Woman Apparently Crushed by Trash Compactor in Building, Police Say

Authorities believe Michelle Montgomery, 39, accidentally fell down a garbage chute and into the compactor in a Brooklyn public housing complex.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The body of Michelle Montgomery, 39, was discovered on February 1 in the basement of a public housing building in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood. Police believe Montgomery accidentally fell down the building's garbage chute and was crushed by the trash compactor, though the medical examiner's office is still investigating the official cause of death.

Why it matters

This tragic incident raises concerns about the safety and security measures in place at public housing complexes, especially regarding access to garbage chutes and compactors. It also highlights the need for better monitoring and maintenance of these facilities to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.

The details

Investigators believe Montgomery had been trying to retrieve an item she dropped down the garbage chute when she fell head-first into the basement. Her body, found inside a black garbage bag, showed signs of severe injuries consistent with being processed through the compactor. Police say there was no evidence of a struggle, and the medical examiner determined she was still alive when she entered the compactor.

  • On January 31, Montgomery was out with her cousin and friends at a local restaurant until around 1:20 a.m.
  • Surveillance footage shows Montgomery entering the Borinquen Plaza building on her own around 1:39 a.m.
  • Witnesses reported hearing screaming from the building's garbage chute and compactor that night.
  • The next morning, workers cleaning the compactor room found Montgomery's remains.

The players

Michelle Montgomery

A 39-year-old woman who lived in the Gowanus Houses public housing development and died in an apparent accident at the Borinquen Plaza building.

Joseph Kenny

The New York Police Department's chief of detectives, who provided details on the investigation into Montgomery's death.

Anthony Echevarria

Montgomery's husband, who described her as a loving companion and mother to their four children.

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What they’re saying

“Our theory right now is that she may have dropped an item in the chute, went to retrieve it and fell head first.”

— Joseph Kenny, Chief of Detectives, New York Police Department (nytimes.com)

“She had a broken rib cage, deep slashes on her torso and head, and puncture wounds on her pelvis and thigh.”

— Joseph Kenny, Chief of Detectives, New York Police Department (nytimes.com)

“She was a loving companion and mother to our four children, ages 10 months, 11, 12 and 19.”

— Anthony Echevarria (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The New York City medical examiner's office is continuing to investigate the official cause of Michelle Montgomery's death.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for improved safety measures and oversight in public housing complexes, especially regarding access to potentially hazardous areas like garbage chutes and compactors, in order to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.