In an official statement on Wednesday, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy revealed that Michael Manual Jackson-Bolanos, a 28-year-old resident of Detroit, has been formally charged in connection with the tragic murder of Samantha Woll, the president of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit.
The charges brought against Jackson-Bolanos include homicide felony murder, lying to a peace officer, and home invasion, according to Worthy. Notably, there is currently no evidence to suggest that the suspect had any prior connection to Woll, and authorities do not believe the murder was motivated by hate.
Samantha Woll, 40, was discovered outside her home in the Lafayette Park neighborhood on Saturday, October 21. She had attended a wedding the night before and returned home after midnight. Investigators found no signs of forced entry, leading them to believe that Woll was stabbed inside her residence before making her way to the yard where she was ultimately found.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office received a warrant request in the case on Tuesday, following the arrest of a second person of interest on Sunday. A previous arrest was made on November 8, but the individual was released three days later.
Court records indicate that Jackson-Bolanos has a history with the criminal justice system, having been sentenced to prison in 2014 and probation in 2019 for charges related to receiving and concealing stolen property.
A probable cause court appearance for Jackson-Bolanos is scheduled for later this month. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, who has known Samantha Woll for over five years, expressed relief that progress has been made in the investigation. He emphasized the unique qualities of Woll and the need for the community to strive to live up to her standards.
As the Jewish community observes Hanukkah, some are lighting candles in honor of Samantha Woll. Rabbi Lopatin described Woll as a brilliant light that illuminated the community with hope, underscoring the collective sense of loss and the commitment to preserving her memory.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Wednesday that a man has been charged with the murder of Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll. https://t.co/WzqbZDXWnX
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 13, 2023