Samantha Woll murder update: New details revealed in suspect’s release
A suspect arrested over the killing of Samantha Woll has been released by police in Detroit without charge, his attorney says.
Detroit police announced the suspect’s arrest earlier this week, the first major development in the investigation since Woll was found brutally murdered at her home in Detroit’s Lafayette Park neighbourhood on 21 October.
The unnamed man, who reportedly knew Woll, was released on Friday, his attorney Allison Kriger told the Detroit Free Press.
An “ambiguous statement” the suspect made to police is being probed by investigators, according to the Detroit News.
Under Michigan state law, criminal suspects must be charged within 72 hours of their arrest.
Ms Kriger did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent. Detroit police are yet to confirm his release, and did not respond to a request for comment.
Authorities believe Woll was attacked inside her home and then stumbled out before collapsing on the sidewalk.
Police have said they have not found any evidence linking the shocking killing to antisemitism.
Detroit Police Chief James White stressed earlier this week that the arrest did not “represent the conclusion of our work in this case”.
Key Points
Suspect released by Detroit police without charge
A Detroit synagogue president was found stabbed to death at her home. Police don’t have a motive
Funeral held for synagogue leader found stabbed to death outside her home
Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s murder not motivated by antisemitism
Detroit police offer $15k reward for info leading to arrest of killer
11:53 , Rachel Sharp
Detroit police are now offering a $15,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Samantha Woll’s killer.
Crime Stoppers of Michigan announced the cash reward on Tuesday – as more than a month has now passed since the synagogue leader was brutally murdered at her home.
“This crime reflects a common challenge in our line of work, when an arrest is made as the investigation unfolds,” the Detroit Police Department said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We appeal to the community for any information and appreciate your patience as investigators thoroughly examine every aspect of this case. Our heartfelt thoughts remain with Ms Woll’s loved ones.”
Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:42 , Kelly Rissman
More details about the previously detained suspect, revealed
On 8 November, police announced that they had taken a suspect into custody — however, authorities withheld his name and any charges against him. Although police did not identify the suspect’s gender, sources told ClickonDetroit that a man had been arrested.
That person was then set free on 10 November without charge, police confirmed today.
According to reporting by the outlet, the suspect was taken into custody based on the statements he gave to investigators. However, the suspect was subsequently released because those statements were too ambiguous to press murder charges.
Under Michigan law, suspects can only be detained without charges for 72 hours.
Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:26 , Kelly Rissman
Police confirm the suspect who had been held in custody was released
Samantha Woll Update:
The Detroit Police Department is confirming that the suspect in question was released Friday, November 10th.
Further updates regarding this case will be made at a later date.— Detroit Police News (@detroitpolice) November 14, 2023
Tuesday 14 November 2023 14:00 , Kelly Rissman
The lastest update in a slow rolling case
The unidentified man, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was arrested on Tuesday before being released on Friday, his attorney Allison Kriger told the Detroit Free Press.
Under Michigan state law, criminal suspects must be charged within 72 hours of their arrest.
Woll, 40, was found stabbed to death in her home in Detroit’s Lafayette Park neighbourhood on 21 October.
Tuesday 14 November 2023 12:00 , Kelly Rissman
Why did it take weeks to announce a suspect?
Investigators announced the arrest of a suspect “for the murder of Samantha Woll” on 8 November - nearly two and a half weeks after her stabbing.
Police Chief White called the arrest “an encouraging development” but warned that “it does not represent the conclusion of our work in this case.”
Police did not reveal the suspect’s name or release the intended charges. However, local outlets reported that the suspect was a man.
A day after announcing the arrest, police wrote that they had hit a “critical juncture,” perhaps hinting that they were going to have to release the suspect in custody.
Read the full story...
Why was the Samantha Woll murder suspect released without charge?
Tuesday 14 November 2023 10:00 , Kelly Rissman
Not a hate crime, police say
Chief White said he is confident the crime was not motivated by antisemitism.
Investigators pointed to a large Israeli flag hanging in Woll’s home to support this claim.
On top of Woll’s role as a synagogue leader, speculation grew that her death could be a hate crime due to the rise in antisemitism following the Israel-Hamas war’s outbreak.
The Anti-Defamation League recorded a total of 312 antisemitic incidents between 7 October and 23 October this year; by contrast, last year in the same time period, ADL recorded 64 incidents, including four that were Israel-related.
Tuesday 14 November 2023 08:00 , Kelly Rissman
The timeline
20 October:
Sam Woll attends a wedding.
21 October:
Woll returns home at 12.30am from the wedding. It’s unclear whether she came back from the wedding alone or with someone.
At 6.30 am, police discover Woll’s body. It appears that she was stabbed inside of her home and collapsed later onto her yard.
The initial investigation:
Detroit Police Chief James White said he believed the suspect acted alone, and noted he didn’t think there was a threat to the community at large.
Police said there was no sign of forced entry at Woll’s home or any sign that she tried to defend herself.
Authorities also ruled out that her death was a hate crime, citing the untouched Israeli flag still hanging in Woll’s home.
A law enforcement source told CNN that the police were treating Woll’s death as arising from a domestic dispute.
8 November:
Police announced that they had a suspect in custody for “the murder of Samantha Woll.” No details about the suspect, nor any charges were released.
Under Michigan law, suspects can only be held in custody without charges for 72 hours.
9 November:
Investigators wrote in a statement that they had hit a “critical juncture” in the case.
11 November:
The suspect was released from custody without explanation from authorities.
Tuesday 14 November 2023 06:00 , Kelly Rissman
Social media users are offering condolences on Woll’s last Facebook post
In the comments section of Sam Woll’s last Facebook post, users are expressing their condolences for her family and their love of the late synagogue leader.
“I met Sam at Michigan. She is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever known,” one user wrote.
Another commented, “You’ve been on my heart and I cant process everything thats happening. My heart hurts and I continued to stay in prayer for your family.”
Yet another remarked, “Your radiating energy was immediately obvious to everyone around you.”
Tuesday 14 November 2023 04:00 , Kelly Rissman
Director of Detroit’s American Jewish Committee Asher Lopatin mourns Woll’s death
We are absolutely heartbroken over the murder of Sam Woll, a thoughtful and beloved leader, neighbor, and member of the JCRC/AJC family. We are grieving for her family and with our community.
She will forever be remembered as a ray of sunlight to all who knew her. She was a longtime leader in AJC’s Global ACCESS and ACCESS Detroit Young Leadership Programs and a passionate Muslim-Jewish bridge builder.
We will cherish her memory. May it forever be a blessing.
Tuesday 14 November 2023 02:00 , Kelly Rissman
Why wasn’t the suspect charged?
Under Michigan state law, a suspect can only be held without charges for 72 hours. That charging window appeared to close, as police released the suspect on 11 November. It’s unclear what drove the authorities to arrest the person and it’s also unclear what drove them to release him.
A criminal attorney not linked to the case told the Detroit Free Press that the suspect’s release likely indicates a lack of evidence to support the charges against him. “In a high profile case, they would want to err on the side of caution, move slowly, move methodically, to make sure the decision they make is actually supported by the evidence, especially in a case where the charge is going to be scrutinized,” the attorney, Adam Clements, told the outlet.
Tuesday 14 November 2023 00:00 , Kelly Rissman
What happens next?
At present, it is unclear whether the person arrested last week is still considered a suspect after his release.
If he is, it is likely that police will continue working to collect evidence before a second potential arrest and filing of charges.
If he is not, police will be going back to the drawing board to find a new suspect.
Authorities have remained extremely tight-lipped on the subject, refusing repeated requests for comment from The Independent.
Monday 13 November 2023 23:00 , Kelly Rissman
Murder suspect’s ‘ambiguous statement’ to police
A suspect who was arrested and released without charge over Samantha Woll’s murder made an “ambiguous statement” to police, according to the Detroit News.
The unnamed suspect, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was released on Friday after a 72 hour deadline to charge them lapsed.
Citing four sources, the Detroit News reported that police are continuing to probe the suspect’s statements for irregularities.
Police have not commented on the suspect’s released, but Chief James White said earlier this week that the arrest was encouraging but did not bring their investigation to an end.
Monday 13 November 2023 22:00 , Kelly Rissman
In photos: scenes of the crime
Monday 13 November 2023 21:00 , Kelly Rissman
What do we know about the stabbing?
Law enforcement said that police received a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am on 21 October.
When officers arrived at the scene, they followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence.
Woll was stabbed multiple times inside her home, Chief White said on 23 October. It is believed she then stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
The chief said there was no evidence of forced entry at Woll’s home and there were no signs that she tried to defend herself.
He added that investigators are trying to establish a timeline of the days and hours leading to Woll’s death.
Woll was last seen attending a wedding on the evening of 20 October, which she left at around 12.30am.
“By all accounts, she was not in any discomfort, she was her normal pleasant self,” Chief White told reporters.
The chief said that his agency is working in partnership with the FBI and Michigan State Police and has already identified persons of interest.
“We are working through what we have identified as some persons of interest ... but we are very early in the investigation,” he said, adding that Woll might or might have not known her killer. “We have a number of people who give us interest, we are just short of calling one of the people a suspect.”
Surveillance footage in the neighbourhood does not point directly at residences, making it difficult for investigators to determine who was in the vicinity of Woll’s home around the time she was killed. However, the video could be used to determine travel routes, Chief White said.
Finally, on 8 November, more than two weeks after Woll’s stabbing, Chief White announced in a statement that a suspect had been taken into custody “for the murder of Samantha Woll.”
“The details of the investigation will remain confidential at this time to ensure the integrity of the important steps that remain,” he wrote.
Monday 13 November 2023 20:02 , Kelly Rissman
Disturbing neighbourhood incident that happened before Woll’s murder, revealed
Neighbours of Woll have since come forward with reports that the two driver-side tires on their white Mercedes were slashed when they returned home on Sunday after leaving town for the weekend.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, told Fox News that her car was parked just 200 feet away from Woll’s home — and she and her husband have since notified law enforcement. When asked about the incident as he delivered updates on Monday, Chief White said that his office would be investigating the reports and whether it is connected to Woll’s murder.
A spokesperson for the Detroit Police Department told The Independent on Tuesday that there are no updates in that regard.
Read the full story...
Samantha Woll’s neighbour reveal disturbing incident around time of murder
Monday 13 November 2023 19:30 , Kelly Rissman
Questions linger: Why was the Samantha Woll murder suspect released without charge?
A suspect was taken into custody related to Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s stabbing — but was released days later, tacking on further questions to a case that is drenched in them.
Woll, the beloved 40-year-old president of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was killed on 21 October.
Weeks later, there appeared to be a breakthrough in the case when Detroit Police Chief James White announced on 8 November that a suspect had been arrested “for the murder of Samantha Woll.” Three days later, the suspect was released without charge.
It marked the latest troubling turn in a case with many more questions than answers more than three weeks on from the killing. The Independent investigates the unresolved questions in the Woll case: the motive, the delay of the arrest, the release of the suspect, and what happens next.
Read the full story...
Why was the Samantha Woll murder suspect released without charge?
Monday 13 November 2023 19:02 , Kelly Rissman
Not a hate crime, police say
Chief White said he is confident the crime was not motivated by antisemitism.
Investigators pointed to a large Israeli flag hanging in Woll’s home to support this claim.
On top of Woll’s role as a synagogue leader, speculation grew that her death could be a hate crime due to the rise in antisemitism following the Israel-Hamas war’s outbreak.
The Anti-Defamation League recorded a total of 312 antisemitic incidents between 7 October and 23 October this year; by contrast, last year in the same time period, ADL recorded 64 incidents, including four that were Israel-related.
Monday 13 November 2023 18:02 , Kelly Rissman
WATCH: Rep Elissa Slotkin, Woll’s former boss, asks for moment of silence in her honour
Tonight, I asked my colleagues to join me in honoring Sam Woll with a moment of silence. She had a profound faith in humanity and a passion for interfaith relations – something that is more important than ever right now. pic.twitter.com/WnJTDibK4T
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) November 2, 2023
Monday 13 November 2023 17:23 , Kelly Rissman
The latest on Samantha Woll
On Saturday, a suspect who had been held in custody in connection to the fatal stabbing of a Detroit synagogue leader has been released.
Allison Kriger declined to comment further to The Associated Press beyond saying the suspect was free. Local outlets reported the suspect was a man.
No charges have been filed in the case.
Monday 13 November 2023 17:02 , Kelly Rissman
Samantha Woll’s friend recalls her ‘happy, fun’ final hours
Just hours before she was found stabbed to death on the sidewalk outside of her Detroit home on Saturday, 40-year-old Woll attended a wedding where she celebrated with friends, authorities previously said.
Woll, the beloved president at Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was her “normal, positive, pleasant” self. She left the ceremony shortly after midnight, but nothing about her demeanour could have predicted the horrific attack she would endure in the following hours.
“She was happy, she was having fun,” Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang, a close friend of Woll, told Fox’s LiveNow. “My last memories of her will always be really happy and positive.”
Sen Chang and Woll attended the University of Michigan together and had grown closer in the years that followed through their community work. Woll, who worked as a former aide in Michigan Attorney General Danna Nessel’s reelection campaign last year, was also part of Sen Chang’s campaign.
Read the full story...
Samantha Woll’s friend recounts slain synagogue leader’s final hours
Monday 13 November 2023 15:06 , Kelly Rissman
What was the motive?
A motive in Woll’s murder has yet to be established. The possibility of a home invasion has been ruled out.
Detroit police corporal Dan Donakowski said during an update on Sunday that Woll’s death is being investigated as a homicide but there is no evidence suggesting the murder was a hate crime. He said that investigators had found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Chief White said on 23 October that his department is seeking a suspect believed to have acted alone, and noted he didn’t think there was a threat to the community at large. He also asked the public to be patient and not jump to conclusions as evidence is reviewed and processed.
“We are not in the position to discuss [details,]” Chief White said. “There are certain factors that are only shared by the suspect and our investigators.”
Authorities have asked anyone with information to reach investigators at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
Monday 13 November 2023 14:06 , Kelly Rissman
A criminal attorney explains what happened
Adam Clements, a criminal attorney with no connection to the Woll case, told the Detroit Free Press that the suspect’s release signals a lack the evidence for charges.
“If they made a decision to release someone, it’s because they believe they don’t have enough evidence to charge or they don’t believe it would be in their best interest to charge at that particular time,” said Mr Clements.
He added, “In a high profile case, they would want to err on the side of caution, move slowly, move methodically, to make sure the decision they make is actually supported by the evidence, especially in a case where the charge is going to be scrutinized.”
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Monday 13 November 2023 13:01 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect arrested over the killing of Samantha Woll has been released by police in Detroit without charge, his attorney says.
The unidentified man, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was arrested on Tuesday before being released on Friday, his attorney Allison Kriger told the Detroit Free Press.
Under Michigan state law, criminal suspects must be charged within 72 hours of their arrest.
Full story below.
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
What was the motive?
Monday 13 November 2023 11:01 , Bevan Hurley
A motive in Woll’s murder has yet to be established. The possibility of a home invasion has been ruled out.
Detroit police corporal Dan Donakowski said during an update on Sunday that Woll’s death is being investigated as a homicide but there is no evidence suggesting the murder was a hate crime. He said that investigators had found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Chief White said on 23 October that his department is seeking a suspect believed to have acted alone, and noted he didn’t think there was a threat to the community at large. He also asked the public to be patient and not jump to conclusions as evidence is reviewed and processed.
“We are not in the position to discuss [details,]” Chief White said. “There are certain factors that are only shared by the suspect and our investigators.”
Authorities have asked anyone with information to reach investigators at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
What do we know about the stabbing?
Monday 13 November 2023 09:01 , Bevan Hurley
Law enforcement said that police received a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am on 21 October.
When officers arrived at the scene, they followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence.
Woll was stabbed multiple times inside her home, Chief James White said on 23 October. It is believed she then stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
The chief said there was no evidence of forced entry at Woll’s home and there were no signs that she tried to defend herself.
He added that investigators are trying to establish a timeline of the days and hours leading to Woll’s death.
Woll was last seen attending a wedding on the evening of 20 October, which she left at around 12.30am.
“By all accounts, she was not in any discomfort, she was her normal pleasant self,” Chief White told reporters.
Surveillance footage in the neighbourhood does not point directly at residences, making it difficult for investigators to determine who was in the vicinity of Woll’s home around the time she was killed. However, the video could be used to determine travel routes, Chief White said.
Who was Samantha Woll?
Monday 13 November 2023 07:01 , Bevan Hurley
Woll led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit 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.
“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.
Who killed Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll?
Monday 13 November 2023 05:01 , Bevan Hurley
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.
Andrea Blanco delves into the case for The Independent.
Who killed Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll?
Murder suspect’s ‘ambiguous statement’ to police
Monday 13 November 2023 03:01 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect who was arrested and released without charge over Samantha Woll’s murder made an “ambiguous statement” to police, according to the Detroit News.
The unnamed suspect, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was released on Friday after a 72 hour deadline to charge them lapsed.
Citing four sources, the Detroit News reported that police are continuing to probe the suspect’s statements for irregularities.
Police have not commented on the suspect’s released, but Chief James White said earlier this week that the arrest was encouraging but did not bring their investigation to an end.
Friend recalls Woll’s vibrant personality
Monday 13 November 2023 01:01 , Bevan Hurley
Samantha Woll was attending a wedding mere hours before her fatal stabbing.
Woll, the beloved president at Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was her “normal, positive, pleasant” self. She left the ceremony shortly after midnight, but nothing about her demeanour could have predicted the horrific attack she would endure in the following hours.
“She was happy, she was having fun,” Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang, a close friend of Woll, told Fox’s LiveNow. “My last memories of her will always be really happy and positive.”
Read the full story...
Samantha Woll’s friend recounts slain synagogue leader’s final hours
Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing revealed
Sunday 12 November 2023 23:01 , Bevan Hurley
The slain community leader’s sister Monica Woll Rosen delivered a eulogy at her funeral where she told mourners that Samantha Woll’s final text was a heart emoji sent to a friend.
Read the full story...
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing death revealed
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Sunday 12 November 2023 21:01 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect arrested over the killing of Samantha Woll has been released by police in Detroit without charge, his attorney says.
The unidentified man, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was arrested on Tuesday before being released on Friday, his attorney Allison Kriger told the Detroit Free Press.
Under Michigan state law, criminal suspects must be charged within 72 hours of their arrest.
Full story below.
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Samantha Woll’s neighbour reveals disturbing incident around time of murder
Sunday 12 November 2023 20:01 , Bevan Hurley
A couple who lives near the home where a Detroit synagogue leader was killed over the weekend has revealed a disturbing incident that occurred around the time of the murder.
Samantha Woll, 40, was found stabbed to death at her home in the Lafayette neighbourhood in the early morning hours of 21 October. Police officials said that it is believed she was attacked inside the home and walked to the street before collapsing on the sidewalk.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, told Fox News that her car was parked just 200 feet away from Woll’s home — and she and her husband have since notified law enforcement.
Full story below.
Samantha Woll’s neighbour reveal disturbing incident around time of murder
What was the motive?
Sunday 12 November 2023 19:01 , Bevan Hurley
A motive in Woll’s murder has yet to be established. The possibility of a home invasion has been ruled out.
Detroit police corporal Dan Donakowski said during an update on Sunday that Woll’s death is being investigated as a homicide but there is no evidence suggesting the murder was a hate crime. He said that investigators had found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Chief White said on 23 October that his department is seeking a suspect believed to have acted alone, and noted he didn’t think there was a threat to the community at large. He also asked the public to be patient and not jump to conclusions as evidence is reviewed and processed.
“We are not in the position to discuss [details,]” Chief White said. “There are certain factors that are only shared by the suspect and our investigators.”
Authorities have asked anyone with information to reach investigators at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
What do we know about the stabbing?
Sunday 12 November 2023 18:01 , Bevan Hurley
Law enforcement said that police received a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am on 21 October.
When officers arrived at the scene, they followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence.
Woll was stabbed multiple times inside her home, Chief James White said on 23 October. It is believed she then stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
The chief said there was no evidence of forced entry at Woll’s home and there were no signs that she tried to defend herself.
He added that investigators are trying to establish a timeline of the days and hours leading to Woll’s death.
Woll was last seen attending a wedding on the evening of 20 October, which she left at around 12.30am.
“By all accounts, she was not in any discomfort, she was her normal pleasant self,” Chief White told reporters.
Surveillance footage in the neighbourhood does not point directly at residences, making it difficult for investigators to determine who was in the vicinity of Woll’s home around the time she was killed. However, the video could be used to determine travel routes, Chief White said.
Who was Samantha Woll?
Sunday 12 November 2023 17:01 , Bevan Hurley
Woll had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit 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.
“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.
Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing revealed
Sunday 12 November 2023 16:09 , Bevan Hurley
The slain community leader’s sister Monica Woll Rosen delivered a eulogy at her funeral where she told mourners that Samantha Woll’s final text was a heart emoji sent to a friend.
Read the full story below...
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing death revealed
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Sunday 12 November 2023 14:58 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect arrested over the killing of Samantha Woll has been released by police in Detroit without charge, his attorney says.
The unidentified man, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was arrested on Tuesday before being released on Friday, his attorney Allison Kriger told the Detroit Free Press.
Under Michigan state law, criminal suspects must be charged within 72 hours of their arrest.
Woll, 40, was found stabbed to death in her home in Detroit’s Lafayette Park neighbourhood on 21 October.
The killing of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue president shocked the local community and city officials, who remembered her as a beacon of light in the community who tried to build bridges between Jews and Muslims.
Full story below.
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Who killed Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll?
Sunday 12 November 2023 14:06 , Bevan Hurley
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.
Andrea Blanco delves into the case for The Independent.
Who killed Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll?
What was the motive?
Sunday 12 November 2023 13:00 , Bevan Hurley
A motive in Woll’s murder has yet to be established. The possibility of a home invasion has been ruled out.
Detroit police corporal Dan Donakowski said during an update on Sunday that Woll’s death is being investigated as a homicide but there is no evidence suggesting the murder was a hate crime. He said that investigators had found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Chief White said on 23 October that his department is seeking a suspect believed to have acted alone, and noted he didn’t think there was a threat to the community at large. He also asked the public to be patient and not jump to conclusions as evidence is reviewed and processed.
“We are not in the position to discuss [details,]” Chief White said. “There are certain factors that are only shared by the suspect and our investigators.”
Authorities have asked anyone with information to reach investigators at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
What do we know about the stabbing?
Sunday 12 November 2023 11:00 , Bevan Hurley
Law enforcement said that police received a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am on 21 October.
When officers arrived at the scene, they followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence.
Woll was stabbed multiple times inside her home, Chief James White said on 23 October. It is believed she then stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
The chief said there was no evidence of forced entry at Woll’s home and there were no signs that she tried to defend herself.
He added that investigators are trying to establish a timeline of the days and hours leading to Woll’s death.
Woll was last seen attending a wedding on the evening of 20 October, which she left at around 12.30am.
“By all accounts, she was not in any discomfort, she was her normal pleasant self,” Chief White told reporters.
Surveillance footage in the neighbourhood does not point directly at residences, making it difficult for investigators to determine who was in the vicinity of Woll’s home around the time she was killed. However, the video could be used to determine travel routes, Chief White said.
Who was Samantha Woll?
Sunday 12 November 2023 09:00 , Bevan Hurley
Woll has led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit 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.
“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.
Who killed Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll?
Sunday 12 November 2023 07:00 , Bevan Hurley
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.
Andrea Blanco delves into the case for The Independent.
Who killed Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll?
Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing revealed
Sunday 12 November 2023 05:00 , Bevan Hurley
The slain community leader’s sister Monica Woll Rosen delivered a eulogy at her funeral where she told mourners that Samantha Woll’s final text was a heart emoji sent to a friend.
Read the full story below...
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing death revealed
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Sunday 12 November 2023 03:00 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect arrested over the killing of Samantha Woll has been released by police in Detroit without charge, his attorney says.
The unidentified man, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was arrested on Tuesday before being released on Friday, his attorney Allison Kriger told the Detroit Free Press.
Under Michigan state law, criminal suspects must be charged within 72 hours of their arrest.
Woll, 40, was found stabbed to death in her home in Detroit’s Lafayette Park neighbourhood on 21 October.
The killing of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue president shocked the local community and city officials, who remembered her as a beacon of light in the community who tried to build bridges between Jews and Muslims.
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Murder suspect’s ‘ambiguous statement’ to police
Sunday 12 November 2023 01:00 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect who was arrested and released without charge over Samantha Woll’s murder made an “ambiguous statement” to police, according to the Detroit News.
The unnamed suspect, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was released on Friday after a 72 hour deadline to charge them lapsed.
Citing four sources, the Detroit News reported that police are continuing to probe the suspect’s statements for irregularities.
Police have not commented on the suspect’s released, but Chief James White said earlier this week that the arrest was encouraging but did not bring their investigation to an end.
Friend recalls Woll’s vibrant personality
Saturday 11 November 2023 23:00 , Bevan Hurley
Samantha Woll was attending a wedding mere hours before her fatal stabbing.
Woll, the beloved president at Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was her “normal, positive, pleasant” self. She left the ceremony shortly after midnight, but nothing about her demeanour could have predicted the horrific attack she would endure in the following hours.
“She was happy, she was having fun,” Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang, a close friend of Woll, told Fox’s LiveNow. “My last memories of her will always be really happy and positive.”
Read the full story...
Samantha Woll’s friend recounts slain synagogue leader’s final hours
Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing revealed
Saturday 11 November 2023 22:00 , Bevan Hurley
The slain community leader’s sister Monica Woll Rosen delivered a eulogy at her funeral where she told mourners that Samantha Woll’s final text was a heart emoji sent to a friend.
Read the full story...
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing death revealed
Murder suspect’s ‘ambiguous statement’ to police
Saturday 11 November 2023 21:33 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect who was arrested and released without charge over Samantha Woll’s murder made an “ambiguous statement” to police, according to the Detroit News.
The unnamed suspect, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was released on Friday after a 72 hour deadline to charge them lapsed.
Citing four sources, the Detroit News reported that police are continuing to probe the suspect’s statements for irregularities.
Police have not commented on the suspect’s released, but Chief James White said earlier this week that the arrest was encouraging but did not bring their investigation to an end.
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
Saturday 11 November 2023 21:11 , Bevan Hurley
A suspect arrested over the killing of Samantha Woll has been released by police in Detroit without charge, his attorney says.
The unidentified man, who reportedly attended Woll’s funeral, was arrested on Tuesday before being released on Friday, his attorney Allison Kriger told the Detroit Free Press.
Under Michigan state law, criminal suspects must be charged within 72 hours of their arrest.
Full story below.
Samantha Woll suspect released without charge, attorney says
What was the motive?
Saturday 11 November 2023 20:00 , Bevan Hurley
A motive in Woll’s murder has yet to be established. The possibility of a home invasion has been ruled out.
Detroit police corporal Dan Donakowski said during an update on Sunday that Woll’s death is being investigated as a homicide but there is no evidence suggesting the murder was a hate crime. He said that investigators had found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Chief White said on 23 October that his department is seeking a suspect believed to have acted alone, and noted he didn’t think there was a threat to the community at large. He also asked the public to be patient and not jump to conclusions as evidence is reviewed and processed.
“We are not in the position to discuss [details,]” Chief White said. “There are certain factors that are only shared by the suspect and our investigators.”
Authorities have asked anyone with information to reach investigators at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
What do we know about the stabbing?
Saturday 11 November 2023 19:00 , Bevan Hurley
Law enforcement said that police received a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am on 21 October.
When officers arrived at the scene, they followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence.
Woll was stabbed multiple times inside her home, Chief James White said on 23 October. It is believed she then stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
The chief said there was no evidence of forced entry at Woll’s home and there were no signs that she tried to defend herself.
He added that investigators are trying to establish a timeline of the days and hours leading to Woll’s death.
Woll was last seen attending a wedding on the evening of 20 October, which she left at around 12.30am.
“By all accounts, she was not in any discomfort, she was her normal pleasant self,” Chief White told reporters.
Surveillance footage in the neighbourhood does not point directly at residences, making it difficult for investigators to determine who was in the vicinity of Woll’s home around the time she was killed. However, the video could be used to determine travel routes, Chief White said.
