Vibrant and spirited grandmother, 43, found dead inside burning clothing donation bin in upstate NY

The body of a “vibrant and spirited” grandmother was found in a burning clothing donation bin in upstate New York last week, authorities said.An officer on routine patrol noticed the blaze in a donation bin in Glen Falls, about 50 miles north of Albany, around 2:30 a.m.Thursday, the Glen Falls Police Department said in a statement.

Firefighters responded to extinguish the flames but shockingly found the body of Michelle McFarren, 43, inside the bin, cops said.She was identified after a forensic autopsy, which ruled her cause of death to be “fire-related injuries,” according to police.Funeral arrangements have been made for McFarren, whose large crew of family and friends have described her as a “vibrant and spirited individual who lived life with a joy and energy that touched everyone she met,” according to her obituary.She is from the Glen Falls area, police said, though her obituary notes she also has ties to Bennington, Vt.McFarren also attended Salem Washington Academy in Salem, New York, her obituary noted.“She was known as the life of the party, always ready to share a laugh, dance, sing, or indulge in a shopping spree.Her presence was magnetic, and she could always be counted on to bring warmth, fun, and light into any room,” it added.

McFarren is survived by her mother and four children, two grandchildren and one soon-to-be-born grandchild.She is also survived by her former husband and five siblings.Though the exact circumstances around her death have not yet been confirmed, Glen Falls Mayor William Collins said McFarren may have sought refuge in the clothing box from the outside elements.

“A human being and member of our community lose her life in a clothing donation bin in which she may have sought refuge from a cold rainy night,” Collins said in a statement Friday.“This is a stark reminder for our community that, even while Glen Falls has extraordinarily strong services for people who are unhoused and/or in emotional distress an...