Podcast Summary
Podcast: The Free Press Investigates
Episode: Spiral | 1. One of 36 Angels
Air Date: October 21, 2025
Host/Reporter: Frannie Block
Theme: The murder of Samantha Woll, a beloved Detroit community leader and synagogue president, and its impact on her city and community.
Episode Overview
This debut episode of Spiral: Murder in Detroit introduces the story of Samantha Woll — a community organizer, peacebuilder, and president of a historic Detroit synagogue whose brutal stabbing sent shockwaves through the city and the Jewish community. Reporter Frannie Block begins her investigation into the mystery of Sam's murder, its aftermath, and the broader questions about antisemitic violence and community trust.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The History and Revival of Detroit's Downtown Synagogue (00:07–03:00)
- The historic synagogue, built in the 1930s, once flourished but fell into decline in the late 20th century as the Jewish community moved away.
- Samantha Woll led a major revival, restoring the building and turning it again into a vibrant community center.
- Quote: “She wanted to build an elevator to make it accessible for everybody. She wanted rows of books, both old and new, traditional and modern, and the ark... to look like spokes on a wheel, just like the streets of the city. She loved the streets of Detroit." — Rachel Rudman (02:47)
The Morning of the Murder (03:54–08:34)
- On October 21, 2023, Sam was found dead, stabbed eight times, mere minutes from the synagogue.
- Neighbor Kevin Mull describes discovering her body early that rainy morning.
- Quote: “As I made my way across the meadow, I eventually realized that it was a person... lying on the sidewalk with their back towards him in what I would describe as a fetal position... the skin was blue, the feet were blue.” — Kevin Mull (05:59)
- Police investigation quickly determines she was attacked inside her home, not on the street. No sign of forced entry, and her door was left open.
The Evidence and Early Investigation (08:34–11:22)
- Security footage, ADT alarm data, and neighbor interviews construct a tight timeline:
- Sam returns home from a wedding at 12:30am, uses her phone until 1:35am.
- At 1:20–1:30am, neighbor reports hearing a possible scream.
- Alarm system detects no motion until 4:20am.
- Investigators execute over 150 warrants due to the abundance of cameras in the area.
Family and Friends React to the Tragedy (12:54–17:50)
- Sam's family learns of her death in heartbreaking circumstances, struggling to accept the loss.
- Quote: “This is the worst day of my life.” — Monica Woll Rosen, Sam’s sister (14:29)
- Friends recall her thoughtfulness; for example, Sam sent birthday flowers to a friend in New York the night she was killed.
- Quote: “There was something so utterly heartbreaking and fragile and vulnerable and almost enraging to know that just 12 hours prior to that, she had been living.” — Andy Einhorn (15:46)
- The Jewish community is rattled, immediately suspecting antisemitism, especially in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack in Israel.
Community Fears and Questions of Motive (17:50–22:01)
- Many fear that Sam's murder is a hate crime, intensified by the tense global climate and a recent call by Hamas for a "day of rage."
- Quote: “In my bone of bones, I really feel it’s a hate crime.” — Margo Woll, Sam’s mother (18:34)
- Quote: “If you look at the top five Jewish figures in the city of Detroit at the time, Sam was one of them and I was one of them. So who knows if this was targeted?” — Rabbi Yisra’ El Pinson (20:28)
- However, police—while respectful of the fears—publicly state they find no evidence of hate as a motive.
The Woll Family and Sam’s Legacy (22:01–26:58)
- The episode explores Sam’s close-knit family and her legacy as a community connector and artist.
- Sam’s art, marked with a spiral motif, reflected her joy, activism, and world view.
- Quote: “It was cheerful, colorful, eclectic. Every piece features her unique symbol... a spiral, a continuous loop growing from the center.” — Frannie Block (24:06)
- Family offers details about Sam’s personal warmth, academic background, and tireless activism.
Police Rule Out Hate Crime Motive (25:15–26:40)
- Police leadership explains on record why they believe antisemitism was not the motive: the Jewish symbols in her home were left untouched, no overt signs typically seen in hate crimes.
- Quote: “There’s not one piece of information that demonstrates that this would be any sort of hate crime. The timing obviously does cause people concern, but there’s not anything in the investigation that has led us to that conclusion.” — Captain Matthew Bray (26:17)
The Funeral and Sam’s Influence (27:09–31:48)
- Sam’s funeral draws thousands—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu community members alike.
- Quote: “We have in this room Muslims and Hindus, Catholics and Christians and Jews and all kinds of races, and everyone loved Sam and was affirmed by Sam.” (29:06)
- Public figures, including Rep. Alyssa Slotkin and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, mourn Sam’s loss and cite her importance as a bridge-builder between communities.
- Sam’s principled, Zionist beliefs sometimes placed her at odds with progressive circles, especially after October 7, but she always sought dialogue over division.
The Multidimensional Legacy of Sam Woll (31:48–36:37)
- Sam was described as driven, compassionate, and a “peacebuilder.”
- She felt insecurity about not having a graduate degree but was beloved and admired for her character and achievements.
- Quote: “She’s gotten more accolades and respect than you can possibly imagine. Even if she had 10 degrees.” — Doug Woll, Sam’s father (34:23)
- Just before her death, she had landed her dream job and seen years of community effort come to fruition.
The Mystery and Next Steps (36:37–40:34)
- Despite all efforts, Sam’s friends and family are left bewildered—she had no known enemies, no clear motive for anyone to harm her.
- Quote: “There’s like a concept that there are 36 angels at any given time. And I truly believe she was one of those people.” — Ben Rosen, Sam’s brother-in-law (36:30)
The Open Door and Theories (38:41–40:34)
- Sam’s trusting nature (e.g., leaving her front door open) is described as both beautiful and potentially disastrous.
- A strange figure caught on camera at 4:20am raises new questions, but nothing is straightforward in the case.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “The epitome of goodness.” — Multiple friends and colleagues describing Sam Woll
- “I think she was an angel that walked among us because I do think there are people who genuinely only know how to do good.” — Andy Einhorn (36:12)
- “She was so pro Israel, even though oftentimes the circles she would run in were not, which was very difficult for her at times, especially after October 7th.” — Margo Woll (31:01)
- “She lived her life with a fearless trust in humanity.” — Family and friends, recurring theme
Significant Timestamps
- 00:07–03:00: History and revival of the synagogue; Sam’s role in the community
- 05:59–06:38: Kevin Mull narrates discovering Sam’s body
- 09:42–10:27: Police describe their intensive investigation
- 14:49–16:17: Andy Einhorn receives Sam’s final birthday message and mourns her loss
- 17:50–20:28: Jewish community’s fear of antisemitism and the wider context of October 2023
- 24:06–24:56: Description of Sam’s art and the spiral symbol
- 26:17: Captain Bray’s explanation for ruling out hate crime
- 29:06: Multi-faith funeral gathering
- 36:30–37:01: The 36 angels concept and family’s bafflement over the murder
- 39:34–40:34: Security camera footage and new theories emerge
Tone and Style
The episode maintains a deeply personal, reflective, and investigative tone—balancing the grief and warmth of Sam's life with the tension and confusion of an unsolved murder. Frannie Block and interviewees speak thoughtfully, with moments of heartbreak ("This is the worst day of my life") and admiration for Sam’s legacy.
Summary for Non-Listeners
This first episode draws listeners into what happened to Samantha Woll, a singular community figure, and the bewilderment of a city coping with both loss and unanswered questions. It’s a story not just of one person, but of a community’s resilience, fear, and search for justice amid suspicion and mystery. The episode sets up a gripping investigation—rich with detail, personal stories, and the broader implications for Detroit and beyond.