Police have released few details from the murder investigation, but previously emphasized that Samantha Woll’s death didn’t appear to be a result of antisemitism.
DETROIT — Police said a suspect was in custody Wednesday in the fatal stabbing of a Detroit synagogue leader whose recent death had raised questions about whether it was motivated by antisemitism.
“As part of my continuing commitment to transparency in this matter, I am sharing with the community that a suspect has been taken into custody for the murder of Samantha Woll,” police Chief James White said. “While this is an encouraging development in our desire to bring closure for Ms. Woll’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,” White added.
Samantha Woll, 40, was president of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. She had attended a wedding Friday, Oct. 20, and left the event around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, the chief previously said.
She was stabbed inside her home and got outside where she collapsed and died, White said. Her home was east of downtown. The 911 call came in around 6:30 a.m.
No charges were announced Wednesday. White’s statement said police still were working with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
The chief repeatedly has said that Woll’s death doesn’t appear to be a result of antisemitism in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. He hasn’t suggested a motive or revealed many details.
About 1,000 people attended Woll’s funeral Oct. 23. She had worked for U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and on the political campaign of Attorney Dana Nessel, both Democrats.
Woll was born and raised in the Detroit area, and was a University of Michigan graduate. She became the president of the board of directors at Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in 2022.
Mourners at her funeral noted the crowd was comprised of people belonging to many different religions, which friends and family said symbolized who Woll was. She was credited for her interfaith work, including by Muslim advocacy groups. Family members said she looked for ways to connect to other movements, including Black Lives Matter.
Colleagues remembered how she loved travel, the arts and had an “infectious smile” that would light up a room. The service included moments of levity about her nature, with jokes about her food allergies and how when she was complimented on something she wore, she would remove it and give it away.
Nessel, who called Woll one of her most enthusiastic supporters, said she had been looking at old photos and marveling at how active she was.
“She was at every campaign event, every political protest, every religious service, every ribbon cutting. I think I saw her in a picture of the moon landing,” Nessel joked. “I don’t know how she could be so many places at the same time.”
The last text message Woll sent was a heart to a friend, according to her sister.
“You sent hearts to cheer people up and let them know you were thinking of them because you cared,” Monica Woll Rosen said, addressing her late sister. “A light has gone out in Detroit, in our hearts, for our people, for the world.”
