A funeral is set for a slain Detroit synagogue president as police continue to investigate a motive
Funeral services are set for a Detroit synagogue president who was found fatally stabbed at her home while police continue their investigation into the motive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Funeral services were set Sunday for a Detroit synagogue president found fatally stabbed at her home as authorities investigated a motive and asked the public not to draw quick conclusions.
Samantha Woll, who led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue and was a former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel, was remembered as a community leader who worked to build bridges.
“Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known,” Nessel said Saturday on X, formerly known as 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.”
Funeral services were to take place Sunday afternoon in suburban Detroit.
Detroit Police Chief James E. White said the killing has left many unanswered questions, and he asked the public to be patient as investigators examine all available evidence. In a statement late Saturday, he said the department had “mobilized many of its resources and has been leveraging every law enforcement and community resource it has to help further the investigation.”
Police did not have an update Sunday morning.
Authorities said Woll's body was found at her home Saturday morning after someone called officers to alert them of a person lying on the ground unresponsive.
“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,” Cpl. Dan Donakowski said.
Woll, 40, had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022.
Religious groups in the Detroit area praised her interfaith work.
The Michigan chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations called her death a “tragic loss," noting interfaith work with Woll's congregation. That included a prayer vigil for the victims of the deadly 2018 attack on a Pennsylvania synagogue.
“We are troubled by the horrific murder of Samantha Woll, a beloved leader within her faith community in Metro Detroit,” said Dawud Walid, the Muslim advocacy group's executive director, in a Saturday statement.
Slotkin also commented on X, saying Saturday that she was heartbroken by Woll's death.
“In politics and in the Jewish community, she dedicated her short life to building understanding across faiths, bringing light in the face of darkness,” Slotkin said.
___
Tareen reported from Chicago.