A man whose body was found dangling from a clothing donation bin in New Jersey was a drifter who was apparently scavenging for clothes, police said.
A woman made the discovery Sunday afternoon at a donation box located in the parking lot of a convenience store in Pemberton Township, police said. The woman said she called police after noticing the man's legs hanging from the bin. Her husband tried to free the man, but he was already dead.
Pemberton Township Sgt. Peter Delagarza told The Philadelphia Inquirer it's likely the man became stuck after sticking his head inside.
Delagarza said that the way the man was positioned made it impossible for him to get out.
Known as a transient in the area, he likely stopped at the bin to find something, Delagarza said.
"That's probably what he was there doing, just trying to find some clothes," he said.
Police were still trying to notify his family Monday and have not released his identity.
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The director of a local nonprofit that assists the homeless told the Burlington County Times the organization had heard the man may have been a client but was waiting to hear from police.
"It does get cold at night now," said Madelyn Mears-Sheldon, director of the Christian Caring Center. "I'm praying he wasn't looking for something to keep warm."
Pemberton police Lt. Brian Wechkus said the death remains under investigation, though no foul play is suspected.
