- The suspect has not yet been named, but has been arrested
- Woll, 40, was found stabbed to death outside her home in Lafayette Park
- Police do not believe her killing 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.
Chief James E. White said in a statement today: “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 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 follow.”
Woll was stabbed multiple times in the early hours of October 21. Police believe she was attacked in her home and then staggered outside. Her body was found outside her home.
“Investigators will continue their work with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office until the conclusion of this investigation,” White added.
Woll was stabbed to death outside her home in the early hours of October 21
The Jewish leader’s body was discovered outside her downtown Detroit home after police followed a blood trail to her property.
Police previously confirmed that Woll’s death was not a hate crime, but investigators have yet to reveal 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 mentioned in the Detroit Jewish News2017 “36 under 36” list, 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 from both faiths who come together to learn, celebrate and build community together,” the beaming profile reads.
She was praised for helping “build and deepen important relationships” between local Jewish and Muslim communities, where she organized “revolutionary events including an interfaith Iftar dinner welcoming Syrian refugees.”
“By reaching out and creating space for connection between Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified the values of healing the world.”
Tributes have been paid to the synagogue’s president, who was known for her work building bridges between the local Jewish and Muslim communities
About 1,000 people attended Woll’s funeral on October 22.
She had worked for U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and on the political campaign of Attorney Dana Nessel, both Democrats.
She was remembered as a patron of theater, opera and music and an avid hiker of mountain trails, according to an obituary published on the website of the Hebrew Memorial Chapel, where her funeral was held.
