Top inset: Corinne Abosamra (Borek Jennings Funeral Homes). Bottom inset: Morgan Wingeier (Kent County Jail). Background: The storage unit where Abosamra’s body was found (WOOD).
A Michigan woman faces charges in the death of a woman whose charred remains were found in a padlocked and burned storage unit.
Morgan Wingeier, 32, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and unlawful imprisonment in the death of Corinne Abosamra, 33, court records show.
The events leading to the grim discovery allegedly began at 12:26 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Broadmoor Self-Storage in Kentwood. That evening, a fire was reported when smoke was seen in several units.
Firefighters had to cut a lock on unit 454 and discovered Abosamra’s body inside after the fire was put out.
“Somebody found inside of a storage unit, that’s not a normal circumstance,” Kentwood Police Department Capt. Jason Roelofs said. “(Kentwood PD is) trying to rule out whether it was foul play or something that we’ve seen in the past where people have lived in storage units in the area.”
Abosamra had been trapped inside with no phone for 10 hours before the fire was reported, local NBC affiliate WOOD reported, citing court records.
Authorities quickly tracked down the defendant who allegedly rented the storage unit. The defendant’s mother reportedly said her daughter and Abosamra had a previous relationship. She said her daughter had allowed Abosamra, who was homeless, to stay in the unit.
The defendant was found the following day at a hotel. She allegedly told police she planned to return to the storage unit sooner than she intended to unlock it, but “things she was doing took longer than she expected,” WOOD reported, citing court records.
She allegedly said she locked the unit because she did not want to reveal that Abosamra lived inside.
The victim was remembered as loving and selfless.
“Growing up, her family remembers Corinne as a caring family leader, extremely gifted with many talents,” her obituary said. “Corinne loved music from an early age: she was a pianist, clarinetist, guitarist, and singer. She spread her joy of music through piano recitals, with Solo and Ensemble, band, teaching her little sister the piano, and songwriting.”
She attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. While in college, she volunteered in the Best Buddies International program, dedicated to creating friendships and supporting people with disabilities. After graduation, she worked in digital marketing, web and graphic design, hospitality management, and customer service.
“She affected the lives of so many and spread so much joy. She lived her life passionately — sincerely wanting to change the world. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten,” the obituary continued.
The suspect was being held in the Kent County Jail with bond set at $50,000, online booking records show. She’s set to appear in court on Thursday. Court records show she was found guilty of methamphetamine use in 2023.
