Mom of 4 Found Dead in Trash Compactor After Likely Falling Down Garbage Chute

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Michelle Montgomery, a 39-year-old mother of four, was found dead in a trash compactor in a Brooklyn, New York public housing complex on February 1. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a news conference on February 13 that Montgomery's death appears to have been an accident, with the theory that she may have dropped an item in the chute and went to retrieve it, falling headfirst into the compactor.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of garbage chutes and compactors, which can pose serious risks to residents, especially in multi-unit housing complexes. It also raises questions about building safety protocols and whether more can be done to prevent similar accidental deaths in the future.

The details

According to investigators, Montgomery's dismembered remains were found in a plastic bag that had been processed through the trash compactor. While the official cause of death is still pending from the medical examiner, police believe Montgomery was likely crushed when the compactor was activated, as her injuries were consistent with being processed through the machine. Witnesses reported hearing screaming coming from the garbage chute and compactor area prior to the discovery of her body.

• On February 1, Montgomery's body was discovered in the basement of the Borinquen Plaza complex in Brooklyn.
• On February 13, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny held a news conference to provide an update on the investigation.
• Montgomery was last seen leaving a Mexican restaurant with a cousin around 1:20 a.m. local time on the night of her death.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The New York City medical examiner is still working to determine the official cause of Michelle Montgomery's death.