Construction workers in Michigan made an unexpected discovery on the roof of a grocery store—a hidden living space inside an oversized billboard, complete with a desk, pantry, and even a houseplant.
According to reports from US media outlets, construction workers stumbled upon the inhabitant while investigating an extension cord on the roof of the Family Fare supermarket chain store. The cord led to a secret living area within the large billboard, which included a small desk, flooring, a stocked pantry, and a potted plant.
“This is something I’ve never seen in my career,” said police spokesperson Brennon Warren to the Midland Daily News on Wednesday regarding the April 23 discovery. The 34-year-old woman had reportedly been living inside the billboard for about a year, Warren continued.
The newspaper further reported that police nicknamed the woman the “Rooftop Ninja.” She was informed by authorities that she needed to find alternative housing, although no criminal charges were filed against her. The woman was offered housing assistance and other forms of support, which she declined.
It remains unclear how the woman gained access to the billboard and managed to evade detection for over a year. Police suspect she had access to a vehicle and held a job, though not at Family Fare. The former resident has been barred from re-entering the store, but the store management agreed to remove the furniture from the roof and return it to the woman.
Family Fare operates nearly one hundred stores across seven Midwestern states, with the majority located in Michigan. The company also has a presence in North and South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
