Police searching for answers after stabbing death of Detroit synagogue president | US News
Investigators are searching for answers after the president of a Detroit synagogue was found stabbed to death outside her home on Saturday.
Samantha Woll was found dead outside her home at the end of a ‘trail of blood’ early on Saturday morning.
Woll, 40, was the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue’s board of directors, a large synagogue in central Detroit.
She was also a fixture in Michigan Democratic Party politics, previously serving as an aide to Rep Elissa Slotkin and a campaign staffer for state Senator Stephanie Chang and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Woll was found around 6.30am on Saturday morning after a neighbor called 911 to report an unresponsive person in Lafayette Park, an upscale neighborhood in central Detroit.
Police arrived to find Woll dead at the scene after suffering multiple stab wounds. There were no signs of forced entry at her home, and she seemed to be suffering from no defensive wounds.
‘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,’ Detroit Police Corporal Dan Donakowski said.
Days later, investigators have still not identified a suspect or motive in the brutal slaying.
Police in Detroit urged caution, asking residents not to jump to conclusion until the ongoing investigation has concluded.
‘Understandably, this crime leaves many unanswered questions,’ Detroit Police Chief James White said. ‘This matter is under investigation, and I am asking that everyone remain patient while investigators carefully examine every aspect of the available information.’
White shared another update on Sunday, stating that ‘no evidence has surfaced suggesting that this crime was motivated by anti-Semitism.’
Investigators are currently reviewing the evidence and establishing a timeline of the events that lead up to Woll’s murder.
Meanwhile, a memorial service for Woll was held at Hebrew Memorial Chapel in Oak Park, Michigan on Sunday.
Monica Woll Rosen, called her sister’s soul ‘beautiful and pure’ and said she was always ready to help those in need.
‘You so deeply wanted peace for this world. You fought for everyone regardless of who they were or where they came from,’ Rosen said.
Tributes also flowed in from politicians and leaders Woll worked with across the state and country.
Attorney General Nessel said she was ‘shocked, saddened and horrified’ by the news of her former staffer’s death.
‘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 said Woll’s death left a ‘huge hole in the Detroit community.’
‘This entire city joins with her family and friends in mourning her tragic death,’ the mayor said.
Rep Rashida Tlaib, who represents Detroit in congress, called Woll a ‘friend’ and a member of her organizing community.
‘I have no words,’ Tlaib said. ‘She always had a sweet smile to offer and the warmest eyes to greet you. Our community is devastated and we are shocked.’
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