In a tragic incident in upstate New York, a grandmother, known for her vibrant spirit, was discovered in a burning clothing donation bin last week, according to local authorities. A police officer on routine patrol in Glen Falls, approximately 50 miles north of Albany, noticed the fire around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday. The Glen Falls Police Department reported that firefighters were dispatched to the scene to put out the fire.
Upon extinguishing the flames, firefighters made a shocking discovery. The body of 43-year-old Michelle McFarren was found inside the donation bin. McFarren was identified following a forensic autopsy, which determined her cause of death to be injuries sustained from the fire, as per the police report.
Funeral plans for McFarren are underway. Her large circle of family and friends remember her as a lively and spirited individual who lived life with an infectious joy and energy that touched everyone she encountered, as stated in her obituary.
McFarren was a resident of the Glen Falls area, according to the police. Her obituary also mentions her connections to Bennington, Vermont. She was an alumnus of Salem Washington Academy in Salem, New York. Known for her vivacious personality, McFarren was often the life of the party, always ready to share a laugh, dance, sing, or go on a shopping spree. Her magnetic presence brought warmth, fun, and light into any room, her obituary further noted.
McFarren leaves behind her mother, four children, two grandchildren, and one grandchild on the way. She is also survived by her ex-husband and five siblings. The exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear. Glen Falls Mayor William Collins suggested that McFarren might have sought shelter in the clothing donation bin from the harsh weather conditions.
Authorities are currently investigating two 911 calls made from the area in the hours leading up to the fire. Mayor Collins expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating that it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those who are unhoused or in emotional distress, despite the strong services available in Glen Falls. The police are appealing to the public for any information about McFarren’s whereabouts between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 5.