Funeral services have been scheduled for Samantha Woll, the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit, who was found fatally stabbed at her home. Woll, 40, was a former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and a campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel. She was known for her community leadership and efforts to foster interfaith connections.
Authorities are investigating the motive behind Woll’s killing and have urged the public not to jump to conclusions. Detroit Police Chief James E. White has asked for patience as investigators examine all available evidence. The police department has mobilized its resources and is leveraging both law enforcement and community support to aid in the investigation.
Woll’s body was discovered on Saturday morning after a call reporting an unresponsive person lying on the ground. Police officers at the scene followed a trail of blood that led them to Woll’s residence, where the crime is believed to have occurred.
The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, under Woll’s leadership since 2022, was praised for its interfaith work by religious groups in the Detroit area. The Michigan chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations expressed deep sorrow over Woll’s death, highlighting the collaborative efforts between Woll’s congregation and the Muslim community, including a prayer vigil held in remembrance of the victims of a 2018 synagogue attack in Pennsylvania.
Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic representative, expressed her heartbreak over Woll’s death, emphasizing Woll’s dedication to building understanding across faiths and bringing light in the face of darkness.
