Detroit Synagogue President Found Stabbed To Death Outside Her Home

A Synagogue board president with deep connections to Michigan Democrats was found stabbed to death outside of her home in Detroit Saturday morning.

Samantha Woll, 40, who previously worked for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel, was the president of Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue, a position she has held since last year, The Detroit Free Press reported. She was found on the ground outside her home with multiple stab wounds at around 6:30 a.m. Saturday and pronounced dead at the scene.

“I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder,” Nessel said in a statement. “Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known. 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.”

I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder. Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known. 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. pic.twitter.com/gIYRP4USaj

— Dana Nessel (@dananessel) October 21, 2023

Woll was recognized by the Detroit Jewish News in 2017 for being “instrumental in the founding of the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit — a grassroots collective of young adults of both faiths who gather in partnership to learn, celebrate and build community together.”

Police are investigating and have yet to determine a motive and have not taken anyone into custody. Authorities said they found a trail of blood leading from Woll’s body back to her home where they believe the crime occurred, according to the Detroit Free Press. The synagogue president’s stabbing comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic threats and harassment across the U.S. in the days following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he had just spent time with Woll weeks ago at the “dedication of the newly renovated Downtown Synagogue” and called her one of the city’s “great young leaders.”

“I was devastated today to learn of the loss of one of Detroit’s great young leaders – Samantha Woll,” Duggan said. Just weeks ago, I shared a day of joy with Sam at the dedication of the newly renovated Downtown Synagogue. It was a project she successfully led with great pride and enthusiasm. Sam’s loss has left a huge hole in the Detroit community. This entire city joins with her family and friends in mourning her tragic death.”

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Slotkin also posted a tribute to Woll, saying she was “heartbroken” over the news.

“I and all of Team Slotkin is heartbroken at this news. Sam worked for me from nearly the moment I became a Congresswoman, helping us set up the office & helping to lead it for my full first term,” Slotkin wrote on X, adding, “My heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to serving others in such a senseless act. I’ll miss her relentless desire to serve & her bright smile seemingly everywhere across the Detroit area.”