Royal Oak, Michigan – In a chilling incident that has left a quiet suburban neighborhood reeling, a 35-year-old nanny faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly stabbing an 83-year-old grandfather to death with a screwdriver while babysitting his 3-year-old granddaughter. The brutal attack unfolded in the basement of a family home on Sheridan Drive, witnessed by the terrified child, and escalated into a frenzied street chase that ended with the suspect's arrest. Authorities describe the crime as "absolutely horrific," highlighting the profound betrayal of trust in what should have been a routine evening of childcare.
The victim, David Ong, a retired real estate broker from Bloomfield Hills, was remembered by loved ones as a "gentle giant" whose final moments were spent heroically shielding his granddaughter from harm. Ong, who was a father of two daughters and grandfather to 11, had arrived at the home around 7:50 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the request of his daughter, Katie Ong, the child's mother. Katie, a psychotherapist, was out of town with her sister and had grown concerned when repeated calls and texts to the nanny went unanswered. What began as a simple welfare check spiraled into unimaginable violence, claiming Ong's life and exposing a dark unraveling in the life of the accused, Samantha Rae Booth.
Booth, a resident of Chesterfield Township, had been employed by the family for at least two years without any prior incidents, earning their trust through consistent caregiving for the young girl. Described in online profiles as a "spiritual warrior" and "lil weirdo" who shared uplifting TikTok videos about overcoming trauma and finding joy in everyday moments, Booth's public persona stood in stark contrast to the chaos she allegedly unleashed that night. Videos from earlier in the month show her frolicking playfully with the toddler, holding the child's hand and eliciting giggles during innocent outings – a bond that appeared unbreakable until the fatal evening. However, her final TikTok post on October 17 hinted at a deteriorating mental state, featuring her screaming manically at the camera with the caption "Ya'll ready?" – a post that, in hindsight, foreshadowed the breakdown to come.
According to court documents and police reports, Ong entered the $513,000 single-family home on the 4300 block of Sheridan Drive, a tree-lined street in this affluent Oakland County suburb near Detroit, to ensure his granddaughter's safety. When he failed to respond to his daughter's follow-up messages, Katie contacted her brother-in-law, the child's uncle, urging him to rush over. Arriving around 9:25 p.m., the uncle found the front door ajar and heard disturbing noises emanating from the basement. Descending the stairs, he encountered a nightmarish scene: Booth, covered in blood and exhibiting signs of a "manic state," standing near the motionless body of Ong, who had suffered multiple sharp force injuries to his head and hands from repeated screwdriver attacks. The toddler, unscathed but exposed to the horror, was also in the basement.
In a desperate bid for survival, the uncle fended off Booth's alleged lunges, grabbing the child and fleeing the house while she pursued them wielding the bloodied tool. Screaming for help as they bolted down the street, the pair drew the attention of vigilant neighbors who quickly ushered them to safety inside a nearby residence. Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore recounted the pandemonium in a press briefing: "She was actually chasing him down the street as he was screaming for help... She attacked the victim repeatedly with a screwdriver. An absolutely horrific crime." Witnesses later described Booth as "not coherent," muttering gibberish and stripping off her blood-soaked clothes in a disoriented frenzy, dropping the screwdriver in a driveway before attempting to evade capture.
Officers arrived on scene around 9:30 p.m. following reports of a man yelling for assistance and sightings of a naked woman "covered in blood" prowling the area. A brief foot chase ensued before Booth was subdued and taken into custody. Paramedics rushed to the home, where they found Ong unresponsive despite frantic lifesaving efforts; he was pronounced dead at the scene from complications of his wounds, as confirmed by the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office. The uncle and toddler were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries – scratches and bruises from the altercation – and released shortly thereafter.
During transport to the station, Booth allegedly confessed without prompting, telling officers from the back of the squad car, "I fed him the f up – and yes, I did it… God, it was too easy." A search of her belongings revealed suspected psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana, though toxicology results are pending to determine if impairment played a role in the attack. Booth, who has no prior criminal record, was arraigned on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in 44th District Court before Magistrate Donald Chisholm. In a bizarre courtroom twist, she refused to appear on camera or cover herself, lying naked in her cell as corrections officers urged compliance. Chisholm denied bond, deeming her a "present danger to society" with a high flight risk, and scheduled her next appearance for November 7.
Booth now faces six felony counts: first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), and three counts of resisting and obstructing police. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized the gravity of the case in a statement: "David Ong’s murder is a shocking tragedy and the person responsible will be held accountable... We should all be grateful for the brave actions by her uncle to rescue the two-year-old from this horrific and dangerous situation." The charges underscore the exposure of the child to the violence, as well as Booth's alleged assaults on responding officers during her arrest.
The tragedy has devastated the Ong family, who released heartfelt tributes painting a portrait of a man whose life was defined by quiet strength and unwavering devotion. Ong's younger daughter, Kelley Ong Smith, posted on social media: "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." Photos shared online depict Ong beaming alongside his wife, Jacqueline, cradling his granddaughter with evident joy – images now forever tainted by the events of October 24. A grandfather of 11, Ong's career in real estate spanned decades, but it was his role as family patriarch that endeared him most, friends and relatives say. "He was the rock we all leaned on," one family friend told local reporters, voice breaking. "To think he went there out of love and never came home... it's heartbreaking."
Royal Oak, a city of about 58,000 known for its vibrant downtown and family-friendly vibe, has been gripped by sorrow and disbelief. Neighbors on Sheridan Drive, a street of well-maintained colonials and manicured lawns, recounted the eerie normalcy shattered by screams that pierced the autumn night. "I heard yelling and looked out – it was like something from a movie," said resident Maria Gonzalez, who sheltered the fleeing uncle and child. "That poor little girl saw it all. How do you even process that?" Community vigils have sprung up, with candles and flowers piling at the home's doorstep, and local leaders calling for increased mental health resources amid speculation about Booth's state of mind.
As investigators await forensic results, questions linger about what triggered Booth's alleged rampage. Her social media trail reveals a woman grappling with personal demons – posts about "sacred sanctuaries" and healing from trauma – but no overt red flags that alarmed the family. Experts in childcare safety, speaking generally, note the rarity of such betrayals but stress the importance of background checks and open communication. "Two years of trust doesn't make someone infallible," said Dr. Elena Ramirez, a child psychologist at Oakland University. "This is a wake-up call for families everywhere."
The Ong family, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of healing. Katie Ong has temporarily halted her psychotherapy practice to grieve and support her daughter, who is receiving age-appropriate counseling. "We're leaning on each other, as Dad always taught us," Kelley told reporters outside the courthouse. "His light – that kindness – it doesn't go out. We'll carry it forward for our little one."
In a community unaccustomed to such raw violence, the loss of David Ong serves as a stark reminder of life's fragility. As November's chill sets in over Royal Oak, the quest for justice presses on, with Booth's trial poised to unearth more layers of this unfathomable story. For now, the basement where heroism met horror stands silent, a somber testament to a grandfather's ultimate act of love.
