Prosecutors announced murder charges against a Detroit man Wednesday, who’s currently in custody for the fatal stabbing of Detroit synagogue leader Samantha Woll.
According to NBC News, Michael Jackson-Bolanos, 28, has been formally charged with murder, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy said.
Worthy stated that Jackson-Bolanos was taken into custody on Sunday as part of the ongoing investigation into Woll’s October death. Worthy emphasized that there are “no facts to suggest” any prior connection between Jackson-Bolanos and Woll.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Detroit Police Chief James White said that new evidence prompted the arrest on Sunday. Sources told Detroit News that Jackson-Bolanos has been on detectives’ radar since early in the investigation.
There is no indication that antisemitism prompted Woll’s murder, according to Worthy.
“There’s not a shred of evidence to suggest this was a hate crime,” Worthy said.
Woll, identified as the president of Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue was found dead outside her home early in the morning on October 21, after attending a wedding the previous night.
White said the suspect landed on their radar a few weeks ago and was under investigation for larcenies in the vicinity of Woll’s residence. However, he “timed out,” prompting authorities to release him.
“Once he was released, we kept an eye on him until we had enough to ultimately make an arrest,” White said. “At no time was anyone in our community at risk.”
Investigators previously said they believed Woll was stabbed inside her home and staggered outside, where her body was found later in the morning.
Woll was also a Democratic Party activist, having previously worked for several Michigan politicians, including Attorney General Dana Nessel and US Representative Elissa Slotkin.
Additional reporting by KC Wildmoon
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