A suspect in the murder of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll has been released without charge after being arrested earlier this week.
The unnamed suspect, who reportedly had close ties to Woll and attended her funeral, was released Friday after being arrested Tuesday in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The release comes after Detroit police said Wednesday they were at a “critical juncture” in the case, having made the arrest but not charged the suspect.
Woll, 40, was stabbed to death in her home on October 21 after returning from a wedding.
Samantha Woll, 40, served as head of the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue since 2022 and was known for her work with several Democratic politicians, including Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin
Earlier this week a suspect was arrested for her murder, but the unnamed man has now been released after police laid no charges
Jewish leader’s body was discovered outside her downtown Detroit home, a trail of blood was found leading to her property
The release, first reported by the Detroit Free Pressalso came after police served a search warrant at the suspect’s home earlier this week.
The arrest was described as an “encouraging development” by Detroit Police Chief James E White on Wednesday.
He added that the arrest “does not represent the conclusion of our work in this case.”
Despite investigators focusing on the alleged killer, Michigan law’s three-day limit means suspects can be released no later than three days after an arrest if no charges are filed.
The stabbing of the Jewish leader fueled speculation that there was a link between the conflict in the Middle East, but there is no indication that the killing had any political or racial motivation.
Woll was discovered outside her home after a local resident followed a blood trail to her property, where it was believed she had been stabbed on her property before stumbling out.
The synagogue’s president had attended a wedding the night before and investigators said there were no signs of forced entry.
White added that investigators were being “very, very careful” with the information they shared, and would not confirm whether she would leave the wedding alone.
She has served as president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue since 2022 and has been praised for her work with Democratic politicians, including Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.
Woll was known for her work with several Democratic politicians and was praised for building bridges between Detroit’s Muslim and Jewish communities
Michigan Attorney General Danal Nessel paid a heartbreaking tribute to Woll (pictured together), saying the Jewish leader was “as kind a person as I have ever known.”
Woll, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene after she was found by a passerby outside her downtown Lafayette home with multiple stab wounds.
Police chief James E White has ruled out a hate crime but insists they must be ‘very, very careful’ about what information they can release
While the investigation into her murder remains stalled, Adam Clements, a criminal defense attorney with the Perkins Law Group who has no connection to Woll’s case, said this likely points to a lack of evidence in the killing.
“If they decided to release someone, it’s because they don’t think they have enough evidence to bring charges, or because they don’t believe it would be in their best interest to bring charges at that particular time.
” serve,” said Clements, who is defending the suspects. of murder in Detroit, told the Detroit Free Press.
“In a high-profile case, they might want to err on the side of caution, proceed slowly and methodically, to ensure that the decision they make is actually supported by the evidence, especially in a case where the indictment will are submitted. examined.’
Tributes quickly poured in for the unmarried activist, known for her work building bridges between the Jewish and Muslim communities, as her synagogue expressed shock over her sudden ‘unexpected’ death.
“We do not have more information at this time, but we will share more as it becomes available,” her synagogue said.
“May her memory be a blessing.”
Woll was named to Detroit Jewish News’ “36 under 36” list in 2017, which described her as a “social justice and political activist.”
Woll had appeared on the Detroit Jewish News “36 under 36” list in 2017, where she was noted as a “social justice and political activist”
“She was instrumental in founding the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit – a grassroots collective of young adults from both faiths who come together to learn, celebrate and build community together,” the beaming profile reads.
She was praised for helping “build and deepen important relationships” between local Jewish and Muslim communities, where she organized “revolutionary events including an interfaith Iftar dinner welcoming Syrian refugees.”
“By reaching out and creating space for connection between Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified the values of healing the world.”
According to the World Population Review, Michigan has one of the largest Muslim populations per capita in the United States.
Investigators have not indicated any connection to the Middle East conflict, but her killing came just days after US Attorney General Merrick Garland warned that the situation puts Muslims and Jewish people at increased risk of threats and hate crimes .
The fatal stabbing also occurred just a week after Palestinian-American boy Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, was stabbed to death in Illinois.
In a heartbreaking funeral speech from her younger sister, Woll was remembered for being selfless and loving in the aftermath of her shocking death.
Samantha Woll’s casket was loaded into a hearse after the funeral service at the Hebrew Memorial Chapel on October 22.
There was “literally no one more caring or thoughtful than you,” her sister Monica said.
‘If someone complimented something of yours, you took it off and gave it to them. Your soul was beautiful and pure – you never said no, but ‘how can I help?’
“You loved my children as your own… you were my older sister, you taught me, protected me, loved me with all your heart,” she said.
“You longed so deeply for peace for this world. You fought for everyone, no matter who they were or where they came from. Your last text message was to a friend – just a heart, to cheer him or her up.
“Sam, I feel like I’m about to wake up from a horrible nightmare, and you’re going to hug me and hold me. This was not the intention.’