Synagogue president found stabbed to death outside her home

Samantha Woll was a prominent Jewish leader who had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit, Michigan.

Sunday 22 October 2023 22:22, UK

Samantha Woll, president of the board at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue poses for a photo in Detroit, Oct. 13, 2022. Samantha Woll, a Detroit synagogue president was found stabbed to death outside her home Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 police said. The motive wasn't known. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP)
Image: Samantha Woll 'was driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country'. Pic: AP
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The president of a synagogue in Detroit has been stabbed to death outside her home.

Samantha Woll was pronounced dead at the scene at around 6.30am on Saturday after she was found lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds.

Police said the 40-year-old's killing is not believed to have been motivated by antisemitism.

"No evidence has surfaced" suggesting that is the case, chief James E White said.

"Individuals with information that may further this investigation are being interviewed," he added.

"I ask the community to remain patient while our investigators and law enforcement partners continue their work."

A law enforcement agent walks near the scene near the scene where a Detroit synagogue president, Samantha Woll, was found dead in Detroit. Pic: AP
Image: Ms Woll was stabbed to death near her home. Pic: AP

Ms Woll had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022 and was a former aide to Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin and campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, Detroit Free Press reported.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Ms Woll's death was "heartbreaking".

"She was a source of light, a beacon in her community who worked hard to make Michigan a better place," the governor said in a statement.

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Attorney General Dana Nessel said she was "shocked, saddened and horrified".

"Sam was as kind a person as I've ever known," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"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."

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The city's mayor, Mike Duggan, issued a statement saying he was "devastated" to learn of her death.

"Sam's loss has left a huge hole in the Detroit community," he said.

"This entire city joins with her family and friends in mourning her tragic death."

Police will provide a further update on the case on Monday.

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