- Charges dismissed against woman who housed homeless friend in storage unit
- Victim died from overdose before fire discovery
- Judge cites lack of criminal intent despite safety risks
- Case highlights gaps in emergency housing solutions
In a ruling that underscores the complex intersection of homelessness and legal responsibility, a Kentwood judge dismissed all charges against Morgan Wingeier on Thursday. The 32-year-old faced involuntary manslaughter and unlawful imprisonment accusations after her friend Corinne Abosamra died in a locked storage unit last November.
Court documents reveal Abosamra had been living in the 10x15-foot climate-controlled space for three days with Wingeier's knowledge. Forensic evidence confirmed the 33-year-old victim died from acute fentanyl intoxication hours before firefighters discovered her body during a blaze investigation.
Judge Amanda Sterkenburg emphasized that while Wingeier's decision to provide temporary shelter carried inherent risks, Michigan law requires proof of gross negligence for manslaughter charges. This tragedy stems from systemic failures in our social safety net, not criminal malice,the judge stated from the bench.
Regional Housing Crisis Context- Michigan's homeless population increased 18% since 2020
- Kentwood has only 3 emergency shelters serving 100,000+ residents
- Storage unit rentals as makeshift housing reported in 14 states
Legal experts note this case establishes important precedent regarding informal shelter arrangements. Unlike squatters occupying units without permission, Wingeier had explicitly authorized Abosamra's stay. The three-day occupancy period fell short of Michigan's 30-day threshold for establishing tenancy rights.
Fire investigators never determined the blaze's origin, though electrical malfunction remains the leading theory. Security footage showed Wingeier locking the unit at 2:17 PM - 47 minutes before smoke detection alarms triggered emergency response. Toxicology reports indicate Abosamra likely died between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM that day.
This case mirrors a 2019 Colorado incident where a church volunteer faced charges for letting homeless individuals sleep in unoccupied Sunday school classrooms. Like Wingeier, those charges were ultimately dismissed due to ambiguous intent requirements in state housing laws.