'No evidence' death of prominent Jewish leader was motivated by antisemitism
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A prominent Jewish leader in Detroit praised for her work building ties between Jews and Muslims has been found dead with multiple stab wounds outside her home.
Samantha Woll, 40, was president of a local synagogue and had previously worked for two prominent Democrats in Michigan.
Dana Nessel, the state’s attorney general, whom Ms Woll had helped to re-elect, called her death a “brutal murder”.
Her body was discovered outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood, east of downtown Detroit on Saturday morning.
Ms Woll had been president of the board of the city’s last synagogue since 2022.
The Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue said it was “shocked and saddened” to learn of the death of its board president.
“At this point we do not have more information, but will share more when it becomes available. May her memory be a blessing,” the synagogue said.
The synagogue defines its mission as serving “as a beacon for the entire Jewish community of Metropolitan Detroit”, as the last remaining free-standing synagogue in the Midwestern city.
The Detroit Police Department said its homicide unit was investigating and the victim had been stabbed multiple times.
A trail of blood led to Ms Woll’s home, where police said they believe the crime occurred.
She was discovered around 6.30am after police were called to the scene by someone who had discovered her lying on the ground unresponsive.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not yet confirmed a potential motive.
Chief James E. White said: “The DPD has mobilised many of its resources and has been leveraging every law enforcement and community resource it has to help further the investigation.
“Understandably, this crime leaves many unanswered questions. This matter is under investigation, and I am asking that everyone remain patient while investigators carefully examine every aspect of the available evidence. It is important that no conclusions be drawn until all of the available facts are reviewed.”
In a separate statement later on Sunday, the police chief said “no evidence has surfaced suggesting that this crime was motivated by antisemitism”.
Ms Woll was a prominent community activist who in 2017 was named as one of The Detroit Jewish News’s “36 under 36”.
She previously also worked for Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic congresswoman, as well as Ms Nessel.
“I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder,” Ms Nessel said.
“Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known. She was driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country.
“Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone.”
Ms Slotkin said her “heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to serving others in such a senseless act”.
“I’ll miss her relentless desire to serve and her bright smile seemingly everywhere across the Detroit area,” she said.
The Jewish Community Relations Council said it was “absolutely heartbroken” over Ms Woll’s death, remembering her as an “incredible leader, community member, and member of the JCRC/AJC family”.
Ms Woll was President of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue and a board member of the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.
“We are grieving for her family and our community. She will forever be remembered as a ray of sunlight to all who knew her.”
