A politically connected community leader presiding over Detroit’s last synagogue was found stabbed to death on Saturday outside her home.
Detriot Police are investigating a possible motive. Police revealed Samantha Woll, 40, was “stabbed multiple times” in an afternoon statement. A trail of blood led away from the victim’s home, where authorities believe the crime occurred.
Woll previously worked for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and assisted Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s reelection campaign.
The Detroit Free Press reports:
Detroit Police Chief James White asked for patience in a statement released Saturday evening and said an update on the investigation would come Sunday. “Over the course of the last several hours, the DPD has mobilized many of its resources and has been leveraging every law enforcement and community resource it has to help further the investigation. Understandably, this crime leaves many unanswered questions.
“I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder,” Nessel said in a statement. “Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known. She was driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country. Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan called Woll one of Detroit’s “great young leaders” and said he recently met with her at the dedication of the renovated synagogue, a project he said she led “with great pride and enthusiasm.”
Since the Israel-Hamas war began, local and federal law enforcement have become increasingly vigilant around Jewish houses of worship, community centers and businesses.
The FBI is aware of the case and is assisting Detroit police as requested, said Gabrielle Szlenkier, a spokesperson for the FBI’s Detroit field office, in an email. The FBI referred all questions to local police.
Woll became president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in 2022.
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