DETROIT (WWJ) – Detroit police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of Samantha Woll, the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue.
More than two weeks after Woll was found stabbed to death outside her home in Detroit, Police Chief James White announced Wednesday a suspect had been taken into custody.
Authorities had identified multiple persons of interest in the case prior to the arrest.
“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 in a statement.
White said the details of the investigation will remain confidential at this time “to ensure the integrity of the important steps that remain.”
Investigators will continue working with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office as the investigation continues, he said.
Officials have said multiple times antisemitism is not believed to be a motive in the slaying of the Jewish leader. A possible motive in the case is not clear.
No information about the suspect was released on Wednesday and Detroit Police say their name will NOT be released.
The department says investigators are at a critical juncture in the case.
Woll was found stabbed to death outside her Downtown home near Lafayette and Chrysler around 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. She had attended a wedding the night before and returned home around 12:30 a.m., officials said the week after her murder.
Investigators discovered she had sustained multiple stab wounds and found a trail of blood leading to her home, which is where they believe the crime occurred.
While Woll was a leader within the Jewish community, she was also connected to Michigan's political world, having previously worked for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, and on the reelection campaign of Attorney General Dana Nessel.
"Sam was said to be kind and caring and compassionate, sincere, loving, a tenacious advocate and supporter of social justice, a woman of great faith with a passion for equal treatment for all people," Nessel said at Woll's funeral.
White said Wednesday further updates on the case "will be made at the appropriate time."
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