Michael Jackson-Bolanos pleads not guilty to Samantha Woll murder

A suspect has finally been arrested and charged with the murder of well-loved synagogue leader Samantha Woll almost two months after she was brutally stabbed to death at her home.

On Wednesday, 28-year-old Michael Jackson-Bolanos was charged with felony murder, home invasion and lying to police.

Local prosecutor Kym Worthy said at a press conference that the suspect had no prior connection to the victim and that the killing was not believed to be a hate crime.

Jackson-Bolanos maintained his innocence and entered a not-guilty plea on Wednesday.

At his arraignment, new details were revealed about Woll’s murder – and the evidence allegedly linking Mr Jackson-Bolanos to the crime scene.

Woll was stabbed eight times in the attack at her home in Lafayette Park on 21 October, prosecutors said. The attack began inside her home before she stumbled outside and collapsed in the street.

Prosecutors described her murder as a “crime of opportunity” when Mr Jackson-Bolanos was allegedly “prowling” the neighbourhood stealing from cars and came across her open front door.

Woll’s blood has allegedly been found on a jacket that the suspect was wearing on the night of the murder, the court heard.

Key points

• Michael Jackson-Bolanos charged with 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?

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.

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

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.

WATCH: Person of interest in Samantha Woll murder in custody

Wednesday 13 December 2023 06:00 , Graig Graziosi

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

WATCH: Friends, family pray for closure in Samantha Woll case

Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:16 , Graig Graziosi

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.

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

‘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.

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.

Police share details of suspect charges online

Wednesday 13 December 2023 23:30 , Mike Bedigan

Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?

Thursday 14 December 2023 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?

What is a ‘person of interest’?

Thursday 14 December 2023 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 was Samantha Woll?

Thursday 14 December 2023 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.”

Friends of Samantha Woll hope that police are close to cracking case

Thursday 14 December 2023 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.

In pictures: Police patrol the Detroit area where Samantha Woll was found dead

Thursday 14 December 2023 06:00 , Mike Bedigan

WATCH: Moment Samantha Woll is laid to rest in October

Thursday 14 December 2023 08:01 , Mike Bedigan

What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll

Thursday 14 December 2023 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

PICTURED: Suspect Michael Jackson-Bolanos in mug shot

Thursday 14 December 2023 09:59 , Rachel Sharp

Who is the suspect charged in the Samantha Woll stabbing?

Thursday 14 December 2023 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?

Prosecutors reveal evidence linking Michael Jackson-Bolanos to murder

Thursday 14 December 2023 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.”

WATCH: Detroit police announces charges in Samantha Woll murder case

Thursday 14 December 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp

Samantha Woll’s family releases statement after suspect charged with murder

Thursday 14 December 2023 13:08 , Rachel Sharp

Our family is sincerely grateful to the hard-working women and men of the DPD Homicide Task Force who worked around the clock for weeks to thoroughly investigate this tragic crime. Through their dedication and tireless efforts, we firmly believe that they have successfully solved this senseless crime. We cannot thank them enough.

We would also like to thank everyone for their support and prayers. Samantha‘s death is an unspeakable tragedy that has affected not only her family and friends but also those who knew her as a devoted community activist, leader, and bridge builder. She was loved deeply, and her light spread far and wide. We kindly request that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time.”

- Statement from the Woll family

Samantha Woll was stabbed eight times: prosecutors

Thursday 14 December 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Samantha Woll was stabbed eight times in a violent attack that began inside her home, according to authorities.

New details about Woll’s murder were revealed in court on Wednesday when Michael Jackson-Bolanos appeared for his arraignment on murder charges.

In the court hearing, prosecutors said that Woll appeared to have left her front door open after she returned home from a wedding in the early hours of 21 October and fell asleep in the living room.

Around the same time, Mr Jackson-Bolanos was allegedly “prowling” the Lafayette neighbourhood stealing things from cars and came across her unlocked door.

Woll’s home security system picked up movement in her living room at around 4.20am that morning, assistant prosecutor Ryan Elsey said, according to The Detroit News.

Prosecutors said that the attack began inside Woll’s home.

Woll then stumbled outside and collapsed, where she was found at around 6am.

She had been stabbed eight times in the head and neck, prosecutors said.

“She was stabbed eight times. All wounds in and around her head and her neck. Wounds designed to kill her,” Mr Elsey said.

The charges against Michael Jackson-Bolanos

Thursday 14 December 2023 13:54 , Rachel Sharp

Michael Jackson-Bolanos was charged on Wednesday over the murder of Samantha Woll. These are the charges:

- one count of committing a felony murder during the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a larceny and/or a first-degree home invasion

- one count of home invasion

- one count of lying to a Peace Officer during a four year or more crime investigation

Friend of Samantha Woll speaks out after suspect named

Thursday 14 December 2023 15:06 , Andrea Blanco

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 announcement. “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.”

Unanswered questions in Samantha Woll’s murder

Thursday 14 December 2023 16:24 , Andrea Blanco

A motive in Woll’s murder has yet to be established.

DPD has ruled out an antisemitic attack, previously saying that an Israel flag at Woll’s home was left untouched. A source had initially told CNN that the murder was thought to have arisen from a domestic dispute, but the source did not elaborate on what led them to that belief.

However, during the press conference on 13 December, authorities seemed to walk back from that characterisation, saying that they believed there were no connections between the suspect and Woll previous to the killing. Chief White declined questions from reporters on whether the killing had been circumstantial or targeted, and if Woll had tried to defend herself.

He also did not elaborate on earlier remarks that there were no signs of forced entry. Authorities had initially described the main crime scene as the sidewalk where Woll’s body was found, noting that it was believed she was attacked inside her home but a larger amount of blood was found outside.

The chief of police has since said that Woll’s door was found “ajar and unlocked, and a significant amount of blood was inside.”

Ms Worthy declined to speak on potential motives behind the killing, saying that she didn’t want to jeopardise the future criminal trial.

The prosecutor also pushed back against suggestions that the previous unsuccessful arrest could impact the ongoing criminal process, but did not answer why that person of interest, who has since been exonerated, was arrested in the first place,

“We have to investigate every avenue even though we may think that we have the right person in custody — we know that we do today — we have to investigate any and all suspects or persons of interest that may come forward,” Ms Worthy said. “We don’t want to leave any stone unturned. And that means we may have to look at other people, even if it’s believed at the time that they’re not the right one for this case.”

The key piece of evidence that finally caught suspect in Samantha Woll’s murder

Thursday 14 December 2023 17:40 , Andrea Blanco

Chilling details have emerged around how police finally caught the suspect accused of killing Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.

Michael Jackson-Bolanos, 28, was charged with felony murder, home invasion and lying to police on Wednesday – almost two months after Woll was found dead from multiple stab wounds outside her home in Lafayette Park.

So what was the piece of evidence that secured charges against Jackson-Bolanos?

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp reports:

The key piece of evidence that finally caught suspect in Samantha Woll’s murder

Michael Manuel Jackson-Bolanos maintains innocence, enters not-guilty plea

Thursday 14 December 2023 19:17 , Andrea Blanco

Jackson-Bolanos entered a not-guilty plea on the same day that he was publicly identified as the sole suspect in the investigation. His attorney told reporters that his client was innocent and the victim of circumstantial evidence, also noting the previous arrest made in the case.

“It’s pretty significant that they originally arrested an individual prior to arresting my client, I’m going to be looking at the circumstances around that,” Jackson-Bolanos’ attorney Brian Brown said, The Detroit Free Press. “Truthfully, I think it was a lot of publicity this case was receiving, a lot of pressure on the Detroit Police Department to hopefully come up with somebody and my client maintains his innocence — and I think he was just a victim of circumstance and not an individual who perpetrated this crime.”

Samantha Woll’s family thanks law enforcement after charges announced

Thursday 14 December 2023 19:50 , Andrea Blanco

After prosecutors identified the suspect, Woll’s family issued a statement thanking law enforcement for their work in the investigation.

“Our family is sincerely grateful to the hard-working women and men of the DPD Homicide Task Force who worked around the clock for weeks to thoroughly investigate this tragic crime,” Brian Legghio, the family’s attorney, said on their behalf. “Through their dedication and tireless efforts we firmly believe that they have successfully solved this senseless crime. We cannot thank them enough.”

In the immediate aftermath of the killing, Chief White had said that there were no signs of forced entry. However, the chief of police has since said that Woll’s door was found “ajar and unlocked, and a significant amount of blood was inside.”

Suspect in Samantha Woll’s murder previously convicted on car theft

Thursday 14 December 2023 20:20 , Andrea Blanco

According to the Department of Corrections, Jackson-Bolanos was convicted of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle in 2019, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. He spent two years on probation and went on to serve four years in prison over a similar offence, the Free Press reports.

Jackson-Bolanos was arrested on 10 December after he came on law enforcement’s radar due to several car thefts in Woll’s neighbourhood.

Charges stemming from the Woll case were announced on the evening of 13 December, shortly before that deadline expired. Investigators had a 72-hour time limit to either charge him or let him go.

Prosecutor says previous arrest will not jeopardise case

Thursday 14 December 2023 20:50 , Andrea Blanco

Wayne County prosecutor Kym L Worthy pushed back against suggestions that the previous unsuccessful arrest could impact the ongoing criminal process, but did not answer why that person of interest, who has since been exonerated, was arrested in the first place,

“We have to investigate every avenue even though we may think that we have the right person in custody — we know that we do today — we have to investigate any and all suspects or persons of interest that may come forward,” Ms Worthy said. “We don’t want to leave any stone unturned. And that means we may have to look at other people, even if it’s believed at the time that they’re not the right one for this case.”

Officials say suspect did not know Samantha Woll, motive remains unclear

Thursday 14 December 2023 21:47 , Andrea Blanco

DPD has ruled out an antisemitic attack, previously saying that an Israel flag at Woll’s home was left untouched. A source had initially told CNN that the murder was thought to have arisen from a domestic dispute, but the source did not elaborate on what led them to that belief.

However, during the press conference on 13 December, authorities seemed to walk back from that characterisation, saying that they believed there were no connections between the suspect and Woll previous to the killing. Chief White declined questions from reporters on whether the killing had been circumstantial or targeted, and if Woll had tried to defend herself.

He also did not elaborate on earlier remarks that there were no signs of forced entry. Authorities had initially described the main crime scene as the sidewalk where Woll’s body was found, noting that it was believed she was attacked inside her home but a larger amount of blood was found outside.

WATCH: Samantha Woll murder suspect charged

Thursday 14 December 2023 22:00 , Andrea Blanco

What charges is Michael Jackson-Bolanos facing?

Thursday 14 December 2023 23:00 , Andrea Blanco

Michael Jackson-Bolanos was charged on Wednesday over the murder of Samantha Woll. These are the charges:

- one count of committing a felony murder during the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a larceny and/or a first-degree home invasion

- one count of home invasion

- one count of lying to a Peace Officer during a four-year or more crime investigation

PICTURED: Michael Jackson-Bolanos is charged with murder of Samantha Woll

01:00 , Andrea Blanco

Who was Samantha Woll?

02:00 , 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.”

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.

WATCH: 28-year-old Detroit man with history of larceny charged in the murder of Samantha Woll

03:00 , Andrea Blanco

The key piece of evidence that finally caught suspect in Samantha Woll’s murder

04:00 , Andrea Blanco

Chilling details have emerged around how police finally caught the suspect accused of killing Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.

Michael Jackson-Bolanos, 28, was charged with felony murder, home invasion and lying to police on Wednesday – almost two months after Woll was found dead from multiple stab wounds outside her home in Lafayette Park.

Mr Jackson-Bolanos – who has no connection to the victim – had been on the radar of law enforcement for some time before his arrest over the weekend.

He appeared in court for his arraignment on Wednesday, where prosecutors revealed what evidence allegedly ties him to the murder.

Read more:

The key piece of evidence that finally caught suspect in Samantha Woll’s murder

Suspect’s attorney says he is ‘a victim of circumstances’

05:00 , Andrea Blanco

“It’s pretty significant that they originally arrested an individual prior to arresting my client, I’m going to be looking at the circumstances around that,” Jackson-Bolanos’ attorney Brian Brown said, The Detroit Free Press.

“Truthfully, I think it was a lot of publicity this case was receiving, a lot of pressure on the Detroit Police Department to hopefully come up with somebody and my client maintains his innocence — and I think he was just a victim of circumstance and not an individual who perpetrated this crime.”

Man charged with murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll

06:00 , Andrea Blanco

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 Manuel 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.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp reports:

Man charged with murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll

Michael Jackson-Bolanos first came on police’s radar three weeks ago

07:00 , Andrea Blanco

Chief White said that the suspect first came on his department’s radar while detectives investigated several larcenies.

He was arrested on suspicion of larcenies and released before the police department submitted a warrant to the prosecution’s office requesting murder charges against Jackson-Bolanos.

Chief White said that investigators had reviewed countless hours of video and other evidence before the arrest was made.

“We were able to link him to a number of larcenies,” Chief White said. “And then when we brought him for questioning, some concerns came up. We released him but we knew his whereabouts, we knew his movements. At no time was anyone in our community in danger.”

WATCH: Man charged for synagogue leader murder

08:00 , Andrea Blanco

What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll

09:30 , 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 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 quiet for over two weeks before police announced the arrest of a suspect on 8 November. However, that suspect was released without charge as the case appeared to go cold yet again.

A major breakthrough in the case came after a different man, identified as 28-year-old Michael Manuel Jackson-Bolanos, was arrested on 10 December.

Here’s everything we know about the case so far:

What we know about the killing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll

Prosecutor pushes back against criticism for previous arrest

11:00 , Andrea Blanco

Wayne County prosecutor Kym L Worthy pushed back against suggestions that the previous unsuccessful arrest could impact the ongoing criminal process, but did not answer why that person of interest, who has since been exonerated, was arrested in the first place,

“We have to investigate every avenue even though we may think that we have the right person in custody — we know that we do today — we have to investigate any and all suspects or persons of interest that may come forward,” Ms Worthy said. “We don’t want to leave any stone unturned. And that means we may have to look at other people, even if it’s believed at the time that they’re not the right one for this case.”

Samantha Woll’s murder suspect’s previous criminal history

12:00 , Andrea Blanco

According to the Department of Corrections, Jackson-Bolanos was convicted of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle in 2019, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. He spent two years on probation and went on to serve four years in prison over a similar offence, the Free Press reports.

Jackson-Bolanos was arrested on 10 December after he came on law enforcement’s radar due to several car thefts in Woll’s neighbourhood.

Charges stemming from the Woll case were announced on the evening of 13 December, shortly before that deadline expired. Investigators had a 72-hour time limit to either charge him or let him go.

Who is Michael Jackson-Bolanos? Suspect charged in Samantha Woll murder

13:00 , Andrea Blanco

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, Michael Miguel Jackson-Bolanos.

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Who is Michael Jackson-Bolanos? Suspect charged in Samantha Woll murder