Samantha Woll murder updates: Antisemitic motive ruled out in death
Authorities investigating the fatal stabbing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll have said they don’t believe her murder was motivated by anti-Semitism.
At around 6.30am on Saturday, the 40-year-old leader of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue was found stabbed to death at her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood.
Authorities believe she was attacked inside her home and then stumbled out before collapsing on the sidewalk.
On Monday, Detroit Police Chief James White said at a press conference that his agency is working in partnership with the FBI and Michigan State Police and has already identified persons of interest.
Chief White also said there was no evidence suggesting the murder was a hate crime.
“We are working through what we have identified as some persons of interest ... but we are very early in the investigation,” he said. “We have a number of people who give us interest, we are just short of calling one of the people a suspect.”
Woll once worked as a former aide to Democratic Rep Elissa Slotkin and campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Key Points
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
Police say there are ‘persons of interest’ in Samantha Woll’s murder
Politicians mourn Samantha Woll’s death
Tuesday 24 October 2023 20:47 , Andrea Blanco
Woll was a well-known figure in Michigan politics, working for Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and on the re-election campaign of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, also a Democrat.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer paid tribute to Woll.
“My heart breaks for her family, her friends, her synagogue, and all those who were lucky enough to know her. She was a source of light, a beacon in her community who worked hard to make Michigan a better place,” she said in a statement.
Rep Slotkin also paid tribute in a statement on X: “She did for our team as Deputy District Director what came so naturally to her: helping others & serving constituents. Separately, in politics & in the Jewish community, she dedicated her short life to building understanding across faiths, bringing light in the face of darkness”.
Nessel said that she was “shocked, saddened and horrified”.
WATCH: Detroit police say it is close to arresting the suspect in Jewish leader's killing
Tuesday 24 October 2023 20:06 , Andrea Blanco
Samantha Woll’s neighbour reveals disturbing incident around time of murder
Tuesday 24 October 2023 19:02 , Andrea Blanco
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 Saturday. Police officials said that it is believed she was attacked inside the home and walked to the street before collapsing on the sidewalk.
Authorities have yet to name a suspect in the investigation, but Chief James White said during a press conference on Monday that several “persons of interest” are being interviewed. 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.
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s final text before stabbing death revealed
Tuesday 24 October 2023 18:10 , Andrea Blanco
The grieving sister of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll has revealed her final text before she was stabbed to death over the weekend.
Authorities in Detroit continue investigating 40-year-old Woll’s murder on 21 October as it emerged on Monday that several “persons of interest” are being interviewed by law enforcement.
Detroit Police Chief James White said Woll was attacked inside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood and then stumbled out of her residence before collapsing on the sidewalk, leaving behind a trail of blood that led investigators to the disturbing scene.
Woll, the president at Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was laid to rest on Sunday during a service with more than 1,000 in attendance, including city and state politicians whom she had worked with. The slain community leader’s sister Monica Woll Rosen delivered a eulogy, sharing with mourners that Woll’s final text was a heart emoji sent to a friend.
“You sent hearts to cheer people up and let them know you’re thinking of them — because you cared,” Ms Woll Rosen said, also 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.
Samantha Woll’s final text message revealed
Tuesday 24 October 2023 16:10 , Andrea Blanco
The final text message sent by Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll has been revealed before she was found murdered outside her home on Saturday.
Speaking at her funeral service on Sunday, Woll’s family said that she had sent a heart emoji to a friend “just because”.
Not long later, at around 6.30am on Saturday morning, the 40-year-old leader of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue was found stabbed to death at her home.
What do we know about the stabbing?
Tuesday 24 October 2023 14:58 , Andrea Blanco
Law enforcement said that police received a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am on Saturday.
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 Monday.
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.
Samantha Woll’s sister delivers heartfelt eulogy at funeral
Tuesday 24 October 2023 14:00 , Andrea Blanco
Samantha 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.”
Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s murder not motivated by antisemitism, police say
Tuesday 24 October 2023 13:00 , Andrea Blanco
Authorities probing the stabbing death of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll have said there is no evidence suggesting her murder was motivated by antisemitism.
The Detroit Police Department, Michigan Police and the FBI continue investigating the brutal stabbing of Woll, 40, who was found dead outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood on Saturday morning.
Woll, a former aide to Democratic Rep Elissa Slotkin and campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022.
Law enforcement said that police received a call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am. When officers arrived at the scene, they followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence.
Read more:
Detroit synagogue leader’s murder not motivated by antisemitism, police say
Samantha Woll was ‘instrumental’ in building bridges between communities
Tuesday 24 October 2023 12:00 , Andrea Blanco
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.
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.”
Detroit mayor issues heartfelt statement following death of Samantha Woll
Tuesday 24 October 2023 22:50 , Andrea Blanco
Mayor Mike Duggan issued a statement saying he was “devastated” to learn of Woll’s death.
“Sam’s loss has left a huge hole in the Detroit community,” the mayor said. “This entire city joins with her family and friends in mourning her tragic death.”
Politicians mourn Samantha Woll’s death
Tuesday 24 October 2023 11:00 , Andrea Blanco
Woll was a well-known figure in Michigan politics, working for Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and on the re-election campaign of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, also a Democrat.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer paid tribute to Woll.
“My heart breaks for her family, her friends, her synagogue, and all those who were lucky enough to know her. She was a source of light, a beacon in her community who worked hard to make Michigan a better place,” she said in a statement.
Rep Slotkin also paid tribute in a statement on X: “She did for our team as Deputy District Director what came so naturally to her: helping others & serving constituents. Separately, in politics & in the Jewish community, she dedicated her short life to building understanding across faiths, bringing light in the face of darkness”.
Nessel said that she was “shocked, saddened and horrified”.
Final text message of slain synagogue leader revealed
Tuesday 24 October 2023 10:29 , Rachel Sharp
The final text message sent by Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll has been revealed before she was found murdered outside her home on Saturday.
Speaking at her funeral service on Sunday, Woll’s family said that she had sent a heart emoji to a friend “just because”.
Not long later, at around 6.30am on Saturday morning, the 40-year-old leader of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue was found stabbed to death at her home.
WATCH: Jewish leader Samantha Woll laid to rest
Tuesday 24 October 2023 10:00 , Andrea Blanco
Everything we know about Samantha Woll’s stabbing
Tuesday 24 October 2023 09:00 , Andrea Blanco
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 Saturday. 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 has shocked the local community and city officials, who have remembered her as a beacon of light in the community who sought to build bridges between Jews and Muslims.
Few details about the murder will be released in order to protect the investigation, Chief James White said during a press conference on Monday, but the evidence suggests that the killing was not motivated by antisemitic sentiments.
Read more:
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll was stabbed to death at home. Police have no idea why
Samanths Woll attended wedding hours before being killed, police say
Tuesday 24 October 2023 08:00 , Andrea Blanco
Detroit Police Chief James E. White said police know Woll — who led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue — attended a wedding Friday night and that she left the celebration around 12:30 a.m.
“By all accounts, she was not in any discomfort, she was her normal pleasant self,” Chief White told reporters.
Detroit synagogue president laid to rest
Tuesday 24 October 2023 07:00 , Andrea Blanco
A funeral has been held for the synagogue president who was found stabbed to death at her home in Detroit.
Samantha Woll, 40, was discovered at 6.30am on Saturday by emergency personnel who pronounced her dead at the scene.
Nick Ferris reports:
Funeral held for Detroit synagogue president stabbed to death at home
Police warn the public not to jump to conclusions
Tuesday 24 October 2023 06:00 , Andrea Blanco
The FBI is aware of the incident, and “will assist the Detroit Police Department as requested,” the agency said in a statement to CNN.
Detroit Police Department Chief James E White urged the public not to draw any conclusions until more facts were gathered.
“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,” he said in a statement.
WATCH: Detroit Police Chief James White provides update on Samantha Woll murder
Tuesday 24 October 2023 05:00 , Andrea Blanco
Samantha Woll remembered for her interfaith work
Tuesday 24 October 2023 04:00 , Andrea Blanco
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.”
Detroit police say they've identified several people of interest in synagogue president's killing
Tuesday 24 October 2023 03:00 , Andrea Blanco
Investigators have identified several people of interest in the fatal stabbing of a Detroit synagogue president but would not talk about their connections to the woman during a press conference Monday.
Authorities found 40-year-old Samantha Woll’s body outside her home early Saturday after a caller told police about a person lying on the ground.
Detroit Police Chief James E. White said police know Woll — who led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue — attended a wedding Friday night and that she left the celebration around 12.30am.
He said there was no sign that anyone forced their way into her home and investigators believe Woll was stabbed inside before stumbling into the yard.
“We have a number of people that give us interest. We are just short of calling one of the people a suspect,” he said, adding that investigators believe a suspect “acted alone.”
What do we know about the stabbing?
Tuesday 24 October 2023 02:00 , Andrea Blanco
Law enforcement said that police received a 911 call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am on Saturday.
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 Monday.
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.
Slain synagogue president Samantha Woll ‘fought for everyone’
Tuesday 24 October 2023 01:00 , Andrea Blanco
More than 1,000 people attended Woll’s funeral on Sunday, the Detroit Free Press reports. Senator Stephanie Chang and AG Nessell were among the attendees who delivered heartfelt eulogies during the ceremony.
“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.”
Authorities believe that Samantha Woll’s killer acted alone
Tuesday 24 October 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco
Chief James White said on Monday that his department is seeking a suspect believed to have acted alone, and noted he doesn’t think there is 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.”
Police ask for public’s help in Samantha Woll’s stabbing investigation
Monday 23 October 2023 23:00 , Andrea Blanco
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.
Police have encouraged neighbours to reach out to investigators with any details they recall from the early morning hours of Saturday, no matter how small it may seem.
“If they saw anything ... if they saw someone who is not known to the neighbourhood, someone who was there earlier in the week, or someone who was lurking around, certainly let us know,” the chief said. “Check your video cameras at home, share anything you know with us.”
WATCH: Investigation ongoing into killing of Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll
Monday 23 October 2023 21:47 , Andrea Blanco
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll was stabbed to death in her home. Police have no idea why
Monday 23 October 2023 20:41 , Andrea Blanco
Authorities in Detroit believe that 40-year-old Samantha Woll was attacked inside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood.
Woll, the president of Isaac Agree Downtown synagogue, left a trail of blood as she stumbled outside of her home and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
Andrea Blanco reports:
Synagogue leader Samantha Woll was stabbed to death at home. Police have no idea why
Police say there are ‘persons of interest’ in Samantha Woll’s murder
Monday 23 October 2023 19:55 , Andrea Blanco
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. “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.
Samantha Woll was attacked inside her home, police say
Monday 23 October 2023 19:51 , Andrea Blanco
Woll was stabbed multiple times inside her home, Chief Jaems White said during a press conference on Monday.
She is then believed to have stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
He also said there was no evidence of forced entry at Woll’s home and there were no signs that she tried to defend herself.
The chief said that investigators are trying to establish a timeline of the days and hours leading to Woll’s death.
Samantha Woll was attacked inside her home, police say
Monday 23 October 2023 19:50 , Andrea Blanco
Woll was stabbed multiple times inside her home, Chief Jaems White said during a press conference on Monday.
She is then believed to have stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk.
He also said there was no evidence of forced entry at Woll’s home and there were no signs that she tried to defend herself.
The chief said that investigators are trying to establish a timeline of the days and hours leading to Woll’s death.
What was the motive in Samantha Woll’s murder?
Monday 23 October 2023 19:25 , Andrea Blanco
A motive in Woll’s murder has yet to be established.
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.
Cpl Donakowski said in a statement that investigators had found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched.
“I again ask the community to remain patient while our investigators and law enforcement partners continue their work,” Chief White said in a statement. “Everything that can be done to bring this matter to closure is being called into service.”
Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll’s murder not motivated by antisemitism, police say
Monday 23 October 2023 17:49 , Andrea Blanco
Authorities probing the stabbing death of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll have said there is no evidence suggesting her murder was motivated by antisemitism.
The Detroit Police Department, Michigan Police and the FBI continue investigating the brutal stabbing of Woll, 40, who was found dead outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood on Saturday morning.
Woll, a former aide to Democratic Rep Elissa Slotkin and campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022.
Law enforcement said that police received a call reporting a person lying on the ground unresponsive around 6.30am. When officers arrived at the scene, they followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence.
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. Cpl Donakowski said in a statement that investigators had found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched.
Funeral held for Detroit synagogue president stabbed to death at her home
Monday 23 October 2023 16:45 , Andrea Blanco
A funeral has been held for the synagogue president who was found stabbed to death at her home in Detroit.
Samantha Woll, 40, was discovered at 6.30am on Saturday by emergency personnel who pronounced her dead at the scene.
Woll, who led the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue, was remembered as a driving force behind the establishment of the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit, and an organizer of events to welcome Syrian refugees.
A motive has not been identified in the killing and the incident is under investigation, a spokesperson for Detroit Police Department told The Independent.
Read more:
Funeral held for Detroit synagogue president stabbed to death at home
Samantha Woll praised her interfaith work
Monday 23 October 2023 16:15 , Andrea Blanco
The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations called her death a “tragic loss,” noting interfaith work with Woll’s congregation. That included a prayer vigil for the victims of the deadly 2018 attack on a Pennsylvania synagogue.
“We are troubled by the horrific murder of Samantha Woll, a beloved leader within her faith community in Metro Detroit,” said Dawud Walid, the Muslim advocacy group’s executive director, in a Saturday statement.
Synagogue leader’s death was not hate crime, police say
Monday 23 October 2023 15:45 , Andrea Blanco
Detroit Police Chief James E. White said the killing has left many unanswered questions, and he asked the public to be patient as investigators examine all available evidence.
In a statement late Saturday, he said the department had “mobilized many of its resources and has been leveraging every law enforcement and community resource it has to help further the investigation.”
Detroit police, Michigan State Police and the FBI are investigating Woll’s death as a homicide but there is no evidence suggesting the murder was a hate crime, police said.
Authorities said that they found a large Israeli flag in Woll’s home that was left untouched.
Officials mourn Samantha Woll’s death
Monday 23 October 2023 15:15 , Andrea Blanco
In a statement, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Woll’s death was heartbreaking.
“She was a source of light, a beacon in her community who worked hard to make Michigan a better place,” the governor said.
Michigan State Police were assigned to support the Detroit Police Department in the investigation, Whitmer said.
Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying she was “shocked, saddened and horrified.”
Woll once worked as a staffer for Ms Nessel.
“Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known,” Nessel said. “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.”
Democratic Rep Elissa Slotkin, who Woll worked for as an aide, also commented on X, saying she was “heartbroken at this news.”
Duggan issued a statement saying he was “devastated” to learn of Woll’s death.
“Sam’s loss has left a huge hole in the Detroit community,” the mayor said. “This entire city joins with her family and friends in mourning her tragic death.”
Samantha Woll’s body was found outside her home in Detroit, police said
Monday 23 October 2023 14:45 , Andrea Blanco
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the killing of synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
Authorities in Detroit said Woll’s body was found at her home Saturday morning after someone called officers to alert them of a person lying on the ground unresponsive.
“While at the scene, police officers observed a trail of blood leading officers to the victim’s residence, which is where the crime is believed to have occurred,” Cpl Dan Donakowski said.
Woll, 40, had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022.
