Woman found deceased in Massachusetts encampment fire remembered for smile, kindness

A woman killed in a Massachusetts encampment over the weekend is being remembered.

At just after 8:15 p.m. Saturday, a Massachusetts State Police trooper responded to a small brush fire in the area of the Blackstone River Bikeway near Route 146 in Millbury. Once on scene, the trooper located the victim in an encampment, where the fire is believed to have originated. He notified Millbury Fire Department, which fully extinguished the fire, and the Millbury Police Department.

The victim, an adult, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of her death and conduct a formal identification procedure.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Maryann Audette was the fire victim.

“Maryann faced many struggles in her life, including a long battle with addiction, which ultimately led her to experience homelessness. Despite these challenges, Maryann was loved dearly by her family and friends who remember her for her kindness, her smile, and the times she brought joy into their lives.”

The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by Millbury Fire, Millbury Police, and State Police assigned to the offices of the State Fire Marshal and Worcester District Attorney.