She was the trusted nanny… until she snapped, stabbed an 83-year-old grandpa DOZENS of times with a SCREWDRIVER in front of his terrified toddler granddaughter—then stripped NAKED, smeared in blood, and chased the family screaming into the street.

What twisted rage turned a quiet welfare check into a blood-soaked nightmare? The little girl watched it all… her hero grandpa’s final stand to shield her from the blade. Drugs? Demons? The cops’ chilling discovery in her purse will haunt you.

The full, gut-wrenching police files—don’t say we didn’t warn you. 👉 Click now, if you dare →

In a suburban Michigan neighborhood where front doors are often left unlocked and kids play freely in the streets, a routine welfare check spiraled into a scene of unimaginable horror on October 24, 2025. David Ong, an 83-year-old grandfather known for his gentle demeanor and unwavering devotion to family, arrived at his daughter’s Royal Oak home to ensure the safety of his 2-year-old granddaughter. What he encountered instead was a nightmare: a trusted nanny in the throes of what authorities described as a “manic state,” armed with a screwdriver and driven by an inexplicable fury. Ong was stabbed dozens of times in a brutal attack that played out in the basement, right in front of the terrified child. As if the savagery wasn’t enough, the nanny—35-year-old Samantha Rae Booth—allegedly pursued family members outside, stripped naked and covered in blood, before being apprehended after a chaotic foot chase. Ong’s death has left a family shattered, a community reeling, and prosecutors vowing swift justice in what one police chief called “an absolutely horrific crime.”

The evening began innocently enough, or so it seemed. Ong’s daughter, Katie Ong, was out of town on business, leaving her young daughter in the care of Booth, a 35-year-old woman who had worked as the family’s nanny for nearly two years. Booth, described by acquaintances as reliable and unassuming, had no prior criminal record, according to court documents. But around 7:50 p.m., Katie grew concerned when her attempts to reach Booth went unanswered. Trusting her father’s proximity—he lived nearby in Bloomfield Hills—she called and asked him to stop by the cozy cottage-style home on Sheridan Drive, just off Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, a quiet enclave of Oakland County known for its tree-lined streets and family-oriented vibe.

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Samantha Booth, 35, was found naked and covered and blood after allegedly stabbing David Ong, 83.Facebook/Samantha Booth

David Ong, a retired engineer and devout family man, didn’t hesitate. At 83, he was no stranger to playing the role of protector. Friends and relatives painted him as a “gentle giant”—tall, soft-spoken, with a faith rooted in his Catholic upbringing that guided his every action. He was the father of four, grandfather to 11, and a pillar for his wife, Jacqueline, after more than 60 years of marriage. Ong arrived at the home, let himself in through the unlocked front door—a common practice in the low-crime suburb—and called out for his granddaughter. What happened next remains under investigation, but police affidavits paint a gruesome picture: Ong descended to the basement, where Booth allegedly flew into a rage, attacking him repeatedly with a screwdriver. Sources close to the probe told reporters he was stabbed “dozens and dozens of times,” his body left crumpled on the concrete floor amid pools of blood. The toddler, strapped into a playpen nearby, witnessed the entire assault—a trauma that child psychologists warn could scar her for life.

Ong’s final moments were nothing short of heroic. Despite his advanced age and the ferocity of the attack, he reportedly positioned himself between Booth and the child, shielding her from harm. “David Ong’s last selfless act to save his granddaughter tells you all you need to know about him,” a family friend told local media in the days following the incident. Paramedics would later arrive to find the elderly man unresponsive, his body riddled with puncture wounds from the makeshift weapon. Despite frantic efforts at the scene, Ong was pronounced dead on the spot, his death certificate listing multiple stab wounds as the cause. The screwdriver, a common household tool, had become an instrument of unimaginable violence in the span of minutes.

The horror didn’t end there. As Ong lay dying, the nightmare escalated. Katie, sensing something was terribly wrong after losing contact with her father, placed a desperate call to her brother-in-law, 58-year-old Douglas Smith. Smith, a resident of Bloomfield Hills and a longtime family member, rushed to the scene. Upon entering the home, he was met with pandemonium: the front door ajar, an eerie silence broken only by faint cries from below. Descending to the basement, Smith encountered Booth in what investigators described as a “manic state”—her clothes soaked in blood, eyes wild, screwdriver still clutched in her hand. There, on the floor, was his father-in-law, lifeless and surrounded by carnage. The toddler wailed from her playpen, unscathed but petrified.

In a blur of adrenaline and instinct, Smith scooped up the 2-year-old and bolted for the exit. But Booth, undeterred, gave chase. Wielding the bloodied screwdriver, she lunged at him repeatedly as they fled through the house and out into the cool October night. Neighbors on Sheridan Drive, drawn by the screams, watched in disbelief as the pursuit spilled onto the street. Smith, fending off the attacks with whatever strength he could muster, shielded the child while dodging blows. “He repeatedly fended off continued attacks from the nanny until he was able to escape,” Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore recounted in a press conference, praising Smith’s bravery. The uncle and niece finally found refuge in a nearby home, where horrified residents barricaded the door and dialed 911. The toddler and Smith sustained only minor injuries—scratches and bruises—but were treated and released from Corewell Hospital later that evening.

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David Ong, 83, was killed while trying to defend his 3-year-old granddaughter at his daughter’s home Friday.Facebook/Kelley Ong Smith

Booth’s rampage took an even more bizarre turn outside. After abandoning the chase, she halted in the driveway, dropped the screwdriver, and began stripping off her blood-soaked clothes. Witnesses described her standing naked under the streetlights, screaming incoherently, her body smeared with the evidence of her alleged crime. She fled on foot, a ghostly figure darting through the neighborhood, until officers arrived minutes later. A brief pursuit ensued—Booth, hands still stained red, was tackled and handcuffed blocks away. In her purse, recovered at the scene, police found suspected psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana, items now under forensic analysis to determine if they played a role in her apparent breakdown. Toxicology reports are pending, but early accounts suggest no immediate signs of intoxication; rather, the “manic” behavior points toward a possible mental health crisis or substance-induced psychosis.

First responders swarmed the home, their flashlights cutting through the darkness like searchlights on a battlefield. Inside the basement, the full extent of the tragedy unfolded: Ong’s body, cold and still, amid scattered toys and laundry. The screwdriver lay discarded, its tip crusted with blood. Crime scene technicians meticulously documented every detail—blood spatter patterns suggesting a frenzied assault, the child’s untouched playpen a stark reminder of the innocence caught in the crossfire. “This was not a quick death,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald stated gravely during Booth’s arraignment. “The victim was attacked repeatedly, viciously, in a manner that no one should ever endure.”

By October 28, Booth faced the full weight of the justice system. Charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of assaulting a police officer, the 35-year-old was arraigned via Zoom from Oakland County Jail. But the hearing devolved into chaos: Booth, refusing to cooperate, stripped naked in her holding cell and screamed obscenities at the screen, forcing the judge to proceed in her absence. Bond was denied, with McDonald arguing she posed an ongoing threat. “The defendant’s actions were premeditated and depraved,” the prosecutor said, citing the pursuit of the child and family as evidence of intent. Booth’s court-appointed attorney entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf, hinting at a mental health defense. Preliminary hearings are slated for November, with trial potentially months away.

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Booth had been working for the family for two years and had no criminal record before the gruesome slaying.Royal Oak Police Department

As the legal gears grind forward, questions swirl around Booth’s background. Hailing from the Detroit area, she had built a reputation as a dependable caregiver, posting cheerful updates on social media about playdates and crafts with local families. No arrests, no red flags—at least on paper. But her brother, Danny Booth, spoke to reporters in a rare family statement, expressing bewilderment. “We don’t recognize this person,” he said, his voice cracking. “Samantha was always the stable one, the caretaker in our family.” Whispers among investigators point to underlying issues: possible undiagnosed bipolar disorder or a recent stressor, though nothing concrete has emerged. The discovery of psychedelics in her bag has fueled speculation—Michigan law classifies psilocybin mushrooms as a Schedule I substance, and experts note their potential to trigger acute psychosis in vulnerable individuals. “This could be the missing piece,” a forensic toxicologist told Fox News, speaking anonymously. “One dose, and reality shatters.”

For the Ong family, the pain is raw and unrelenting. Katie Ong broke her silence on Facebook, her words a poignant eulogy amid the grief: “My father, David Ong, died tragically on Friday evening while protecting his cherished 3-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.” Tributes poured in from across Oakland County: purple ribbons tied to mailboxes in Ong’s honor, his favorite color; a makeshift memorial at the home with flowers, stuffed animals for the granddaughter, and notes reading “Hero Grandpa.” Ong’s funeral at Desmond Funeral Home drew hundreds, including lifelong friends who shared stories of his volunteer work at church soup kitchens and his habit of slipping grandkids extra ice cream. Jacqueline Ong, now widowed, has retreated from the spotlight, but sources say she’s channeling her sorrow into supporting her daughter and the toddler, who is undergoing counseling for the trauma.

Douglas Smith, the unsung hero of the night, has shied from the limelight. Approached at his Bloomfield Hills home, the 58-year-old declined comment but was seen comforting family at the services. His quick thinking—grabbing the child, evading attacks, and securing safety—likely prevented further tragedy. “Doug’s a rock,” a relative told the Detroit Free Press. “He didn’t think twice; he just acted.” The toddler, too young to articulate her ordeal, clings to stuffed animals in therapy sessions, her innocent world forever altered by the violence that erupted in her basement.

This case has ignited urgent discussions on childcare safety and mental health screening. Royal Oak, a city of about 60,000 with a median income pushing $80,000, prides itself on community vigilance—neighborhood watches, parent groups on apps like Nextdoor. Yet Booth’s clean record underscores a harsh reality: Danger can lurk in the unlikeliest places. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reports thousands of caregiver-related incidents annually, often tied to undetected mental health issues. “We vet nannies through references and backgrounds,” says Lisa James, a local childcare advocate. “But how do you screen for a breakdown?” Michigan lawmakers, spurred by similar tragedies, are eyeing bills for mandatory mental health disclosures in home-based care. Prosecutor McDonald, a vocal reformist, has pledged to push for tougher penalties in elder abuse cases, where victims over 60 already face enhanced charges under state law.

Broader societal ripples extend to substance abuse. The mushrooms found in Booth’s possession highlight Michigan’s evolving cannabis landscape—legal since 2018—but the unregulated world of psychedelics remains a gray area. Experts from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration warn that hallucinogens can exacerbate latent conditions, turning users into unwitting threats. “It’s not just about the high; it’s the crash,” one clinician explained. In Royal Oak, support groups for families of the mentally ill have seen a spike in attendance, with attendees grappling with the “what ifs.”

As winter approaches the quiet streets of Sheridan Drive, the house stands silent, evidence tape fluttering like ghosts in the wind. For the Ongs, healing is a distant horizon, marked by court dates and therapy appointments. David Ong’s legacy endures not in the headlines of horror, but in the love he instilled—a father’s shield extended across generations. His granddaughter, now safe in her mother’s arms, may one day learn of the man who stood between her and the blade. Will justice bring closure? Or will the echoes of that screwdriver’s strikes linger, a grim reminder of vulnerability in the heart of suburbia? Only time—and the courts—will tell.

In the meantime, Royal Oak mourns a hero lost too soon, and a family forever changed. Booth remains behind bars, her next appearance a test of the system’s resolve. For now, the basement light stays off, but the community’s watchfulness burns brighter than ever.