Woman Found Dead in Trash Can in Sheepshead Bay

A woman was found dead inside a trash can at a parking lot near Plumb Beach in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, prompting an ongoing NYPD death investigation.

Police responded to the area off the Belt Parkway shortly after 3 p.m. after receiving a 911 call about an unresponsive woman. First responders found the woman inside a trash can, and paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

The Brief

The discovery was made at the Plumb Beach parking lot near the Belt Parkway and Knapp Street. Investigators remained at the scene for hours as detectives collected evidence and examined the area.

Authorities have not released the woman's identity. News 12 reported that she was approximately in her 40s, while other reports said her age had not yet been publicly confirmed.

The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is expected to determine the cause and manner of death.

What We Know

The NYPD has not publicly confirmed that the woman was the victim of a homicide. The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.

ABC7 New York reported that investigators were examining the trash can and collecting evidence from the parking lot. Police had not disclosed an obvious cause of death or confirmed whether the woman had suffered trauma.

NBC New York reported that investigators had not yet determined who placed the woman's body inside the garbage container or how long she may have been there.

The area around Plumb Beach is relatively quiet and is used by people visiting the beach and surrounding waterfront. The discovery brought a significant police presence to the parking lot as investigators worked to establish what happened.

What’s Next

The medical examiner's findings will be important in determining how the woman died and whether the death should be treated as a criminal investigation.

The NYPD is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery. As of the latest reports, the woman's identity had not been released and no arrests had been announced.