Arrest Made In Killing Of Detroit Jewish Leader: Police

DETROIT — A suspect has been arrested in the brutal stabbing death of Samantha Woll, who was a well-known Detroit synagogue president, Detroit Police Chief James White said Wednesday.

No details about the arrest were released by police and "will remain confidential at this time to ensure the integrity of the important steps that remain," White said.

"While this is an encouraging development in our desire to bring closure for Ms. Woll’s family, it does not represent the conclusion of our work in this case," White said. "Investigators will be continuing their work with the Wayne County Prosecutors Office until the conclusion of this investigation."

Officers found Woll, 40, dead from multiple stab wounds early Oct. 21 outside her home in the 1300 block of Joliet Place, a neighborhood just east of downtown.

Detroit Police Chief James White said officers then followed a "trail of blood" that led detectives to Woll’s home, where investigators believe she was attacked before she stumbled outside and collapsed where her body was found.

White said officers found her body at roughly 6:30 a.m. Oct. 21, hours after she left a wedding around 12:30 a.m. He would not confirm whether Woll left the wedding alone.

White said there was no sign of forced entry to Woll’s home, or any defensive wounds on Woll. He did not say how many times Woll was stabbed before she died, indicating that releasing some details could harm the investigation.

Police do not believe antisemitism played a role in the killing. Police also said they don't believe any other groups or people are at risk.

"We believe the motivation was very different than a hate crime," White said. "It's horrific, it's tragic."

Woll was well known in the Detroit community and served as the board president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue in Downtown Detroit.

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Samantha Woll, our Board President," the Synagogue said in a statement posted to Facebook. "At this point we do not have more information, but will share more when it becomes available. May her memory be a blessing."