WAYNE COUNTY, Michigan – Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Wednesday that a man has been charged with the murder of Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll.
Worthy charged Michael Manual Jackson-Bolanos, 28, of Detroit, with felony murder, lying to a peace officer and home invasion.
Worthy said Wednesday there were no facts to suggest Jackson-Bolanos knew Woll or that the killing was a hate crime.
Woll, 40, the president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, was found outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighbourhood on Saturday, October 21.
Woll had attended a wedding the night before and returned home sometime after midnight.
Investigators found no signs of forced entry into Woll’s home and believe she was stabbed inside her home before making her way to her yard, where she was found.
On Tuesday, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said it had received a request for an arrest warrant in the case.
Prior to the request, Detroit police confirmed that a second person of interest had been taken into custody on Sunday. Authorities arrested another person on 8 November, but released him three days later.
Worthy said Jackson-Bolanos was not the first person to be arrested.
Court records show he was sentenced to jail and probation in 2014 and 2019, respectively, for receiving and concealing stolen property.
Jackson-Bolanos has a probable cause hearing scheduled for later this month.
“It was definitely frustrating not knowing who did this and if they would find someone or if they would never find someone,” said Rabbi Asher Lopatin.
Lopatin, who knew Samantha for more than five years, says the healing can begin.
“Sam was unique and we really miss that and I think we have to work harder to live up to her standards,” he said.
As for the Jewish community, Hanukkah is currently underway, a time when some are lighting candles in Woll’s honour.
“Light is a really appropriate way to remember her because she was this brilliant light that illuminated our community with hope,” Lopatin said.
