The quiet suburb of Royal Oak, Michigan, was shattered by a night of unimaginable horror that left one man dead, a toddler wounded, and an entire community struggling to make sense of an act of unprovoked violence. What began as a simple request from a mother to her father to check on his granddaughter spiraled into a nightmare involving a trusted babysitter, a fatal screwdriver attack, and unanswered questions about motive and mental state.
Police say Samantha Booth, a 35-year-old woman known to the family for two years, suddenly turned violent while caring for a three-year-old girl. The girl’s grandfather, David Ong, 83, came to ensure the child’s safety and was brutally stabbed to death with a screwdriver. His daughter and her family are now left mourning a man described as a “gentle giant” and “hero,” while investigators struggle to determine what drove Booth to commit such a gruesome crime.
A Trusted Babysitter Turns Violent
For two years, Samantha Booth had been a familiar and trusted face in the Ong family’s life. She had babysat the toddler multiple times without any previous problems, leading the family to believe she was reliable and caring. But on the evening of October 24, 2025, something went horribly wrong. The toddler’s mother, who was out of town, became worried when Samantha Booth stopped responding to calls and messages. Concerned for her daughter’s safety, she contacted her father, David Ong, and asked him to stop by the Royal Oak home to check in.
Ong, known for his devotion to his family, readily agreed. He arrived at the house around 7:50 p.m. and went inside to ensure everything was all right. But when hours passed without any update, his daughter grew increasingly alarmed. She reached out to her brother-in-law, who immediately drove over to the house to see what was happening. When he arrived, he heard strange noises coming from the basement. Calling out to Booth yielded no response. Moments later, Booth suddenly appeared — covered in blood and in what police described as a “manic state.”
Inside the basement, Ong lay motionless and severely injured from multiple stab wounds. Police say Booth had attacked him repeatedly with a screwdriver in an assault so frenzied that it left the veteran grandfather fatally wounded before help could arrive. Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore later described the scene as “an absolutely horrific crime,” one that shocked even seasoned investigators.
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The uncle’s presence may have prevented further tragedy. As Booth advanced toward him, the man grabbed the child and attempted to escape. But Samantha Booth, still clutching the screwdriver, lunged again and tried to stab him. He fought her off, managing to flee with the toddler and seek refuge in a neighbor’s house. Witnesses told police they heard the man screaming for help as Booth chased him down the street, naked and covered in blood. Neighbors quickly ushered the terrified pair inside and called 911, their actions likely saving both their lives.
When officers arrived minutes later, they followed the bloody trail back to the home. Inside, they found David Ong deceased in the basement. Outside, Booth was apprehended after a brief chase. She had stripped off her clothes and discarded the weapon, seemingly in a psychotic state. Both the child and her uncle were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries and released later that night.
A Crime Without Clear Motive
Authorities have yet to uncover what prompted Booth’s sudden and unprovoked outburst. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced multiple charges against Booth, including first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felony assault, and resisting and obstructing an officer. McDonald praised the bravery of the uncle, stating, “We should all be grateful for his actions that saved the child’s life. David Ong’s murder is a shocking tragedy, and the person responsible will be held accountable.”
As investigators pieced together the events of that night, they discovered evidence that suggested Booth’s mental state had deteriorated rapidly. According to police, she had behaved normally earlier that day. But after the attack, officers searching her belongings found suspected psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana in her purse. While it remains unclear whether she had consumed them, authorities believe drug use may have played a role in her sudden psychotic episode.
Police Chief Moore acknowledged the confusion surrounding Booth’s actions. “We’ve been asking ourselves why,” he said. “We aren’t sure why this happened, but there probably is a component with some drug usage.”
Booth’s behavior following her arrest only deepened the mystery. While being transported to the police station, she allegedly confessed to the killing, saying, “I did it,” and later, “I f*** him the f*** up — and yes, I did it… God, it was too easy.” During her arraignment on October 28, she refused to appear on camera for the Zoom hearing. Corrections officers reported that she stripped off her clothes, lay down in her cell, and refused to cooperate. The court proceeded in her absence, with her attorney entering a not guilty plea on her behalf.
Judge Lisa Gorcyca denied Booth bond, citing her as a “present danger to society” and a possible flight risk. She remains in custody pending her next court appearance scheduled for November 7. Prosecutors have not disclosed whether they intend to pursue an insanity defense or evaluate Booth’s mental health, though her behavior suggests that psychological factors may become central to the case.
For the Royal Oak community, the killing has sent shockwaves through what is typically considered one of Michigan’s safest suburbs. Neighbors expressed disbelief that such violence could erupt in a quiet residential area. “It’s horrifying,” one local resident told reporters. “You don’t expect something like this from someone who was supposed to be taking care of a child.”
Investigators have since focused on understanding Booth’s background and mental health history. She had no known criminal record, and acquaintances described her as quiet and unremarkable. The suddenness of her breakdown — from caretaker to alleged killer — has left those who knew her grasping for answers. Whether drugs triggered a psychotic reaction or an underlying mental health condition surfaced under stress remains uncertain, but authorities are treating the incident as one of the most disturbing crimes the city has faced in years.
A Family’s Unbearable Loss
As police continue to investigate, the Ong family is left to mourn the loss of their patriarch, whose final act was one of courage and love. David Ong was described by family and friends as compassionate, gentle, and deeply devoted to those he cared for. In his obituary, he was remembered as “deeply caring, a true friend and a steady source of encouragement and support” whose “favorite hobby was his family.”
Ong’s daughter, Kelley, shared a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, writing, “My father, David Ong, died tragically on Friday evening while protecting his cherished three-year-old granddaughter. The loss is immeasurable. Anyone who knows my dad knows that he is a gentle giant – a man of incredible kindness, love, and faith. I’ve often said he is simply the best man I know. He was a hero on Friday, but to me, he’s always been my hero.”
The post quickly drew an outpouring of condolences from friends and strangers alike, with many calling Ong’s death an act of ultimate selflessness. Royal Oak Police Chief Moore also offered public condolences, saying, “We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family as they cope with this tragic and senseless act of violence. No family should ever have to endure such loss.”
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As the case moves toward trial, the Ong family faces an agonizing wait for justice. Prosecutors have signaled that they will seek the maximum penalty for Booth if convicted, including life imprisonment without parole. Yet even a conviction cannot undo the trauma left behind — a toddler who survived an attack at just three years old, a family mourning the man who gave his life to protect her, and a community haunted by the randomness of the crime.
The tragedy has sparked broader conversations in Michigan about background checks and oversight for informal childcare arrangements. Since Booth had been a family acquaintance rather than a licensed caregiver, she was not subject to any regulatory screening. Some lawmakers have suggested that the case could reignite discussions around extending background verification to private babysitters, though others argue that such measures would not necessarily prevent isolated acts of violence driven by sudden mental breakdowns or substance abuse.
As investigators continue to gather evidence, they are expected to release toxicology results that could confirm whether Booth had consumed hallucinogens before the attack. Her erratic and violent behavior, coupled with her state of undress and incoherence afterward, has led experts to speculate that she may have experienced a hallucinogen-induced psychosis. Such cases, while rare, have been documented when users experience extreme paranoia or delusions, sometimes resulting in acts of self-harm or aggression.
Meanwhile, community members have organized vigils in honor of David Ong, celebrating his life and sacrifice. Friends recall his unwavering positivity, his commitment to family, and his gentle humor. Many who knew him say that his death, though tragic, reflects the essence of who he was — a protector and caregiver to the very end.
The toddler, though physically safe, will grow up with the scars of that night — scars that no child should have to bear. For her mother, the knowledge that her father died saving her daughter offers both solace and pain. The house where the tragedy occurred remains sealed off as a crime scene, a chilling reminder of the night when trust was betrayed and an ordinary evening turned into terror.
The story of Samantha Booth and David Ong is one of the most disturbing crimes in recent Michigan memory — a reminder that even the safest homes can harbor the unimaginable. As the case heads to court, the question of why remains unanswered. Was it drugs, psychosis, or a hidden instability that no one saw coming? For the Ong family, the reasons may never bring comfort. What endures is the legacy of a man whose final moments were spent protecting his granddaughter — a quiet act of love in the face of unspeakable violence.