A major update has been issued by police after Jewish synagogue leader Samantha Woll was stabbed to death outside her home.

Samantha, who had led Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue since 2022, was found dead outside her Detroit home on October 21, hours after returning from a wedding. It was a horrifying murder that sent shockwaves through a community.

As reported by the Mirror, officers have now revealed a suspect is in custody over the murder, which had raised questions about whether it was motivated by antisemitism.

Samantha was a much-loved member of the community and had been involved in several local Jewish organisations. She was a prominent leader in Detroit. Police have not named the suspect but said more details would be given “at the appropriate time."

Detroit Police Chief James White said in a statement. “While this is an encouraging development in our desire to bring closure for Samantha's family, it does not represent the conclusion of our work in this case. The details of the investigation will remain confidential at this time to ensure the integrity of the important steps that remain.”

Samantha was discovered outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighborhood on October 21. A 911 call was received by police about an unresponsive person at about 6.30am. The dead woman had been at a wedding the evening before and left at 12.30am, say police and friends.

Police think she was attacked inside before she stumbled outside her home with fatal wounds. The Police chief insists evidence does not point to a hate crime. He said: “We believe that this particular incident was not motivated by anti-semitism, and that this suspect acted alone,” and suggested police were “just short” of naming the accused.

"Several factors” he said pointed to that conclusion, but would not comment further.to comment further.

At the time of her death it was reported that Attorney General Dana Nessel said she was "as kind a person" as she said she'd "ever known" and was "driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country".

"I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam's brutal murder," Nessel wrote. "Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone."

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin also took to Twitter and wrote: "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."

She added: "My heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to serving others in such a senseless act. 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."

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