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GoFundMe set up to fundraise for funeral of Charmaine ‘Mikki’ O’Shea, woman killed in Burleigh charity bin misadventure

“She was the most generous person someone could ever meet. She was such a joyful woman who always lived life vicariously.”

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An online GoFundMe page appears to be fundraising for the “final farewell” of a woman who became stuck and died in a Burleigh Heads charity bin earlier this week.

Queensland Police would not confirm the 43-year-old woman’s identity, but the GoFundMe page states the victim of the tragic misadventure was “Charmaine (Mikki) O’Shea”.

A woman’s body was found in a charity bin behind Stocklands Burleigh Heads Shopping Centre on Monday morning by a person who went to donate items.

It is believed the deceased woman stuck her head into the bin and was caught by the neck.

The organiser of the GoFundMe page Kasey Taylor from Burleigh Waters said it had been created “on behalf of the grieving family”.

“Mikki was a vibrant, creative and just all round (sic) amazing person who was a devoted single mother to her 3 kids,” it read.

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“She was the most generous person someone could ever meet. She was such a joyful woman who always lived life vicariously.

“The family of Mikki is going through a very difficult time as this was a horrible accident that no one could’ve expected. The family has still not been told the whole story.”

It is understood the Burleigh Heads woman had a history of rummaging in charity bins.

The statement on the page was critical of media coverage around the woman’s death, which police have deemed non-suspicious.

The GoFundMe page. Picture: GoFundMe screenshot
The GoFundMe page. Picture: GoFundMe screenshot

“The media has excelled at what it does best by demonising and demeaning a loving daughter, sister, niece, and devoted mother,” it read.

“I am asking that you donate to help support the family as they struggle with the difficulties of arranging her final farewell and all the extras associated with such a hard thing.

“We thankyou all so much for the love and support on behalf of the O’Shea family.”

The GoFundMe had raised $1010 of its $10,000 goal thanks to 19 donors on Wednesday morning, about 16 hours after it was created.

Tragic pictures inside car at charity bin death

A GOLD Coast woman found dead inside a charity bin outside a shopping centre died after becoming stuck, according to Queensland Police.

The 43-year-old woman’s death has been put down to “misadventure”, a police spokesman said.

It is understood the local woman, who lives at Burleigh Heads, had a history of scavenging in charity bins.

It is believed she stuck her head into the bin and was caught by the neck.

The crime scene outside the shopping centre. Picture: Glenn Hampson
The crime scene outside the shopping centre. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services firefighters were seen cutting the side of the bin and police were seen taking photos of the inside.

A green ute was parked nearby with the passenger side-door open.

Police have set up a crime scene after a woman was found dead inside a charity clothing bin outside a Gold Coast store at Stocklands shopping centre Burleigh Heads. Picture: NCA NEWS WIRE / Scott Powick
Police have set up a crime scene after a woman was found dead inside a charity clothing bin outside a Gold Coast store at Stocklands shopping centre Burleigh Heads. Picture: NCA NEWS WIRE / Scott Powick

The vehicle is understood to have belonged to the deceased woman.

Initial investigations indicate she drove herself to the scene, the Bulletin understands.

Firefighters cutting open the charity bin. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Firefighters cutting open the charity bin. Picture: Glenn Hampson

An assortment of items were seen inside the ute, including clothing and shoes.

A teddy bear was in the footwell of the vehicle.

A child’s Teddy Bear sits on the floor well amongst bags of clothes of a green Toyota Ute which was found parked at the crime scene at Burleigh Stocklands Shopping Centre after a woman was found dead inside a charity clothing bin. Picture: NCA NEWS WIRE / Scott Powick
A child’s Teddy Bear sits on the floor well amongst bags of clothes of a green Toyota Ute which was found parked at the crime scene at Burleigh Stocklands Shopping Centre after a woman was found dead inside a charity clothing bin. Picture: NCA NEWS WIRE / Scott Powick
Large amount of clothes on the front seat of a green Toyota Ute which was found parked at the crime scene at Burleigh Stocklands Shopping Centre after a woman was found dead inside a charity clothing bin. Picture: NCA NEWS WIRE / Scott Powick
Large amount of clothes on the front seat of a green Toyota Ute which was found parked at the crime scene at Burleigh Stocklands Shopping Centre after a woman was found dead inside a charity clothing bin. Picture: NCA NEWS WIRE / Scott Powick

Police were not able to indicate why the woman may have ventured into the charity bin.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The latest on the horror find came after police set up a crime scene following the discovery of the body by a member of the public donating items about 7am on Monday.

Emergency services at the scene. Picture Glenn Hampson
Emergency services at the scene. Picture Glenn Hampson

The area was surrounded by police tape and multiple emergency services workers were on scene.

Police have deemed the death non-suspicious. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Police have deemed the death non-suspicious. Picture: Glenn Hampson

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The charity bin is located behind Stocklands Burleigh Heads Shopping Centre.

Police vehicles surrounding the charity bin where the woman’s body was found. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Police vehicles surrounding the charity bin where the woman’s body was found. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Queensland Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene and attended, but a spokeswoman would not provide more information.

A police officer next to the charity bin. Picture Glenn Hampson
A police officer next to the charity bin. Picture Glenn Hampson

Customers arriving at the shopping centre about 9am were seen observing emergency services, seemingly curious about what has occurred.

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/police-set-up-crime-scene-after-womans-body-found-inside-charity-bin-on-west-burleigh-rd-at-burleigh-heads/news-story/59bd8ca6adb77d264a1dad506df25a61