Synagogue president found stabbed to death with ‘trail of blood’ leading to home

A horrific, gory trail of blood splattered across the yard, up the stoop and inside the house of Samantha Woll, 40, who was discovered stabbed to death on Saturday in a heinous act of violence. Her body was covered in multiple gashes.

A neighbour called the Detroit police early Saturday morning after spotting the woman, who was the president of a local synagogue, the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue, lying unresponsive on the lawn. They rushed to her aid, but it was too late – Woll was pronounced dead at the scene, the police said.

Woll was known for her political activism and work to unite the faiths in the greater Detroit community, creating the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit several years ago in an attempt to create peace, harmony and friendship between the Jewish and Muslim communities in the US Midwest city located in Michigan.

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The foundation of that organisation, as well as her work with various high-level Democrats representing the area, such as Congresswoman Elise Slotkin and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, led to her being named one of Detroit’s 36 Under 36 by The Detroit Jewish News. The publication said she “exemplified the values of healing the world,” which is called “tikkun olam” in the Jewish faith.

At the time of Woll’s brutal slaying, Nessel had been vying for another term, and Woll had been helping her re-election campaign. The politician said she has never met a woman as kind as Woll, noting that the 40-year-old was “driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder,” she wrote. “Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone.”

Slotkin also released a statement via Twitter, writing: “She did for our team as Deputy District Director what came so naturally to her: helping others & serving constituents. Separately, in politics & in the Jewish community, she dedicated her short life to building understanding across faiths, bringing light in the face of darkness.

“My heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to serving others in such a senseless act,” she continued. “I’ll miss her relentless desire to serve & her bright smile seemingly everywhere across the Detroit area. Team Slotkin shares in the deep grief of her family & her greater community.”

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan added his own sympathies to the tally, saying in a statement that she was “one of Detroit’s great young leaders” and that she “has left a huge hole in the Detroit community.”

“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,” he said. “This entire city joins with her family and friends in mourning her tragic death.”

Woll’s body was discovered at approximately 6:30am on Saturday in front of her home in the 1300 block of Joliet Place in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood of Detroit.

The police have yet to determine a motive for the slaying. The synagogue called the death “unexpected” and also added that it doesn’t have any more information about Woll’s death but that any they acquire will be shared when it becomes available.