Samantha Woolery was an incoming surgical resident at Morehouse.
ATLANTA — The family and friends of a woman brutally attacked and killed in her Marietta apartment over Father’s Day weekend are now processing their loss.
Samantha Woolery, 42, was on a career path to become a surgeon.
Mfoniso Ekpo called Samantha her best friend. Her death has left her heartbroken.
“How am I breathing, and she’s not breathing?” Ekpo said. “It made no sense. I talked to her, just last week.”
A representative with Marietta police said Samantha was found by coworkers after she didn’t show up for her shift. They showed up at her unit at the Lakeside at Town Center Apartments, on Williams Drive, only to find her door was closed — but unlocked. Police said Samantha had wounds all over her body, but have not confirmed her cause of death.
The next day, police confirmed Mickey Anthony Woolery, 49, was arrested for felony murder, felony aggravated assault, felony aggravated battery, felony possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, and felony malice murder. Another agency in Indiana found him and police said he tried to run away, but they caught him. The family described Mickey as Samantha’s husband, though the pair were legally divorced.
Woolery’s sister Tamika Jones told 11Alive the couple had no history of domestic violence.
“We’re just in total shock,” Jones said. “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.
Jones added that Samantha was born in Jamaica and moved to America with a dream of becoming a doctor. She began her career as a nurse but decided to go back and get her master’s and doctorate degrees in Michigan. That’s where she met Ekpo.
“She is love and light and generosity,” Ekpo continued. “I just gravitated towards her.”
Samantha Woolery | Photos
Ekpo said she is devastated she won’t get to see her friend follow her dreams.
“She made medical school tolerable. She was my everything,” Ekpo said.
Samantha took her talents to Atlanta, where she was set to become a surgical resident at Morehouse School of Medicine. The Dean and Executive Vice President of Health Affairs shared a statement, writing that her loss is “profoundly felt” within the school’s community.
“Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Dr. Samantha Woolery, an incoming surgical resident and our 2023 Surgery Intern of the Year. Dr. Woolery, known for her kind spirit and exceptional ability to connect with others, was set to begin her categorical residency,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and condolences are with Dr. Woolery’s family and friends during this time.”
Ekpo said she couldn’t believe someone so close to Samantha could cut her life short — just weeks before her birthday on June 29.
“Life was just getting good,” Ekpo said. “We had so many plans. She was going to be such a brilliant surgeon. So, it’s just so unfair.”
Samantha leaves behind an 18-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. Jones, her sister, said both kids are Mickey’s.
Meanwhile, Ekpo is pushing for justice, adding her friend didn’t deserve this: “This is not supposed to be her story.”
“Justice is … making sure they never see the light of day and they don’t have access to do this to someone else again,” Ekpo said.
Ekpo said Samantha’s daughter launched an online fundraiser to help cover the funeral expenses.
