Synagogue Leader Killed in Detroit, Michigan Attorney General Says

The president of a synagogue in Detroit was the victim of a homicide, the Michigan attorney general said on Saturday.

The president, Samantha Woll, 40, who led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was brutally killed, Dana Nessel, the attorney general, said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The Detroit Police did not name Ms. Woll as the victim on Saturday, but it released a statement saying that a woman was found unresponsive on Saturday morning on a street east of downtown and was declared dead at the scene. The location was near Ms. Woll’s home address. The woman had multiple stab wounds, the statement said, and officers observed a trail of blood that led to the victim’s home, where the police say they believe the attack occurred.

The motive for the killing remains unknown, and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Before leading the synagogue, Ms. Woll was a political director for Ms. Nessel. She also worked as a campaign manager for State Senator Stephanie Chang and as the deputy district director for U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, according to Ms. Woll’s LinkedIn profile.

“I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder,” Ms. Nessel said on X. “Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone.”

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement on X that Ms. Woll was one of the city’s “great young leaders” and recalled a moment just weeks ago when they celebrated the renovation of the Downtown Synagogue.

“Sam’s loss has left a huge hole in the Detroit community,” Mr. Duggan said. “This entire city joins with her family and friends in mourning her tragic death.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.