- The suspect was not named but was taken into custody
- Woll, 40, was found stabbed to death outside her Lafayette Park home
- Police do not believe her murder was a hate crime but have not yet revealed a motive
Detroit police have arrested a suspect in the stabbing murder of synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
The suspect has not been identified.
In a statement today, Chief James E. White said, “A suspect has been taken into custody for the murder of Samantha Woll.” While this is an encouraging development in our desire to bring closure to Ms. Woll’s family, it does not represent the completion of our work in this case.
“The details of the investigation remain confidential at this time to ensure the integrity of the remaining important steps.”
Woll was stabbed multiple times in the early hours of October 21st. Police believe she was attacked in her home and then stumbled outside. Her body was found in front of her house.
“Investigators will continue their work with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office until the conclusion of this investigation,” White added.
Woll was stabbed outside her home in the early hours of October 21st
The Jewish leader’s body was discovered outside her home in downtown Detroit after police followed a trail of blood to her property
Police previously confirmed Woll’s death was not a hate crime, but investigators have not yet revealed the suspect’s motive.
“We believe this incident was not motivated by anti-Semitism and that this suspect acted alone,” Chief White said at an Oct. 23 news conference.
Woll was named to the Detroit Jewish News’ “36 Under 36” list in 2017, which described her as a “social justice and political activist.”
“She was instrumental in founding the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit – a grassroots collective of young adults of both faiths who meet in partnership to learn, celebrate and build community,” the glowing profile reads.
She was praised for helping to build and deepen “important relationships” between local Jewish and Muslim communities, where she hosted “revolutionary events, including an interfaith Iftar dinner welcoming Syrian refugees.”
“By reaching out and creating space for connection between Muslims and Jews, she exemplified the values of healing the world.”
Numerous tributes were paid to the synagogue’s president, who was known for her work in building bridges between the local Jewish and Muslim communities
About 1,000 people attended Woll’s funeral on October 22nd.
She had worked for U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and on the political campaign of attorney Dana Nessel, both Democrats.
According to an obituary posted on the website of the Hebrew Memorial Chapel, where her funeral was held, she was considered a supporter of theater, opera and music, as well as an avid mountain hiker.