Major update after Jewish synagogue leader stabbed to death outside her home

09 November 2023 , 15:48

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Major police update after Jewish synagogue leader Samantha Woll stabbed to death (Image: Linkedin)

Police have issued a major update after Jewish synagogue leader Samantha Woll was stabbed to death outside her home.

In a horrifying murder that sent shockwaves through a community, Samantha, who had led Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022, was found dead outside her Detroit home on October 21, hours after returning from a wedding.

Police have now revealed a suspect is in custody over the murder, which had raised questions about whether it was motivated by antisemitism.

Samantha has been involved in several local Jewish organisations which led to her being a much-loved member of the community. She was a prominent leader in Detroit. The suspect has not been named and police said more details would be given “at the appropriate time."

Samantha Woll, left, with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (AP)

Detroit Police Chief James White said in a statement. “While this is an encouraging development in our desire to bring closure for Samantha's family, it does not represent the conclusion of our work in this case. The details of the investigation will remain confidential at this time to ensure the integrity of the important steps that remain.”

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Samantha was discovered outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighborhood on October 21. A 911 call was received by police about an unresponsive person at about 6.30am. The dead woman had been at a wedding the evening before and left at 12.30am, say police and friends.

Detroit police officers work near the scene where Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue president, Samantha Woll, was found dead (AFP via Getty Images)

Cops think she was attacked inside before she stumbled outside her home with fatal wounds. The Police chief insists evidence does not point to a hate crime. He said: “We believe that this particular incident was not motivated by anti-semitism, and that this suspect acted alone,” and suggested police were “just short” of naming the accused..

"Several factors” he said pointed to that conclusion, but would not comment further.to comment further.

At the time of her death The Mirror reported Attorney General Dana Nessel said she was "as kind a person" as she said she'd "ever known" and was "driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country," the Attorney General said in a statement on social media.

Detroit police officers walk near the scene where Samantha Woll was found dead in Detroit (AFP via Getty Images)

"I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam's brutal murder," Nessel wrote. "Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone."

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin also took to Twitter and wrote: "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."

Samantha Woll had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue since 2022 (Facebook)

She added: "My heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to serving others in such a senseless act. I’ll miss her relentless desire to serve & her bright smile seemingly everywhere across the Detroit area. Team Slotkin shares in the deep grief of her family & her greater community."

Graeme Murray