‘Horrified’: Jewish leader found dead at US home

A prominent Jewish leader has been found dead outside her US home, with police discovering a trail of blood leading to her house.

A prominent synagogue president in Detroit in the US, was found dead outside of her home early on Saturday morning, police said.

Samantha Woll was found with multiple stab wounds and police discovered a trail of blood leading to her home, where they believe the crime was committed.

Police are yet to release a motive for the crime or comment if it was considered a hate crime.

The 40-year-old, who led the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue since 2022 and previously worked with US congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, has been remembered as a “kind” person who was “driven by her sincere love of her community”.

“Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone,” Michigan Attorney-General Dana Nessel, who worked with Ms Woll, wrote on X, adding he was “shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s murder”.

The 40-year-old was found stabbed to death outside her home. Picture: Supplied.

She was remembered as a “kind” person who was “driven by her sincere love of her community”. Picture: Supplied.

The Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue also shared they were “shocked and saddened” to learn about Woll’s “unexpected” death, in a post on social media.

“At this point we do not have more information, but will share more when it becomes available. May her memory be a blessing.”

Others also paid tribute to the 40-year-old online, with one person commenting Woll was “such an amazing person and such a force of positivity”.

“My heart is broken. She was such a light,” said another.
An investigation is currently taking place, and police have assigned the case to the homicide division.

Originally published as ‘Horrified’: Jewish leader found dead at US home