’?
Tuesday 12 December 2023 08:00 , Graig Graziosi
Detroit police have identified two “persons of interest” with potential ties to the stabbing death of Samantha Woll. One of those individuals was questioned and later released; another remains under police custody.
“Person of interest” is a non-official term used by police to describe individuals they believe may have some noteworthy connection to an investigation. Not all persons of interest go on to become suspects; there should be no presumption of wrongdoing if someone is listed as a person of interest. Some are simply witnesses or turn out to be dead ends for the investigation.
Police are unlikely to reveal the names of the persons of interest identified in Ms Woll’s investigation unless charges are brought against one or both.
Ms Woll’s loved ones want justice
Tuesday 12 December 2023 07:00 , Graig Graziosi
Samantha Woll’s friends and family are waiting to see if police will bring charges against a second “person of interest” identified by the Detroit Police Department.
Law enforcement initially identified another person of interest, but let them go after a preliminary questioning.
“To learn that a potential suspect was arrested and shortly after hear that the individual was released without any charges, is absolutely devastating news as we all hope and pray every day that closure and justice are attained after such a brutal, senseless act that cost a bright, exceptional woman to lose her life,” Kelly Neumann, one of Ms Woll’s friends, told Fox News.
A “person of interest” has no official meaning; it’s just a phrase police use to describe an individual who they believe is somehow related to the case, but are not willing to name as a suspect for one reason or anoter.
Police can only hold an individual for 48 hours without bringing formal charges against them.
FULL STORY: Person of interest taken into custody in Detroit murder of Samantha Woll
Tuesday 12 December 2023 06:00 , Graig Graziosi
A new person of interest has been taken into custody in connection to the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
Detroit Police Department confirmed in a statement on Sunday that “a person of interest has been taken into custody in furtherance of the investigation into the murder of Samantha Woll”.
“In an effort to ensure the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no further details will be released at this time. Additional information will be released in the near future,” the statement read.
This marks the second person of interest in the case which has gone unsolved for almost two months, since the synagogue leader was brutally stabbed to death at her home in Detroit.
Read the full story:
Person of interest taken into custody in Detroit murder of Samantha Woll
Tuesday 12 December 2023 04:59 , Graig Graziosi
Who was Samantha Woll?
Woll led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022.
She has been remembered by loved ones as a leader who worked to unite people through her interfaith work. Dawud Walid, president of the Council on American Islamic Relations’s Michigan chapter, called Woll’s death a “tragic loss” and praised her efforts to unite the Jewish and Muslim communities in Detroit.
“We are troubled by the apparent homicide of Samantha Woll, a beloved leader within her faith community in Metro Detroit,” Mr Walid said in a statement. “We also send our sincere condolences to her family and friends and to the Detroit Jewish community as a whole for the tragic loss.”
According to a 2017 article by The Detroit Jewish News, Woll was “instrumental in the founding of the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit,” an alliance that helps build bonds between Jewish and Muslim youth.
In this photo released by Kimberly Bush, Samantha Woll, left, poses with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on 4 September, 2022
“By extending her hand and creating space for connection between Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified the values of healing the world,” the article read.
More than 1,000 people attended Woll’s funeral, the Detroit Free Press reports. Senator Stephanie Chang and AG Nessell were among the attendees who delivered heartfelt eulogies during the service.
“Sam did more for our community, our state, our world, our lives in her short time here on Earth than most will ever accomplish in 1,000 lifetimes,” Ms Nessel said in her eulogy, according to The New York Times.
Sen Chang also said that Woll had devoted her time to listening to Muslim and Jewish members of her community following the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. Meanwhile, Woll’s sister Monica Woll Rosen shared with mourners how the slain synagogue president “fought for everyone.”
“You sent hearts to cheer people up and let them know you’re thinking of them — because you cared,” Ms Woll Rosen said, revealing that a friend of her late sister had received flowers from her on the day of her death, according to The New York Post.
“That was you, Sam,” Ms Woll Rosen added. “You didn’t even ask. You just sent flowers and signed 10 other people’s names because you knew it would make the receiver happy — and the others would have wanted to say happy birthday if they knew it was your birthday.”
Who was the first person of interest arrested?
Tuesday 12 December 2023 04:00 , Graig Graziosi
On 8 November – weeks after Woll’s murder – a major breakthrough appeared to come in the case.
Police announced that a person of interest had been taken into custody in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
But, the man – who was never identified by authorities – was released three days later without charge, as the 72-hour charging window closed.
Investigators previously told CNN that her killing is thought to have arisen from a domestic dispute, but it is not clear what led them to this belief.
Since the release of the first person of interest, the case rumbled on unsolved for another month – before a second person was taken into custody this weekend.
Detroit police say no sign of hate crime in Woll’s killing
Tuesday 12 December 2023 03:00 , Graig Graziosi
Woll’s murder instantly sparked fears of a hate crime due to the timing of the attack, coming just days after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October – storming over the border, killing around 1,200 and taking hundreds of hostages back into Gaza.
Woll was the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit.
She was well-known in the community for working to build bridges between the Jewish and Muslim communities.
However, Detroit police have insisted that there is no evidence of her murder being a hate crime and pointed out that an Israeli flag hanging on the wall of her home was left untouched.
What we know about the murder of Samantha Woll
Tuesday 12 December 2023 01:00 , Graig Graziosi
Just a mile from the Michigan synagogue that she had led since last year, Samantha Woll’s lifeless body was found in the early morning hours of 21 October. Outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood, Detroit police officers followed a trail of blood to the disturbing scene.
The brutal stabbing of the beloved president at Isaac Agree Downtown synagogue shocked the local community and city officials, who remembered her as a beacon of light in the community who sought to build bridges between Jews and Muslims.
Two days after the murder, Police Chief James White declared that few details about the investigation would be shared publicly to protect the probe. He said the killing was not believed to be motivated by antisemitism, and that persons of interest were being looked at.
The case then went quite for over two weeks before police announced the arrest of a suspect on 8 November. Now, loved ones of Woll who once worked as a former aide to Democratic Rep Elissa Slotkin and as a campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, are awaiting news of the suspect’s name and motive.
Here’s everything we know about the case so far:
What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll
Watch: Person of interest in Samantha Woll murder in custody
Tuesday 12 December 2023 00:00 , Graig Graziosi
What do we know about the person of interest in custody over Samantha Woll’s murder
Monday 11 December 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi
A new person of interest has been taken into custody in connection to the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
Detroit Police Department confirmed in a statement on Sunday that “a person of interest has been taken into custody in furtherance of the investigation into the murder of Samantha Woll”.
“In an effort to ensure the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no further details will be released at this time. Additional information will be released in the near future,” the statement read.
This marks the second person of interest in the case which has gone unsolved for almost two months, since the synagogue leader was brutally stabbed to death at her home in Detroit.
While Detroit police are currently staying tight-lipped about the individual now in custody, two sources toldThe Detroit News that it is a man who is not an acquaintance of Woll’s – but actually appears to be a total stranger.
The man is also not the same person who was arrested last month, the sources said.
What is a ‘person of interest’?
Monday 11 December 2023 16:12 , Graig Graziosi
Detroit police have identified two “persons of interest” with potential ties to the stabbing death of Samantha Woll. One of those individuals was questioned and later released; another remains under police custody.
“Person of interest” is a non-official term used by police to describe individuals they believe may have some noteworthy connection to an investigation. Not all persons of interest go on to become suspects; there should be no presumption of wrongdoing if someone is listed as a person of interest. Some are simply witnesses or turn out to be dead ends for the investigation.
Police are unlikely to reveal the names of the persons of interest identified in Ms Woll’s investigation unless charges are brought against one or both.
Ms Woll’s loved ones want justice
Monday 11 December 2023 15:14 , Graig Graziosi
Samantha Woll’s friends and family are waiting to see if police will bring charges against a second “person of interest” identified by the Detroit Police Department.
Law enforcement initially identified another person of interest, but let them go after a preliminary questioning.
“To learn that a potential suspect was arrested and shortly after hear that the individual was released without any charges, is absolutely devastating news as we all hope and pray every day that closure and justice are attained after such a brutal, senseless act that cost a bright, exceptional woman to lose her life,” Kelly Neumann, one of Ms Woll’s friends, told Fox News.
A “person of interest” has no official meaning; it’s just a phrase police use to describe an individual who they believe is somehow related to the case, but are not willing to name as a suspect for one reason or anoter.
Police can only hold an individual for 48 hours without bringing formal charges against them.
FULL STORY: Person of interest taken into custody in Detroit murder of Samantha Woll
Monday 11 December 2023 14:00 , Rachel Sharp
A new person of interest has been taken into custody in connection to the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
Detroit Police Department confirmed in a statement on Sunday that “a person of interest has been taken into custody in furtherance of the investigation into the murder of Samantha Woll”.
“In an effort to ensure the integrity of this ongoing investigation, no further details will be released at this time. Additional information will be released in the near future,” the statement read.
This marks the second person of interest in the case which has gone unsolved for almost two months, since the synagogue leader was brutally stabbed to death at her home in Detroit.
Read the full story:
Person of interest taken into custody in Detroit murder of Samantha Woll
What happened to Samantha Woll?
Monday 11 December 2023 22:42 , Graig Graziosi
Samantha Woll, 40, had spent the night of 20 October at a wedding, before returning to her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood at around 12.30am.
It remains unclear if she came home alone or with someone.
Her body was found outside the home at around 6.30am that morning.
A trail of blood led inside the property, prompting investigators to believe the attack began inside, before she stumbled outside and collapsed from multiple stab wounds.
There was no sign of forced entry at her home, police said.
