After earning her master's and doctorate degrees, Dr. Samantha Woolery, 42, was studying to become a surgeon, but she was already an acclaimed medical professional in Atlanta. An incoming surgical resident at Morehouse School of Medicine, Woolery was “known for her kind spirit and exceptional ability to connect with others, was set to begin her categorical residency,” the school said.

She was also a loving mother of two children.

Sometime over Father’s Day weekend, Woolery was the victim of a brutal attack that killed her in her Marietta apartment.

Mfoniso Ekpo, who told 11Alive that Woolery was her best friend, is devastated over the loss. 

"How am I breathing, and she's not breathing?" Ekpo was quoted as saying. "It made no sense. I talked to her, just last week."

Marietta police said Woolery’s body was discovered by co-workers after she didn't show up for work. 

"She did have some obvious wounds to her body," Marietta Police Public Information Officer Chuck McPhilamy told local media. Officers launched a homicide investigation Sunday morning after receiving a call about a woman stabbed at the apartments.

When officers arrived, they found that the door to Woolery’s apartment at Lakeside at Town Center Apartments was closed -- but unlocked. 

Despite the wounds, the coroner has not released a cause of death yet.

On Monday, June 17, 2024, police in Carmel, Indiana, announced the arrest of 49-year-old Mickey Anthony Woolery, who is Dr. Samantha Woolery’s estranged ex-husband.  Law enforcement said that he had fled Georgia and they found him in his former home of Indiana.

He is charged with felony murder, felony aggravated assault, felony aggravated battery, felony possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and felony malice murder. 

Woolery's sister Tamika Jones told 11Alive that there were no signs of domestic abuse in her sister’s former marriage or relationship afterward.

"We're just in total shock," Jones was quoted as saying. "We just couldn't believe that this...that he would have done this. Like, no way."

Jones told 11Alive her family is in mourning and described Samantha as a beautiful person.

Woolery, who started her career as a nurse, had dreams of becoming a doctor and was on her way. She had just recently graduated from Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and was completing her residency at Morehouse School of Medicine.

A GoFundMe campaign set by Woolery’s family member says this:

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of my beloved mother, Dr. Samantha Banton-Woolery. She was a wonderful person who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love. She was brutally murdered the night of June 15th in her home in Marietta, Georgia.

As my family and I navigate through this difficult time, we are faced with the unexpected costs of her funeral service. We want to give her the beautiful and dignified farewell she deserves, and we are reaching out to our community for support.

I have set up this GoFundMe campaign to help cover the expenses of her funeral and memorial service. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference and help us honor her memory in the way she truly deserves.

Thank you for your kindness, support, and prayers during this challenging time. We are deeply grateful for any assistance you can provide.

Police are continuing their investigation into the murder.