A routine act of charity turned deadly in Plantation, Florida, leaving locals stunned and demanding answers.
At a Glance
- A woman was found dead on Friday morning after becoming trapped in a clothing donation box in Plantation, Florida.
- The incident, which police are investigating as a tragic accident, occurred in a shopping plaza parking lot.
- The design of the bin, which has a small, one-way deposit slot, is believed to have been a factor in her death.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety of such donation bins and the welfare of vulnerable populations.
A Tragic Discovery in Plantation
A woman has died in Plantation, Florida, after becoming trapped inside a clothing donation bin. The grim discovery was made around 6:45 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, in the parking lot of a shopping plaza on the 8300 block of West Sunrise Boulevard.
Plantation Police and Fire Rescue responded to the scene and found the woman partially inside the bin and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have stated that there were no initial signs of foul play and that they are treating the death as a tragic accident.
A Potentially Dangerous Design
It is believed the woman was attempting to either retrieve or deposit items when she became stuck in the bin’s deposit mechanism. Witnesses and local residents described the dangerous nature of the bin’s design.
“It’s super sad. Just trying to get some fresh clothes … I’ve dropped clothes off in that bin, and the opening is super small,” one unnamed woman who had previously used the box told the Washington Times. “It’s kind of like at the post office when you put a package in. I can’t imagine someone trying to get in there.” The metal donation bin, which has since been removed from the property, had a pull-down chute designed to prevent theft, which likely trapped the woman.
Community in Shock
The incident has left the local community in shock and sadness. Crystal Flores, who works at a nearby business, told Local 10 News that the event was “very sad to hear.”
“I just hope that things do end up getting better—just more support for them because they do need it,” Flores said, referring to vulnerable members of the community. “They are human beings, and for something like that to happen—it’s just a sad accident.”
Police have not yet released the woman’s identity, pending notification of her family. They are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Plantation Police Department or Broward Crime Stoppers.
