ALBAWABA In a bizarre turn of events, a woman was discovered living inside a grocery store sign in Michigan, where she had apparently made her home for an entire year.
The startling revelation came to light when contractors, engaged in routine maintenance work on the roof of a Family Fare Supermarket in Midland, stumbled upon the woman and her makeshift living quarters on April 23.
According to reports from the Associated Press and USA Today, the woman had ingeniously fashioned herself a dwelling within the top portion of the triangular sign, accessible through a small door.
Midland Police Officer Brennon Warren, who humorously dubbed her "the Roof Ninja," described the scene as they found "some flooring that was laid down," along with essential amenities such as a mini desk, clothing, a Keurig coffee maker, a printer, and even a computer.
The mystery deepened as authorities puzzled over how the woman had maintained continual access to the roof, a question that remains unanswered to date. She disclosed to officers that she had been residing there for approximately a year, vanishing from sight intermittently, leaving no trace of her whereabouts.
"People would see her from time to time and then all of a sudden she would vanish," remarked Warren, as per USA Today. "No one really knew where she went, but no one ever indicated or thought that she would be up on top of the roof."
Following the discovery, the woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly agreed to vacate the premises after police addressed her living situation. She was escorted from the property and instructed not to return. Despite being offered information about services for unhoused individuals, she declined assistance, as reported by MLive.com.
Remarkably, no charges have been filed against the woman, who is said to be employed, albeit not at Family Fare. SpartanNash, the parent company of Family Fare, issued a statement commending their employees for responding "with the utmost compassion and professionalism" to the unusual situation.
The incident serves as a reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness of individuals facing challenging circumstances. While the circumstances leading to the woman's unconventional living arrangement remain shrouded in mystery, her story underscores the importance of empathy and support for those in need within our communities.
